Omar Bennett
Walk cards are an essential component of any political campaign. They are a tangible way to introduce a candidate to voters and are used by canvassers to discuss key campaign values. Walk cards are also known as push cards, palm cards, or political printing. They are an effective way to deliver a clear and concise message and are often used alongside other campaign literature, such as direct mail. Walk cards are usually small, with limited space, so it is important to keep the text short and use eye-catching headlines and subheads. They should also include visually appealing images and a simple logo to help voters remember the candidate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Importance | An important component of any field campaign |
| Purpose | To deliver your message in a clear and exciting way; to introduce your candidate to voters; to win over the community |
| Content | Core 3-4 issues; logo; candidate's name; images/photos |
| Style | Concise; pointed headlines; colourful |
| Format | Folded; double-sided; variety of sizes |
| Printing | Union printing (for Democratic candidates) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Walk cards are an important component of any field campaign
Walk cards are typically small, so it's crucial to keep the content concise and to the point. Focus on highlighting your core campaign values and issues, rather than including too much detail or a full bio of the candidate. The card should feature the candidate's name and logo prominently, and it should be visually appealing, with eye-catching headlines and engaging images that show the candidate interacting with regular people.
Union printing is also an important consideration for walk cards, especially for Democratic candidates. Using a union printer demonstrates a commitment to treating employees fairly, and it may be politically advantageous as well. If possible, choose a union printer located within your area.
In addition to their content and design, the practical considerations of walk cards are important. They should be a convenient size for canvassers to carry around and hand out, and they should be printed on high-quality paper to ensure durability. Optional features such as rounded corners can also help reduce wear and tear.
Overall, walk cards are a powerful tool for any field campaign, allowing candidates to connect with voters and deliver their message in a clear and memorable way. By following best practices for content, design, and printing, campaigns can create effective walk cards that help them win over voters and ultimately, elections.
Direct Mail Effectiveness in Political Campaigns
You may want to see also
How to create great campaign walk cards
Campaign walk cards are an important element of any field campaign strategy. They are a great way to introduce your candidate to voters and give your canvassers something tangible to discuss at the doors. For many voters, the campaign walk card will be their first interaction with your candidate. Here are some tips on how to create great campaign walk cards:
Understand your campaign message
Great campaign walk cards start with a firm understanding of your campaign message. You want to make sure your walk cards stand out and represent your message and brand.
Keep it concise
Walk cards are small, so you need to keep your copy short and concise. Cut the copy, and then go back and cut it again. Feature only your core three or four contrasting issues and save the rest for your political direct mail or website.
Get the sizing right
Walk cards should not be too big, as they need to be easy for canvassers to carry around and use at the door. The best walk cards have folds, which provides more surface area and more opportunities to introduce your candidate to voters.
Include images
Images can speak louder than words, especially on a tiny walk card. Avoid boring candidate headshots and instead, include photos of your candidate engaging with regular people.
Use union printing
If you are running as a Democratic candidate, you should use union printing for your walk cards. Union printers treat their employees fairly, and there may be political benefits to using a union printer for your campaign walk cards.
Include your candidate's name and logo
Be sure to feature your candidate's name prominently on every side of the walk card with text. Include a simple logo to brand your political communications and help your candidate's name sink in.
Kamala Harris: Democrat or Republican?
You may want to see also
The importance of union printing for Democratic candidates
Walk cards are an important element of any field campaign strategy. They are tangible items that canvassers can use to introduce their candidate to voters at the doors and help deliver a campaign's message in a clear and exciting way.
For Democratic candidates, it is important to use union printing for walk cards. Union printers treat their employees fairly, paying livable wages and providing good benefits. They also invest in training for their staff, ensuring that the print job is done by a trained professional. This is especially important when working within tight timelines. Using union printers signals a commitment to good, union jobs and shows that the candidate stands with working people and their unions.
Beyond the potential political benefits, there are also practical considerations. Union printers are experienced in producing high-quality, effective campaign materials, from direct mail to banners. They can help ensure that the walk cards are eye-catching and well-designed, with concise messaging and strong visuals.
When creating walk cards, it is important to keep them short and concise due to their limited space. The card should include the candidate's name and logo, with simple and strong branding. Including images of the candidate engaging with regular people can also make a difference.
In summary, for Democratic candidates, union printing is a must for walk cards. It demonstrates their values, supports unions, and ensures a high-quality product that effectively communicates their message to voters.
Organizing a Political Campaign: South Carolina Strategy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Walk cards are not policy papers
Walk cards are an important component of any field campaign. They are tangible items that canvassers can use to introduce their candidate to voters and deliver their message in a clear and exciting way. However, walk cards are not policy papers.
Walk cards are often a voter's first interaction with a candidate, so it is important that they stand out and represent the campaign's message and brand. They should include a simple logo and eye-catching headlines that summarise the body copy. The candidate's name should be prominent on every side of the card with text, and images of the candidate engaging with regular people are also encouraged.
While walk cards are an important element of a campaign's field strategy, they are not meant to be a comprehensive policy paper. Instead, they are a way to quickly and effectively introduce the candidate and their key values to voters. Including too many issues will prevent any of them from resonating with the voter. The more detailed policy information is better suited to political direct mail or the "issues" section of a campaign website.
Voters' Concerns: City Funding and the Voice of the People
You may want to see also
The benefits of print materials over digital
Political campaigns have embraced digital platforms, but print materials remain essential to any election campaign. Print materials offer several benefits that digital platforms cannot replicate. Firstly, print materials provide a tangible aspect to a campaign, giving supporters something to hold and display, such as posters, leaflets, or walk cards. These physical items can be pinned in windows, held up at rallies, or handed out during door-to-door canvassing, creating a direct and enduring connection with voters.
Printed materials are also highly customizable and can be tailored to specific areas or issues. They allow candidates to showcase their campaign messages, values, and policies in a concise and exciting way. For example, walk cards, which are small, folded cards, can introduce a candidate to voters, highlight key issues, and serve as a conversation starter for canvassers. They are an important element of any field strategy and should be designed to stand out with eye-catching visuals and concise, impactful text.
Print media is often considered more trustworthy than digital content. It is meant to be impartial, allowing candidates to present facts without the distractions or skepticism sometimes associated with digital platforms. Printed brochures, for instance, can outline a candidate's plan and allow voters to study and get to know the candidate better. Additionally, print materials can be more cost-effective than television or radio campaigns and can have a more significant impact than an unopened email.
Print and digital strategies should be combined for maximum campaign impact. For instance, posters can be designed with the digital world in mind, using the same creative and eye-catching designs online and offline. This consistency helps increase visibility and keep the candidate's name, face, and message in the public eye. By blending traditional print materials with digital strategies, political campaigns can create a comprehensive and memorable presence.
Support Kamala Harris: Ways to Get Involved and Make a Difference
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Walk cards are an important component of any field campaign. They are tangible items that canvassers can use to introduce a candidate to voters at their doors and help deliver a campaign's message in a clear and exciting way.
Walk cards are a great way to highlight your key campaign values in one versatile place. They are often used as handouts for rallies, parades, and canvassing neighbourhoods, as well as direct mailing inserts.
Walk cards should include the candidate's name and logo, as well as 3-4 core issues that are important to the campaign. It is also beneficial to include eye-catching headlines and engaging images of the candidate interacting with people.
Walk cards come in a variety of sizes, but it is important to consider something that is not too big for canvassers to carry around. Folded walk cards provide more space to introduce your candidate but will be more expensive to produce.
There are many companies that specialise in printing political campaign materials, such as Voter Contact and Print Place, which offer a range of sizes and finishes for push cards.
