CommenTATE

Watch out class of 2011 because Hill College House is about to become Capitol Hill. Whartonite and Hillite Keith Williams is now class president.

I previously posted ten tactics that win class office. Well, more deserve recognition.

What’s new?

1) Be Fast, Be First. Keith Williams told me that he woke up early on the first campaign period day to purchase Facebook Ads at 6 a.m. I live in Hill College House, and around 8 a.m. I saw a flyer for Keith slide under my door. No other advertisement was placed under my door until the next day.

2) Political Marketing. Keith Williams explained to me that he “marketed [himself] as a chill guy, someone you could relate to.”

And market he did. Indeed, his Facebook group’s description highlighted how he was “NOT [his] student body president.”

3) Research the Opposition. College freshman Grant Dubler, who won a UA seat, campaigned after he understood his opponents’ methods. Dubler said, “Less chalk. More walk.” He realized those who put up too many signs did not have as much time to meet more people.

4) Candidate Face Time. Never underestimate the value of face time. Most candidates were only seen in an image on a flyer or a wall ad.

I tracked Keith on the campaign trail. I saw him in common rooms from Hill College House to the Quad to Du Bois College House. Keith campaigned without appearing that he was campaigning–afeat few can accomplish.

College freshman Laura Jean Kemp said, “The first time I met Keith he talked with me and we…listened to music. I’m glad he won because he’s not too busy for the little people.” Kemp voted for Williams.

What worked?

1) Campaign Team. Williams told me he had a dedicated campaign team of close friends that papered the Quad, high rises and Hill, as well as put up big signs across campus. College freshman Adam Behrens, Freshmen Class Vice President, said, “I relied on a group of close friends who would go with me around campus to put up posters and chalk together.” Likewise, Engineering freshman Mario Lanao, Freshman SEAS Representative, enlisted volunteers.

2) The Power of Hill. It’s a goldmine of votes and victor indicator — like Iowa in U.S. Politics. Dubler lives in the Quad and said, “Hill was very important. Other candidates in the Quad dismissed the power of meeting people in Hill.”

The new Freshman Class Board and Undergraduate Assembly members had what it took to win, now let’s see if they live up to their standard of not only less chalk, but also less talk, and more walk. If not, they smiled like a politician and followed rule seven.

This is a special edition of CommenTATE.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 at 4:40 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.