With key local and national races in the United States having a significant effect on public policy that impacts people's daily lives, advertising in political campaigns has played a major role in how people become aware of candidates and their platforms. Political ads on social media in particular have grown exponentially.
Historically, prominent political advertising examples included direct mail, radio, TV, and print media like newspapers. Today, candidates and elected officials must have an online presence, and social platforms like Facebook and Twitter are top priorities for outreach and communications.
How Have Political Ads on Social Media Changed the Election Landscape?
Social media for political candidates has become expected. Its planned and dynamic elements provide an intimate forum to engage directly with potential voters on their terms, in their platform of choice. In contrast, political advertising methods are one-way communications.
On social platforms, feedback on campaign ads is instantaneous, allowing candidates who are paying attention the opportunity to quickly adjust their messaging and strategy if the campaigns receive a lackluster response or low engagement. Social media activity can even affect public policy, with many crediting public outcry on Twitter for the rollout of free COVID tests. Social engagement has also affected the language and imagery used in campaigns as a result.
Challenges & Advantages of Political Ads on Social Media
Many websites have banned political advertising permanently or in cycles. Today, most social media platforms allow political ads, but social media is not held to the same standards as broadcasting. Social media sites can opt to disallow specific political advertisements or even ban candidates from the platform. This is dissimilar to TV and radio stations, which must provide airtime regardless of whether they agree with a candidate's party or message.
While there is an option to promote social posts that costs money, anyone, and any business, can open a social media account and post and engage with their audience, for free. Established insiders and grassroots candidates have used social media to spread their messages, solicit donations, find volunteers, and get constituents registered to vote.
However, microtargeting can be a challenge. Online engagement may not translate to eligible voter turnout, so ad campaigns must attract users who live in the candidate's district rather than support a specific policy. Privacy regulations concerning user data compound the challenge, as well as finding enough potential eligible voters who are also online.
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Political ads on Social Media as Part of a Cross-Channel Approach
Highly targeted print media, streaming audio, and other cross-channel strategies should be used for both national and local campaigns to reinforce messaging, add more touchpoints, and enhance social strategies.
- Media Now Interactive's unique political campaign products like VoterMatch and Omnipoint:
- Our products access data providers to see where successful political ads are and when they were run. VoterMatch helps to provide more data and drive performance by tapping into over 200+ data providers with one powerful tool. Media Now’s Omnipoint System can determine where and what to buy to help advertisers maximize their exposure in local markets while conserving their budget.
- CRM Targeting:
- Programmatic and hyper-local targeting methods help candidates find eligible voters where they live and also integrate with Facebook and Google ads.
- OTT Advertising:
- Over-the-top (OTT) advertising is a highly effective way for candidates to connect with voters, particularly as more people have moved away from traditional cable in favor of online streaming. OTT ads are delivered through devices such as computers, tablets, and Smart TVs. Through services like Netflix, Hulu, and more, messaging seamlessly reaches the devices in use, . Politicians can also hyper-target and segment their reach on OTT platforms using first-party data, resulting in ads that drive results.
- Streaming Advertising:
- Digital audio ads on podcasts and other streaming services are the modern equivalent of radio advertising. As voters' media consumption habits shift, political advertising must follow suit.
- Magazine and Print:
- While digital ads have become a powerful force in political advertising, millions of voters still trust print media like magazines. This is especially crucial for local targeting, like electoral districts. Magazine ads can help address current issues, remind voters about elections, and deliver powerful messaging to users who have developed a connection to their favorite magazines and have come to enjoy the information inside.
- While digital ads have become a powerful force in political advertising, millions of voters still trust print media like magazines. This is especially crucial for local targeting, like electoral districts. Magazine ads can help address current issues, remind voters about elections, and deliver powerful messaging to users who have developed a connection to their favorite magazines and have come to enjoy the information inside.
As digital and hybrid media strategies become integral to successful voter outreach efforts, your communications staff needs proper support from experienced political advertising professionals. Contact Media Now Interactive today to request more information on our political advertising services.
