How to Create a Political Image

One of the most important ways in which a political candidate or aspiring political candidate can increase their widespread appeal is the image they project. In a political culture where personality and likability are more important than policies and promises, any candidate that stands a chance of winning must present an image to which constituents can relate. Creating a political image must conform to your ideological base as well as reach out to constituents outside your base.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide which political party you want to affiliate yourself with. To do this you will have to decide how you feel on key issues like separation of church and state, abortion, gun control, and gay rights. The party that aligns most with your own ideologies is the party you should choose.

2. Research popular Presidents and Congress members from your party. You will need to look at polls and political analysis to determine which characteristics constituents most identified with. This analysis will help you figure out which traits are most appealing to voters as well as how to best execute these traits.

3. Study your political idols. If you identify as a Republican, you should look to Ronald Reagan as a guide on which you base your image. If you identify as a Democrat you will want Bill Clinton as the template on which you'll base your image. Both politicians are well-known figures with big personalities and images that reached out to a much larger political base than their less exciting political counterparts.

4. Choose your wardrobe. A major part of any politician's image is their clothes. Although blue suits are a standard uniform for most politicians, you also need to consider clothes that highlight your image for personal appearances with potential voters. A good example to follow is George W. Bush and his infamous cowboy hat and jeans that were a frequent staple of his Camp David wardrobe.

5. Practice your speech. Your style and method of speech should be consistent with the image you're creating. Regardless of political ideology, your speech should reflect this image. If your image is that of a Southern good ol' boy then your speech shouldn't be stiff and formal. Likewise if you want to run as a New England conservative then your speech shouldn't be peppered with slang and odd sayings. It's important that you style of speech is consistent with your entire image, or you will appear phony to voters.

6. Live this image. It is important once your image is created that you live it to the fullest. You should engage in photo opportunities that illustrate you participating in activities true to your image. If you're a conservative, you should make sure you're seen hunting or going to church. If you're liberal you should get a photo op participating in hiking or helping the poor. These activities will go a long way in helping you create a believable political image.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit small town voters likely to be attracted to your image.
• Make friends with political allies cut from the same cloth.
• Don't stray from your image in public.