How to Run an Internet Campaign Like Ron Paul

By eHow Culture & Society Editor

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Ron Paul's rise from a little-known Texas congressman to a political sensation in the 2008 presidential election was fueled largely by his campaign's unique use of the Internet. Paul's campaign used the Internet to organize, fund raise and reach supporters who could not be reached through traditional media. While his bid ultimately fell short, he finished fourth in delegates and set fundraising records.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Market your campaign on YouTube. Post video clips of speeches and short videos highlighting your campaign's main themes. Ron Paul maintained the lead in most YouTube subscribers throughout the 2008 primary campaign.

Step2

Use your website as a way to get small money donations. Ron Paul set a one day fund raising record of $6 million during the 2008 campaign and also had a $4 million day. Almost all of this money was raised using his website instead of lavish fund raisers and most of it came from small donors giving less than $100.

Step3

Target issues which appeal to young voters. Because young people tend to be more heavily involved with Internet media, look for issues which appeal to youth. Ron Paul's opposition to the Iraq War, emphasis on personal freedom and opposition to the war on drugs made him an attractive candidate to young people.

Step4

Organize people on the Internet to meet in person. The Ron Paul campaign used the website Meetup as a way for supporters to find each other and organize their independent events. Ron Paul supporters often got together and planned low-cost promotions to gain visibility in traditional media, such as sign waving in front of television news cameras.

Step5

Make news in the traditional media with your online success. Campaigning on the Internet is new and different and Ron Paul often got newspaper and television coverage because of the level of his Internet support. The Paul campaign used this to their advantage by asking people to donate money on certain days to set notable fund raising records.