This week, I’ll be working with the next generation of young organisers as they learn to create really good, really effective campaigns. And not just in the theoretical sense, but with hands-on experiences. Literally, how to build a campaign from scratch.
I’m doing this with Campaign Bootcamp, a project I’ve worked with for three years now in various roles. My involvement started when I led a training session on The Tools in 2012; since then, BSD has gone on to become a sponsor for the week, and I’ve become an organiser who heads up a day of tech-focused workshops. And in this time, Bootcamp has gone on to be selected as one of The Guardian’s New Radicals, which honors projects making a real difference in communities.
The goal of this program is to build a foundation of success (and a community of peers) for campaigners in the UK, whether they’re working for NGOs, political campaigns or starting their own initiatives.
I keep doing this because it matters to me—and it matters enormously to the Bootcampers I’ve met. Many of them brought their talents to the Labour Party, the Green Party, Greenpeace, and The Guardian. And they’ve often reminded me of a lot of important lessons from my own career.
Anyone can (and should) learn how run a campaign.
You are your greatest asset, so dive in with HTML, learn the platforms, and write the emails. Technology can feel especially daunting for new campaigners, but not only are there great tools out there (including The Tools), there are skill-shares and tutorials for basically every facet of web development. As for email, most of us have more experience writing a Tweet or updating a Facebook status, but in a world where email is still the best way to attract supporters, this skill is a must.
Aim high—and then go a little bit higher.
A good campaign strategy is one that has the goal at its heart. This may seem like an over-simplification, but success isn’t just a single milestone—it’s a series of well-built efforts to create awareness, activate supporters, and make change. It’s one (very important) thing to grow a campaign to bring attention to a specific moment, such as the People’s Climate march last month. But it’s just as important to ask, what comes next?
Lean on your community.
Bootcamp isn’t just about skills training—it never has been. It’s about building a network for the future: every single campaigner leaves with a community of friends and peers who can (and do) support them in their later work. As a campaign organiser, it’s important to rely on your network, and let them rely on you.