Campaign Toolkit
YouTube: Engage supporters, raise money and spread your message via YouTube, the world's largest online video community.
- Use the power of online video to engage millions of potential voters, volunteers, and donors and stimulate interest in your campaign.
- Leverage the power of voter-generated content for your campaign.
- Drive fundraising through a Google Checkout "Donate" button (only open to Federal candidates).
A "Politician" Channel on YouTube: Your Video Opportunity
YouTube has become an essential tool for political campaigns. Our You Choose '08 platform has allowed the presidential candidates to connect directly with millions voters online. Now we're expanding our platform beyond the presidential campaign to include Congressional, Senate, and State races. If your campaign is interested in the opportunity, please email at youchoose08@youtube.com to find out more.
With a free "Politician" Channel on YouTube, campaigns receive their own personalized channel page to post campaign footage, speeches, question-and-answer sessions, or behind-the-scenes footage.
Features include:
- Official designation as a "Politician" channel.
- Enhanced design and branding capabilities, including a personalized banner advertisement to be displayed across the top of the channel that links back to a home website.
- Extended video upload capability (extended length uploads, and up to 300 MB per video file).
You will be in complete control of the content on your YouTube channel, and we encourage you to use it to connect with voters in a meaningful way. YouTube is not just another TV screen for political commercials, but a window into your campaign through which voters can learn about your character and your ideas. We hope you take this opportunity to join our political community today - to get started, please send us an email at youchoose08@youtube.com.
To see examples of great YouTube political channels, follow these links:
- http://youtube.com/user/JohnMcCaindotcom
- http://www.youtube.com/BarackObamadotcom
- http://www.youtube.com/MarkWarner08
- http://www.youtube.com/GovernorMattBlunt
- Reach out
Post videos that get people talking, and then stay in the conversation with comments and video responses. YouTube is community, and two-way communication is the norm. - Flood the system
Upload everything you can - speeches, television appearances, meetings, campaign footage, etc. Putting your views into the discussion insures that your message is heard. - Keep it fresh
Upload new videos regularly and keep them short – ideally under 5 minutes. Fresh, original content keeps people interested in your message. - Spread your message
Distribute your videos through emails and embeds. Let supporters spread your message through social networks. Use the YouTube community to your advantage. - Be genuine
High view counts come from content that's compelling and authentic. Overly political messages often fall flat. This is your chance for a more relaxed, personal dialogue.