“Online With a Shoestring Budget”

From e.politics, which form of new media?

Email

Pro
Still the most effective tool for staying in touch with supporters

Con
List exhaustion; declining effectiveness over the coming years?

Blogs

Pro
Good way to raise the profile of your issues; helps engage other bloggers

Con
Time-consuming; content must be compelling

Blogger Relations

Pro
Helps you spread the word and shape the online discussion; raises your profile

Con
VERY time-consuming

Video

Pro
Visceral medium; video-sharing sites can spread your message

Con
Good video is hard — your content must be compelling

Social Networking

Pro
Way to reach new supporters; can be a communications channel in its own right

Con
Low response rate; possibility of platform change (witness Friendster)

Social Media

Pro
Can yield more and better content than you could generate on your own; helps bond supporters to your campaign

Con
Requires heavy promotion; requires filtering

Wikis

Pro
Good internal campaign communications tool, particularly when married to an email list

Con
Can be hard to get people using it

Cell Phones

Pro
Allows you to reach supporters where they are; quick response

Con
Provider limitations; message length