Hello Merge Tag: Where Social Media and Politics Intersect

In this episode of Hello Merge Tag, we checked in with Myles Bugbee, a digital strategist with decades of experience in the field. He’s worked with numerous campaigns, agencies and advocacy organizations, including a stint as the National Digital Director at For Our Future and as the Digital Director for Senator Jon Tester’s 2018 reelection campaign. He now has his own boutique digital firm called Persuasion and Pixels that helps campaigns and causes run more effective and efficient digital programs. In our overly fragmented world, Myles lays out the importance of trusted messengers and talks about how to use digital to cultivate a group, not of supporters, but of advocates for your campaign or cause. “[I started] recognizing the value of moving past that transactional context, and moving to really building a two-way relationship with your supporters.” Throughout the conversation, we talked about How to build and manage vibrant digital communitiesThings to consider before getting startedThe importance of seeing community as larger than just a group of people you can treat as an ATMCampaigns doing interesting and innovative things with digital community buildingThe power of relational persuasionWhy testimonials and user-generated content (UGC) mattersHow to approach digital communities differently if you’re a downballot candidate, compared to running a statewide race And much more! Connect with Myles on Twitter or LinkedIn and find his firm Persuasion and Pixels. Stream all episodes at hellomergetag.com or wherever you stream podcasts.

In the inaugural episode of Hello Merge Tag, we checked in with Jacob Malinowski, a digital fundraiser with Goodman Campaigns, a firm dedicated to helping downballot, pro-choice candidates raise money through email, text and direct to donate ads. He was recently involved in the Janet For Justice race, as Janet Protasiewicz ran a successful race for Wisconsin State Supreme Court. Jacob and his team helped raise $1.1 million for the campaign. We checked in with him to find out how they did it, and what they learned along the way. Jacob shared loads of tips and specific takeaways, including some “magic words” he uses (or rather avoids), the benefits and dangers of starting with templates, how to write downballot emails that feel genuine and authentic and so much more. Listen to all episodes at HelloMergeTag.com or wherever you stream podcasts.