A CRM (customer relationship management) also named Constituent Relationship Management in Politics is a technology that handles all the supporters, donors or constituents ‘contacts.
It allows building long-term relationships, collecting data, and interactions linked with key stakeholders.
A political CRM offers a clear view of everyone that you try to reach like donors, voters, and volunteers. Plus, it is a centralized and efficient way to build contacts and manage long-term relationships with your supporters.
Besides this, using the political CRM you can track interactions and organize voters to keep them involved in the present or future endeavors.
Why are spreadsheets not a better choice than Political CRM?
Managing a political campaign or running a mandate as an elected official is a challenging task.
To build relationships with your people and retain your supporters requires a great effort. Organizing all the information related to your audience or campaigns using excel spreadsheets does not work well : loss of data, respect of privacy, loss of time to send emails, text messages, etc.
This is where the need to familarize yourself with political CRM along with some specialized programs and products comes in.
Spreadsheets Are Designed For Data And Not For People
Spreadsheets help to manage the data linked with political campaigns. Whereas a political CRM is tailored to build relationships with stakeholders and manage them.
Spreadsheets Silo Data
A spreadsheet can sort and store the data and it is present in one computer with limited analytical ability. On the other hand, a cloud-based CRM makes sure that everyone in your team can access real-time data. The best part about using political CRM is that your data has been backed up on a safe server.
Spreadsheet Has Limited Lifespan
Usually, the data stored using spreadsheets is limited to one computer and maintained by an individual. In case some problem occurs in the computer or file, or that individual leaves, the data may be lost forever. On the contrary, the data on the CRM is safely stored with a backup on the server. Also, anyone with the required permissions can access the data.
The Tools And Dashboard Of Spreadsheets Are a Little Difficult To Use
A user-friendly political CRM features easy-to-understand tools and dashboards that catch the essential points you are required to know. Whereas on the spreadsheets platforms, one can make reports but it is confusing and tricky to learn. With political CRM, you can simply log in and see the essential data points that you need. Also, the ideal CRM contains pre-built reports that you can use to make a custom report using the data already saved in the system.
How to find the best CRM for your Political Organization?
A political CRM is a wonderful investment for your organization, institution, movement or campaign. With various options available in the market, it may be a confusing task to choose the ideal one. But you can follow the below-listed steps that might help you make the right decision.
Channelize your CRM needs
Before inspecting the various CRM options, it is important to be aware of the needs and functions that you want to do with your CRM. The possible functions may involve:
● Manage contacts
● Open limited access to local chapters
● Organize actions (phonebanking, canvassing, GOTV campaigns, events etc.)
● Volunteer management
● Email Integration or Text messaging
● Compliance with privacy laws
Figure out Functionality
Before searching for CRM options, you may consider the following points:
● Analyze the basic data point that you require to know
● Your maximum spending limit and budget
● The number of people who will use this platform
● Any other platforms or programs that you need to sync with the political CRM
● The amount and type of the data you want to store
● The requirement of customizations and Flexibilities
● The reports that need to run
Decide the CRM Type
There are various types of CRM available that are basically categorized into two major types: Political CRM and Business CRM. Each CRM has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the functionalities and requirements you reviewed above.
Here are the key points of both of the CRM types. After reviewing them, you might figure out whether you need a political CRM or not.
Features of Political CRM
● Manage contacts, lists, targeted communication
● Volunteer Management
● Email Integration & Text Messaging
● Manage events
● Manage voter contacts and large volume of contacts
● Manage privacy laws
● Manage duplicates
And more...
How is Political CRM useful for Political Campaigning or while running your mandate?
After reviewing the key features of a political CRM, now it's time to have a look at the points that how CRM for politics can be helpful during campaigns but even more before running or
Let’s dive in:
Fights Abstention and Target Your Potential Voters
The participation rate varies from election to election. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the phenomenon of voter abstention gets amplified that had never been noticed before.
Political CRM allows you to be more productive and especially to focus on the electorate using public digital data.
Build Database and long-term relationships aside from election periods
With the help of political CRM, you can build databases and relationships over time.
In addition to this, you can easily import affiliates, contacts, members, and supporters.
Also, you can access the most recent data of any member or supporter. Political CRM allows keeping track of the constituents, voters, members, and volunteers.
The concept of Permanent Campaigning
At Qomon we believe in permanent campaigning. It means you never stop campaigning, meeting people, citizen consultation, events etc. It allows you to create lasting relationships, maintain social ties between constituents and politics but even fight against misinformation.
