What can today’s election marketing strategies teach us about growing a business? Are there insights from high-stakes campaign tactics that we can apply to boost our practice? And what are three crucial election marketing lessons that can elevate your business strategy right now? In this episode of The Practice Profit System, I get into these questions, exploring the idea that “Nothing can kill a bad company faster than a great advertising campaign” and why this principle was a pivotal factor in the recent election campaigns. Join me as we explore how election marketing lessons, drawn from the highs and lows of campaign strategies, can provide practical insights for your marketing and growth.
A key theme we discuss is how spending does not equal success—a lesson made clear when comparing ad spend across the recent campaigns. For example, the Harris-Walz campaign invested over a billion dollars in advertising, while the Trump campaign spent closer to half that amount. Yet, the differences in message clarity and audience targeting were striking. This comparison highlights how understanding your market and crafting clear, targeted messaging can be more impactful than simply increasing your ad budget. Effective marketing is about creating earned media and establishing credibility without relying solely on massive ad spends. In this episode, I break down three election marketing lessons that can help transform your approach: the importance of message clarity, the value of targeted messaging, and the role of earned media as a tool to reach audiences authentically.
The clarity of a campaign's message can determine its effectiveness, as seen in how well—or poorly—candidates communicated their positions. For instance, data indicates that voters felt Trump understood their concerns more than Harris. This sense of connection emerged from Trump’s use of relatable messaging, emphasizing voter concerns over economic hardships, whereas Harris’s campaign often highlighted different priorities. This episode demonstrates why crafting messaging that resonates with your target audience is one of the best strategies to engage potential clients. By aligning your message with what matters most to your audience, you not only engage them more effectively but also increase their likelihood of seeing your practice as a solution to their problems. We’ll explore how election campaigns reveal the importance of a sharp message and offer for connecting with clients and growing your business.
Another powerful election marketing lesson is how earned media plays a pivotal role in today’s marketing landscape. Earned media, whether it’s word of mouth, podcasts, or social media, enables you to build brand awareness organically. The Trump campaign made effective use of earned media, capitalizing on alternative media outlets to reach more diverse audiences. In contrast, Harris’s campaign relied heavily on paid advertising, such as large ads in Vegas, which lacked a targeted approach. We’ll explore why generating earned media through content like podcasts, interviews, and video shorts can be a highly effective way to build trust and credibility for your practice. Just as the election highlighted how earned media can influence public opinion, this approach can be a game-changer in attracting clients without overextending your marketing budget.
Ultimately, this episode underscores the practical applications of election marketing for any business owner. Spending millions on ads won’t guarantee success if the message doesn’t resonate, and targeting the right audience is crucial. For practice owners, understanding the needs of your market, crafting relevant messaging, and utilizing earned media can foster better client relationships and help your business grow steadily. The strategies drawn from these campaign lessons emphasize aligning your message with what’s important to clients and staying flexible to adapt to their needs.
Tune in as I break down each of these election marketing lessons in detail. If you’re looking for more strategies on applying these insights to your business, don’t miss our upcoming one-day event in Phoenix, where we’ll dive deeper into these concepts and help craft a personalized plan for your practice. Be sure to listen, and don’t forget to explore more of our content to find more actionable strategies for your business growth.
