tips to get ready for office

Every candidate, even veterans of the political process, must take a personal inventory before each election to be sure that private and family issues are taken care of before the campaign starts. This includes making sure that the candidate does not have any financial, personal, or legal issues which may come up and hurt him or her during the campaign. The candidate should also make sure that he or she can make the time commitment and family commitment that running for and holding office entails.

Candidates need to know their district. While your

Running a successful campaign requires mound of research, even in the smallest districts. The candidate should gather all the information he or she can, including past election data, maps of the precincts and polling places, election regulations for your community, voter lists, research on issues important for your race, and information about your possible opponents.

One of the best ways to learn about issues and meet community activists at the same time is to the meetings of every local group that you can. This includes meetings for the local Republican party, as well as community organizations, service groups, town watch committees, town council meetings, and anywhere that issues of import are discussed and local leaders congregate.

Organization meetings aren

Equally important to meeting local leaders is meeting the local press. Establishing a good report with local editors, producers and reporters will help the campaign garner earned media further down the road.

It is of utmost importance that candidate and potential candidates stay up on current events, both in the world at large and in the local community. Set aside some time each day to read through the local newspapers, magazines, and watch local news reports. If the district is large, have volunteers in various parts of the district clip news items of interest and send them to the candidate for review. Also, be sure to keep up with the latest political campaign trends and tactics. One great way to do that is by subscribing to the Local Victory Newsletter.

The months before the campaign gets started are a great time for the candidate to polish his or her public speaking skills. Work with a speech coach, family member or friend to perfect your deliver of prepared and impromptu speeches. Consider videotaping yourself for added analysis and practice.It

Packing your gym bag full of stuff you need (and love!) is my first tip to go from sweaty-mess to office-chic. To get your bag gym-ready, the dollar store or bargain shops are great places to pick up the essentials (I even found my name brand deodorant for half the drug store price)! Travel bottles are something you may already have laying around the house and these are perfect for your gym bag. Fill them with your own shampoo, body wash, and lotion. No need to carry big bottles in your gym bag! When you

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