Birthdayta!

We just created a new word…

October is birthday month in our family. Mine, daughter, sister-in-law, mom, two cousins, dozens of friends, you get the idea.

Last week’s longer-form blog focused on texting.

Today’s Serve60Sharp is a mashup!

This post is more for the elected and candidate subscribers among you, but for the rest, I hope you’ll see the impact of it on a handheld screen near you!


Think about your inbox around your birthday… All the businesses are “so happy” for your big day. Here are just a few of the birthday greetings currently in my inbox:

1.     A local brewery sent me a free tiramisu soaked in Kahlua and their stout.

2.     Sonic sent me a small side.

3.     Loft sent me $10 and Lands’ End sent me $50!

4.     My dentist.

5.     Anna’s orthodontist (for which I am the phone contact).

From my elected officials? Crickets.

Why aren’t incumbents and candidates using the most basic of voter data points to maximize their relationships with voters? If you have a voter list, (insert shameless plug here: don’t buy one – save time and money, use VoteSharp!), you have the birthdates of every voter. One column of data, SO MUCH VALUE!

You’ll have to use a texting service unless you’re willing to sit at your phone for hours, but here are a few ideas:

  • Basic: Happy Birthday text with a fun graphic puts your name in a voter’s phone. Plus, on most phones, when you text those words and the recipient opens the text, they’ll get a little haptic buzz and balloons flying over their screen!
  • Next Level: Double the benefit by partnering with a small business in your district to offer an exclusive freebie or discount when the voter presents the text. Then make sure you work with owners to know which voters redeemed the offer.
    1. You connect with a voter, giving them something of value, while also promoting a local business, giving them an opportunity to earn a new client.
  • Teacher’s Pet: Personal phone calls!

More birthday ideas coming soon. Until then, happy serving!

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