The views expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their very own.
Every election in the US is incredibly essential for good governance at all levels, whether local, state or national. But there is no denying that our quadrennial presidential elections are especially essential, and especially in recent years, when divisions and partisanship have made it difficult for politicians to cross party lines and work together.
Elections are also essential to every business owner. The people we elect to function elected officials—especially at the national level—help shape economic policy and market access, which has a direct and profound impact on the bottom line.
No matter which political party you are feeling closer to, and whether you wish your organization to take a similar stance, you should utilize election season to build momentum and increase revenue, improve your organization culture—or each!
If you wish what you are promoting to develop into more lively this election season, try one of the five suggestions below.
1. Build engagement with creative content
Election season is a great time to try something more creative with social media and other digital content. Remember the 2008 presidential election? That’s when AirBnB introduced two “new” breakfast cereals in honor of the two important candidates — Obama O and Cap’N McCain.
Luckily, you don’t have to spend that much money or make that much effort to make a splash. Instead, up your TikTok game and create some short, memorable videos to share. If video isn’t your thing, memes are a great alternative, as they’re just as visual and relatively easy to make with today’s graphic design tools (Canva even has pre-sized templates for your creative content).
Think about content that addresses the latest election issues and events. As a content author and creator, I’ve advised web corporations on this in past election seasons. Perhaps you may interview local candidates for office. Alternatively, create a few sophisticated and eye-catching infographics that help explain key election issues, specific candidate platforms and how they differ, or procedural elements of local voting. You don’t have to create a whole latest channel or account either. Plan your content fastidiously to fit in with other posts and still have an impact.
2. Get to work in your community
Elections aren’t just about winning or pushing for an advantage. They’re also about citizenship and civics, human rights, and community engagement. Your company or organization can get involved at this level by sponsoring voter registration drives, debate watch parties, community outreach events, workshops, meet-the-candidate events, and more.
Consider becoming a corporate donor to a political motion committee or sponsoring other issue-focused promoting initiatives. Support causes that impact your community, team, or company. Aligning your brand with a political or social issue that is relevant to your organization’s values helps you reach consumers who share those values.
3. Help your employees communicate more effectively about the issues that concern them
It’s no secret that the United States has develop into exponentially more divided and conflicted in recent years, especially on political issues. We should all do our part to foster simpler and respectful communication skills.
So why not start in the workplace? I’ve met founders of corporations that provide their employees communication workshops that acknowledge the growing hostility in public discourse and use frameworks like role-playing to help explore higher alternatives to shouting or calling the other person names.
And don’t forget to lead by example: show your team that you just take the subject seriously by attending workshops in person and require the same from all management. Continue by working together on a latest respectful communication policy for your organization, with the participation of your employees.
4. Make it easy for your employees to vote
Long wait times, close voting at the top of the ballot, polling place “consolidation” (which provides communities fewer opportunities to vote in person for the same or much more voters) — all of these aspects are putting additional pressure on existing polling places across the U.S. and making it increasingly difficult for many people to vote.
As an employer, you are in a unique position to help mitigate or even remove these obstacles, even if you’ll moderately not get involved in politics. Consider these moves:
- Conduct voter registration drives before Election Day and encourage staff to make the most of early and absentee voting options available in your state, if any exist.
- Give every worker paid day without work to go to the polls during work hours. This way, employees don’t have to lose pay, pay extra for childcare, or add hours to their workday.
- Offer shared or group rides or transportation to polling stations from your workplace or office.
At the very least, you may ask your employees what would make it easier for them to vote. Then think of ways to make that occur.
5. Host Election Day-themed sales or special events
Finally, consider hosting a sale or other special shopping event around the election season. While gifting away “show us your ‘I voted’ sticker” type giveaways is probably not a good idea, it might even be illegalthere are many other ideas you may implement:
- Create themed collections of products or services based on nonpartisan electoral themes, similar to “Voice of the People,” “Freedom,” or “Unity.” Display these collections prominently in your store or window and encourage customers to vote for their favorite theme. The winning theme can then be featured in a special promotion or sale after the election.
- In the run-up to voting, encourage customers to vote on the amount of discount you’ll offer on election day.
- Designate a local charity to which you’ll donate a portion of your election-themed sale proceeds.
- Organize an on-site event to view the contest results and award prizes.
Encouraging others to vote and participate in the democratic process is a key part of being a good corporate citizen, as well pretty much as good business. Get creative and implement one or more of these ideas—or one of your personal—to help each voters and sales. Just remember to focus on supporting the issue and the election process in general, as opposed to specific candidates, to avoid creating a politically hostile and toxic corporate culture.