The views expressed by the business participants are their own.
Every US election is very important for good governance at all levels, be it local, state or national. However, it cannot be denied that our quadrennial presidential elections are very important, and that is especially true in recent years when divisions and partisanship have made it difficult for politicians to cross party lines and work together.
Elections are also important for all business owners. The people we elect to serve as elected officials – especially at the national level – help shape economic policy and market access, all of which have a direct and profound impact on your bottom line.
Regardless of which political party you feel closest to, and regardless of whether you want your business to take a similar stance, you can use the election season to gain momentum and drive revenue or improve company culture — or both!
If you’d like to help your business be more efficient this election season, try one of the five suggestions below.
Related: Contested Election Coming. Here’s How to Consider Your Options This Election Season
1. Build engagement with creative content
Election season is a great time to try something more engaging with your social media and other digital content. Do you remember the 2008 Presidential election? That’s when AirBnB introduced a “new” cereal in honor of two great people—the Obama O’s and Cap’N McCain.
Fortunately, you don’t need to go to that kind of expense or effort these days to make a splash. Instead, up your TikTok game and make short, memorable videos to share. If video isn’t your strong suit, memes are a great option because they’re visually appealing and easy to put together thanks to today’s graphics software tools (Canva has pre-sized templates perfect for your creative content).
Consider content that responds to the latest election news and developments. As a writer and content creator myself, this is a place I’ve consulted for online businesses during past election seasons. Maybe you can interview the candidates for office. Alternatively, create detailed and eye-catching infographics that help explain critical election issues, specific candidate platforms and how they differ, or aspects of the local voting process. You don’t have to create a new channel or account. Plan your content carefully so you can time it between your other posts and make an impact.
2. Find a job in your area
Elections are not just about winning or squeezing profits. They are about citizenship and community, human rights and community involvement, too. Your company or organization can be involved at this level as a sponsor of voter registration drives, debate viewing groups, community service efforts, workshops, meet-the-candidate events and more.
Consider getting involved as a business donor to a political action committee, or by sponsoring other issue-driven advertising programs. Avoid causes that affect your community, your team or your business. Aligning your brand with a political or social issue that is important to your company’s values helps you reach consumers who share those values.
Related: Poll Asks Small Business Owners What They Really Care About in the 2024 Election — The Results Are Surprising
3. Help your employees speak effectively about issues that concern them
It’s no secret that in recent years, the US has become increasingly divided and conflicted, especially politically. We must all do our part to help develop effective and respectful communication skills.
So why don’t you start working? I’ve met founders at companies that provide social media for their employees who acknowledge the growing hostility in public discourse and use frameworks like role-playing to help explore better alternatives to yelling or name-calling.
And don’t forget to lead by example: Show your team that you are serious about the topic by attending the workshop yourself, and demand that all senior managers do the same. Follow up by working together on a new respectful communication policy for your company, and your employees’ opinions.
4. Make it easy for your employees to vote
Long waiting times, competitive ticket races, “consolidation” of polling places (so that the public has several options for in-person voting for the same number or a large number of voters) – all these things are included. more pressure on existing polling places in the US and making it harder for more people to actually vote.
As an employer, you’re in a unique position to help reduce or eliminate those barriers altogether, even if you’d rather not get political. Consider the following steps:
- Before Election Day, host voter registration and encourage workers to use the early voting and mail-in procedures available in your state, if available.
- Provide paid time off so that each employee can go to the polls during working hours so they don’t lose wages, pay extra for childcare or extend their workdays for more hours.
- Offer rideshare or group transportation to the polls from your workplace or office location.
At the very least, you can ask your employees what would make it easier for them to vote. Then think of ways to deliver that.
Related: Trump Says US President Should ‘Have a Say’ in Federal Reserve Decisions
5. Host “Election Day”-themed sales or special events
Finally, consider hosting an auction or other special trade-oriented event during election season. Although “show us your ‘Vote Me’ sticker” is probably not a good idea, and may be illegal, there are many other ideas you can use:
- Create themed product or service collections based on nonpartisan election ideas, such as “Voice of the People,” “Liberty,” or “Unity.” Display these collections prominently in your store or website and encourage customers to vote for their favorite theme. The winning theme may be included in a special post-election promotion or auction.
- When you’re ready to vote, ask customers to vote on the amount of discount you’re offering on Election Day.
- Choose a charity to which you will donate a portion of the profits from your election-themed sale.
- Host an on-site results viewing party and give away door prizes.
Encouraging others to vote and participate in the democratic process is an important part of being a good corporate citizen, and it is good business. Get creative and pursue one or more of these ideas – or your own – to help drive voters and sales. Just remember to focus on supporting issues and the election process in general, as opposed to specific individuals, to avoid creating an unacceptable and toxic corporate culture.
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