Democrats.com encourages every progressive activist to run for political office - at whatever level appeals to you.

As a company, we are prohibited by law from contributing money or services to candidates. However, we can offer free advice - and we are happy to do so!

The Internet is the greatest campaign tool ever invented. If you master the Internet, you can run a kick-ass Democratic campaign. Here are some suggestions on how to use the Internet to win. For best results, complete each step in sequence.

1. Create a web site

a. Think of a domain name that's really easy to spell and remember. Buy it at a low-cost registrar/hosting site like GoDaddy.com or Namesecure.com.

b. Create a free campaign contribution page at ActBlue.com and encourage your friends to make a contribution to show support.  

c. Buy a turn-key Web site from one of these excellent vendors. If you can't afford a turn-key site, you can build a workable site for practically nothing using these do-it-yourself tools (no programming or server management skills necessary). Be sure to include an email signup form.

d. Have a good photographer take a vivid smiling closeup picture of you, as well as candid shots of you talking to voters.

e. Find a videographer with a studio to record you making a 2-minute persuasive statement about your candidacy, looking directly into the camera. Upload that statement to Youtube and embed the Youtube object in your web site.

f. Blog about the issues you care about most, the issues voters are bringing up as you campaign, news and blog coverage, etc. Write in a natural thoughtful voice. Respond to worthwhile comments. Enlist your strongest supporters (and clearest writers) as occasional bloggers. 

g. Create a page with endorsements and enlist respected people from all walks of life, especially politics (including local party officers). Include their titles with their permission.

2. Promote your web site

a. Tell your friends to visit your blog, post comments, and help you spread the word. Respond to thoughtful comments whenever you can - build a friendly and welcoming community!

b. Reach out to Democrats.com members and other progressive activists in your Congressional District:

• After you login, visit our "local" page and create a "New Forum Topic" for your CD 
• Send an email to our readers in your CD (special permission required - contact us to request it)
• Reach out to our progressive allies in your area

c. Print business cards. You can buy fancy but inexpensive cards with your color logo from iPrint.com.

d. Hit the campaign trail. Speak to local organizations, especially progressive activist groups like Moveon.org, DemocracyForAmerica.org (Howard Dean's group), Progressive Democrats of America, and Democrats.com. Join their e-mail lists to keep up with their activities and find out when they are meeting locally.

e. Social Networking. Create a campaign page on MySpace.com, Facebook.com, and YouTube.com - the largest social network sites. Recruit one or more volunteers who are regular users of these sites to update your campaign page and make "friends."

f. Make friends with progressive reporters, talk show hosts, and bloggers who cover your district - invite them to lunch or dinner so they get to know you. Encourage them to write/talk about your campaign. Make sure they mention your web site.

g. When your blog starts cooking with genuine local support, introduce your campaign on the national and state blogs. Each blog has its own format and personality, so spend a little time getting familiar with each one before you post. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so don't blow it!

Here is the straight dope from the King of Democratic Blogging, Markos Moulitsas a.k.a. Kos of DailyKos.com.

All of the campaigns that have grabbed notice in the past couple of years were launched by regular people, and I simply lent my support. I think it's important for people to realize that this is a new model of activism. The press and politicians still think it's a traditional model -- from top to bottom. So they come to me and think that by "reaching out" to me they can reach my audience. That's complete crap. It needs to be the exact opposite, they need to reach out to my audience. And if my audience decides its an endeavor worthy of support, then I'll get involved.

Here are some excellent tips for engaging bloggers from Chris Bowers and Matthew Stoller, authors of Emergence of the Progressive Blogosphere: A New Force in American Politics:

• Hire a "Netroots Coordinator" and be prepared to work with him or her on money, messaging and organizing. Most organizations hire one and relegate them to a position where they are asked simply to raise money. If you follow this model it is not worth engaging the blogs. A good Netroots Coordinator can deliver messaging, media, and money.

• Put up a link on your web site that says "Got a blog?" Ask for bloggers to give you their name, email, IM, and blog address. This list is valuable – it is the list of bloggers who are interested in your issue.

• Take your list of bloggers and add them to your press release list. Call through to introduce yourself, and invite them to cover events, and if possible give them press passes and access.

• Read the blogs who sign up. If you use an "aggregator" such as www.bloglines.com, you can read many more blogs much more quickly. Get a sense of who is on your side and who is not. Go into the comment section of various blogs and add comments when relevant.

• Hold conference calls with your strategists/candidate. Treat bloggers like friends and allies, but also realize you are on the record.

• Periodically do a "blog round-up" where you email interesting blog posts on your issue to all the bloggers as well as internally.
Link to interesting blog posts from your web site/blog; make sure you link to a few posts that disagree with you. This will lend your online presence more credibility.

• Listen and respond to criticism. These are your friends and often not that experienced in politics – treat them like they are here to learn, not like they are cynical, hard-boiled reporters.

3. Become a Netroots Hero

Every campaign cycle, a handful of campaigns gain the attention of the largest national blogs. They do so through a combination of timing, creativity, know-how, and luck.

• In August 2005, Paul Hackett raised $500,000 from the blogosphere, and lost by only 52%-48% in a district that gave Bush 64% in 2004.
• In 2006, Ned Lamont challenged Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut Democratic primary, and beat Lieberman with the enthusiastic support of the blogosphere

The most important factors are:

• A winnable race: an open seat, or an incumbent who is vulnerable because of a scandal or illness
• A really strong issue that gets covered by the media - hopefully one that connects directly to your background and experience
• Support from prominent people
• Fundraising prowess: either you master the arts of fundraising yourself, or find someone to devote full-time to do it for you