Implementation Stages

This page lists the actions that need to be taken to implement a unified sign campaign. More details for some of the stages are provided on other pages.

Choose some slogans

Slogans should be very short, self-contained, promote a libertarian message, and be desireable by a large number of campaigns. If a small state is to implement a unified sign campaign, it is necessary to achieve buy-in by a large percentage of the campaigns. This is difficult. (See the lessons learned in 1999 page for more details.) A nationwide campaign can work with a much smaller buy-in. Indeed, the marketing survey of campaigns could be limited to just the presidential race for the first go-around.

However, over time it would be nice to have a somewhat greater selection. LP News would be nice place to advertise a survey of campaigns as to what they would like.

See the "Possible Slogans" page for more criteria on slogans and possible examples.

Choose a Layout

The slogan signs should have a distinctive appearance to tie them together with each other and with the candidate's name signs. Logo, color pattern, and distinctive font can all be used to make the signs tie together. The word "Libertarian" is also good to incorporate.

This process of tying signs together builds brand recognition not only between candidates and issues, but for the party as a whole over time.

Estimate Demand

At the state level, this can be tricky, as campaign buy-in is somewhat fickle. At the national level, this is easier. One can simply order in lots large enough to get the low price and reorder as supplies run down. However, given lead times and the like, a better estimate is desireable.

Always keep in mind that issues signs not used in one year can be used in another -- unlike name signs.

Order the Signs

My survey of suppliers indicates that prices between suppliers doesn't vary greatly. Proximity to cut down shipping charges was a bigger factor in the 1999 experiment. For a national campaign, a big factor to consider is services provided by supplier. Examples include:

• Does the supplier demand that wireframes be ordered with the signs (if we go with the plastic bag signs), or can the campaigns order the wireframes separately so the wireframes don't have to be shipped twice?
• Is is possible to hold on to the printing plates so reorders can be done at a discount and a faster turnaround? This would reduce the inventory we would have to store and finance.

Provide the Template

Any campaign can get access to PowerPoint. The template and fonts used for the issue signs can be made available on the web. The campaigns download the template and use it to make their own name signs that tie in with the issue signs.

The national organization does not have to design and order candidate name signs! This is up to the individual campaigns.

Promote and Distribute

Currently both LPHQ and the Harry Browne campaigns have mechanisms in place to promote and distribute campaign paraphenalia. So one or the other simply builds on existing infrastructure, I would assume.

Individual Campaign Issues

Each campaign would design and order its own name signs from its preferred supplier. If paper signs are used, they are also responsible for acquiring stakes.

Important Issue: many states (and I guess federal) have campaign regulations that require declaring who paid for/authorized any campaign signs. Obviously, this cannot be printed on the issue signs while still achieving economies of scale. Fortunately, there is an easy solution: the campaigns should simply print the legaleze on stickers and affix them to the signs. Avery makes both laser and ink jet stickers that are perfect for this purpose. Avery also provides Microsoft Word Templates for filling sheets of stickers with the same content. Ink jet printouts should be tested for water resistance. I found no problem with the output from my Canon printer. Once dry, stickers survived the faucet test nicely.