Unfolding The Strategy: How ‘Bingo’, Beaded Bracelets, and Volunteer iPhones Propelled Biden’s Organizing Campaign
Known for its ingenuity and resourcefulness, the Biden campaign thrust into action with versatile tools such as ‘Bingo’, beaded bracelets, and volunteer iPhones in a bid to galvanize supporters and make a steady climb towards winning the 2020 US Presidential election. By navigating the increasingly digital and remote landscape in the wake of COVID-19, they successfully adopted novel campaign strategies that have reshaped our perception of political organizing.
First off, the team utilized their signature app, ‘Bingo’, to great effect amid the electoral process. This innovative app served as a digital platform to engage campaign volunteers and facilitate phone banking. During the campaign calls, participants were incentivized to listen attentively for key phrases, and the first volunteer to mark all the words or phrases on their Bingo card won Biden-themed prizes. This nifty gamified approach not only made volunteering more fun but also boosted participation rates significantly, laying the groundwork for the campaign’s success.
Moreover, the Biden campaign also employed the power of symbolic representation through personalized beaded bracelets. Introduced by Biden’s sister, Valerie, these bracelets adorned the initials ‘J’ and ‘B’, designed to serve as a constant reminder of the goal volunteers were striving towards. Each bracelet was made by campaign volunteers themselves and distributed among each other to bring about a sense of togetherness and embody the grassroots spirit of the campaign.
Another key component in Biden’s organizing strategy was the use of volunteer iPhones. Recognizing the fact that the pandemic had pushed most electoral campaigning online, the team resorted to tapping technology as a viable platform for reaching out to voters. The volunteer iPhones were wielded as a hub for managing campaign efforts, where volunteers could canvas, discuss plans, interact with voters, and more. This not only empowered campaign volunteers to work remotely but also helped them remain connected and motivated despite the physical distance.
In particular, during the final months leading up to the election, these phones were essential tools for the get out the vote effort. They were crucial for personal outreach, initiating crucial voter dialogues, data collection, and efficiently executing the ‘get out the vote’ strategy with significant reach and resonance.
Each of these innovative strategies – the Bingo application, beaded bracelets, and volunteer iPhones – was instrumental in driving the grassroots organizing strength of Biden’s victorious campaign. As volunteers proactively took up these tools, they were bound by a common thread of unity, dedication, and resilience, consistently contributing towards the campaign’s larger objective and, ultimately, its historic victory.
In an era where the digital reigns supreme, the Biden campaign has effectively shown how transformative election campaigns can be when they effectively incorporate technology and symbolic representation. But beyond that, it is the undying spirit of the volunteers that truly powered the campaign, making the strategies more than just tools but symbols of dedication and unity towards a common cause.