danda
05-16-2007, 11:06 AM
Hi, I was just thinking about how to spread the word online about Ron Paul and show support for him. I've just seen the "Campaign Buttons" website, and I think that is a really great start, and we should all add a button to our individual websites, blogs, myspace, etc. If you haven't seen the website, check out:
http://titanmiller.no-ip.org/ronpaul/
I would like to start a discussion about how we can further this effort and achieve a maximum effect in terms of raising awareness. So my thoughts are detailed below, I hope people will reply with more brainstorming.
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It is very important that we put on a strong showing for Ron Paul all across the internet. If we make him #1 in cyberspace and the talk of the net, that *will* spill over into the offline world eventually.
Campaigns such as the EFF's blue ribbon campaign have shown that these images can help raise awareness.
See http://www.eff.org/br/
But I would propose we take this further than one simple type of button:
Consider that many (most?) bloggers and many websites now display Google Adwords, and receive money for this. Textual advertising is a giant industry, fueling much of the "web 2.0" economy and the blog-o-sphere.
Therefore, I would propose that we create 3 colors/types of buttons/images:
1) White/BasicSupport. I support Ron Paul and plan to vote for him. This is a basic button like has already been created.
2) Bronze/QuarterPledge. I support Ron Paul, *and I pledge 25% of my Google Adwords monies to his campaign.*
3) Silver/HalfPledge. I support Ron Paul, *and I pledge 50% of my Google Adwords monies to his campaign.*
3) Gold/HalfPledge. I support Ron Paul, *and I pledge 100% of my Google Adwords monies to his campaign.*
I think that having this type of system would accomplish three things:
1) Anyone can place a white button for free. So we are publically (and hopefully widely) showing our support.
2) The Ron Paul campaign makes money from the bronze, silver, and gold supporters. And basically all that money is sponsored by google from people clicking on ads around the net.
3) It demonstrates to the world that Ron Paul supporters are deeply committed and are putting their money where there mouth is. This is a very public way to demonstrate widespread support. And that is what we want to fuel, a groundswell of support.
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Further thoughts:
1) I think we need a dedicated domain for this effort. Something like RonPaulAdvocacy.org, RonPaulRevolution.org, RonPaulAwareness.org, or RonPaulSupporters.org
( My apologies if any of those are already taken )
I'm happy to pay for the domain and create the website.
2) The Ron Paul campaign *could* host this, but i think it may actually be more effective if this is an independent/site entity that is promoting contributions to his campaign. It has more of a "grass roots"feel to it. Also, it seems somehow "bigger" to me when there is a dedicated domain/site for this, and not just a sup-page of the official RP site.
3) I think that perhaps the button should contain imagery linking Ron Paul to the constitution. Perhaps "We the people..." text. Or even a representation of the declaration of Independence, which is a pretty familiar image to many people. I'd love to hear more ideas in this area. Also, if you are an artist and want to take a stab at this, I'd be grateful, as my graphics skills are not exactly professional grade.
4) I think a button is better than a ribbon. These days, I think many people associate a ribbon with supporting the war. Also, a button is clearly indicative of supporting a candidate.
5) I'd be happy to work with the "Campaign Buttons" website, or to start from scratch. Whichever works best. Probably best to unite our efforts, right?
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Note: If we go ahead with this idea, I plan to get a google adwords account for a couple of my websites (including http://ronpaulplanet.org ) and pledge 100% support.
------
So what do you think? Good idea? Unnecessary? Already been done? What would you suggest for improving it? thanks!
http://titanmiller.no-ip.org/ronpaul/
I would like to start a discussion about how we can further this effort and achieve a maximum effect in terms of raising awareness. So my thoughts are detailed below, I hope people will reply with more brainstorming.
------
It is very important that we put on a strong showing for Ron Paul all across the internet. If we make him #1 in cyberspace and the talk of the net, that *will* spill over into the offline world eventually.
Campaigns such as the EFF's blue ribbon campaign have shown that these images can help raise awareness.
See http://www.eff.org/br/
But I would propose we take this further than one simple type of button:
Consider that many (most?) bloggers and many websites now display Google Adwords, and receive money for this. Textual advertising is a giant industry, fueling much of the "web 2.0" economy and the blog-o-sphere.
Therefore, I would propose that we create 3 colors/types of buttons/images:
1) White/BasicSupport. I support Ron Paul and plan to vote for him. This is a basic button like has already been created.
2) Bronze/QuarterPledge. I support Ron Paul, *and I pledge 25% of my Google Adwords monies to his campaign.*
3) Silver/HalfPledge. I support Ron Paul, *and I pledge 50% of my Google Adwords monies to his campaign.*
3) Gold/HalfPledge. I support Ron Paul, *and I pledge 100% of my Google Adwords monies to his campaign.*
I think that having this type of system would accomplish three things:
1) Anyone can place a white button for free. So we are publically (and hopefully widely) showing our support.
2) The Ron Paul campaign makes money from the bronze, silver, and gold supporters. And basically all that money is sponsored by google from people clicking on ads around the net.
3) It demonstrates to the world that Ron Paul supporters are deeply committed and are putting their money where there mouth is. This is a very public way to demonstrate widespread support. And that is what we want to fuel, a groundswell of support.
--------------------------
Further thoughts:
1) I think we need a dedicated domain for this effort. Something like RonPaulAdvocacy.org, RonPaulRevolution.org, RonPaulAwareness.org, or RonPaulSupporters.org
( My apologies if any of those are already taken )
I'm happy to pay for the domain and create the website.
2) The Ron Paul campaign *could* host this, but i think it may actually be more effective if this is an independent/site entity that is promoting contributions to his campaign. It has more of a "grass roots"feel to it. Also, it seems somehow "bigger" to me when there is a dedicated domain/site for this, and not just a sup-page of the official RP site.
3) I think that perhaps the button should contain imagery linking Ron Paul to the constitution. Perhaps "We the people..." text. Or even a representation of the declaration of Independence, which is a pretty familiar image to many people. I'd love to hear more ideas in this area. Also, if you are an artist and want to take a stab at this, I'd be grateful, as my graphics skills are not exactly professional grade.
4) I think a button is better than a ribbon. These days, I think many people associate a ribbon with supporting the war. Also, a button is clearly indicative of supporting a candidate.
5) I'd be happy to work with the "Campaign Buttons" website, or to start from scratch. Whichever works best. Probably best to unite our efforts, right?
-------
Note: If we go ahead with this idea, I plan to get a google adwords account for a couple of my websites (including http://ronpaulplanet.org ) and pledge 100% support.
------
So what do you think? Good idea? Unnecessary? Already been done? What would you suggest for improving it? thanks!