Lindsey Coster of Harney Coster & Associates shares ways to save money on a political campaign.

1. 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Campaign Presented by: Lindsey Coster @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

2. Savings add up Save money in axillary areas. Money saved can be put into key areas of campaign. Show good financial stewardship. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

3. What could your campaign do with an extra $1,000? How about $5,000 Radio spot, direct mail piece, extra airtime? @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

4. 1. Change your ink preferences You can save 50% of your ink Simple to do @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

5. 2. Buy envelopes in bulk Do this in general. contribution envelopes, letterhead etc. This is my BIG secret. Do this for invitation envelopes. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

6. 3. Invitations Design 3 or 4 and use them over and over. Time is money so you are not wasting your time designing new invitations. Always the same size and will fit in the envelopes you ordered in bulk at the beginning of the campaign. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

7. 4. Ask for donations No not for money! Call your Restaurant Association or Malt Beverage Association. This is Matt Harney’s favorite thing to do, he is the best at getting donated wine for our fundraisers. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

8. 5. Catering ALWAYS under-order Are you expecting 100? Have food for 50 (or less). Don’t do this for a sit down dinner. Perfect for come and go receptions. My trick? In the summers I serve cookies and lemonade. That’s all. I have never heard a complaint from a client or a guest. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

9. Sample menus Fruit tray 25 Vegetable tray 25 Spinach dip with chips 25 Water Tea Meatballs 25 Assorted cheeses 25 Vegetable Tray 25 Water Tea These are each menus I have used when attendance was projected at 100 people. I brought the water and tea myself and the cost was less than $100!! @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

10. 6. Polling Polling is sooo expensive. This works best on larger races. Buy a question from another campaign. Will save you thousands of dollars. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

11. 7. Promotional Materials Cups, hats, mouse pads, emery boards, etc. HUGE waste of money. No one keeps these materials. They don’t turn into votes. No one keeps these materials. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

12. 8. Logos! Harney Coster Logo: Notice anything?? @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

14. If you have a complex logo it can be distracting.

15. HCA takeaway: minimize the look of your logo will not only keep your cost down, it will look better.@LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

16. 9. Dated Materials Setting up your campaign to have to re-order every election cycle. Do not put a year on anything: signs, bumper stickers, letterhead, etc. You are going to be running again, right? So think ahead! @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

17. 10. Mail House Use a mail house. You do pay for handling, but with all the costs associated you end up saving. I usually reach a number with my clients so that if a mailing is over it (350) it goes to the mail house. $.44 compared to $.38 or less. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

18. 11. Mail continued If your list is brand new, send it standard, formerly called third class. $.44 compared to $.27!! Not to mention this is a big time saver. Your time and your volunteers. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

19. 12. Sponsor Boards I like to have a board at every fundraiser. I recognize sponsors for current event as well as max sponsors to the campaign. Getting it printed at Staples or Kinkos can cost $35-60 depending on the size. SO, instead buy a frame at the beginning of the campaign and have posters printed. Spending $10 or less each time instead. HCA takeaway: the frame looks nicer than just the board on an easel. @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

20. Wrapping up… Ink Buying in bulk Invitations Food and beverage donations Smart catering Polling Promotional materials Logos Dated materials Mail House Sponsor boards @LindseyCosterLindsey@harneycoster.com 405.313.4661

21. Lindsey Coster 405.313.4661 lindsey@harneycoster.com @LindseyCoster 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Campaign