In the Obama campaign, we all saw how well social networking could be used to organize and fundraise campaigns from the grassroots up. While Internet technologies for reaching out to supporters are not in short supply, building a custom platform for online campaigning can have greater returns; however, the attempt can also yield greater frustration due to the costs of development, maintenance, etc. Often custom social media for campaigns, or other companies and organizations, are gaudy and ineffective. The Obama campaign showed us that it could be done effectively.

Brian Moran, candidate for the Democratic nomination to run for Governor of Virginia, launched Organizing Virginia; his custom social media based campaign site. While there are ties to massively used services such as Twitter and Facebook, the Moran campaign has taken a page from Obama in developing a custom site featuring supporter profiles and groups. However, just like Obama’s site, Organizing Virginia allows users to create their own events and fundraise; allowing for significant grassroots action across Virginia.

There are a few things I would suggest in order to make Organizing Virginia more effective. The first is that groups need to have mailing lists associated with them. During the Obama campaign, these lists were valuable in distributing information and events. The second suggestion is to create an RSS feed linked to events so it’s easier to know what events are upcoming. My third suggestion is to integrate phone banking into the site, allowing for a massive phone-from-home campaign. I know I’m comparing Moran’s site to Obama’s, but what’s wrong with comparing something new to something that was so successful?

Overall, I’m impressed and releaved. We need this kind of site to help Moran win the Democratic nomination and elect him as the next Governor of Virginia.

Related posts:

1. Over 150 grassroots activists strongly support Brian Moran for Governor
2. Brian Moran opens campaign office in Virginia Beach
3. To Brian Moran: It’s time refocus and cut the crap
4. Why I’m supporting Brian Moran: He’s been there
5. Widow of Robert F. Kennedy to host fundraiser for Brian Moran