Why Are You Running For Office?

One of the first questions any candidate will need to answer is, “Why are you running for office?”  Many candidates can’t come up with a compelling response.  Without providing a good reason for running, candidates will struggle to put out a clear message that will attract the support needed to wage a successful campaign.  The unsurprising question then becomes, “If you can’t explain why you’re running, what reason would voters have to elect you?”

Crafting A Clear, Concise Message – Having a Good Reason to Run

When crafting a compelling answer for why you are running for office, consider other factors which may help you craft the most personally authentic response.  Some of those factors could be clarifying what you wish to achieve and identifying which issues you feel passionate about. 

When creating a good message, an essential aspect must be whether you believe it yourself.  If the issues you identify are not important to you, they probably won’t be important to others.  If you can personalize the reasons you’re running and convey them effectively, they will be seen as a shared community concern.  Your message for running will become stronger when you show how it benefits your community.  In this way, potential supporters become interested in helping you succeed.  Your authenticity as a candidate will be enhanced by tying who you are to your identified issues, and how you will effect positive change if elected.

Communicating your message effectively to others takes practice. Being able to explain in 250 words who you are, why you’re running, what you want to accomplish, and why your race matters will make it more authentic and memorable.  Through repetition and rehearsing, you will be ready to convey your message easily and in a meaningful way.