The first TV debate of the 2024 general election takes place on Tuesday 4th June, here are 10 things the campaigns’ digital teams might be doing to prepare:
1/ Creating a ‘backstage’ clip to run shortly before the debate which sets out the key message they’re hoping to deliver and which encourages supporters to watch.
2/ Planning where they’ll shoot a clip immediately after the debate which reflects on what’s gone on and lands their message again (“as you’ve just heard their sums don’t add up” etc…).
3/ Preparing graphics that reinforce soundbites that they know their leader is planning to deliver during the debate, so they can post them in real time.
4/ Testing their system for recording the debate, editing and adding titles. Sharing favourable video clips from the debate as close to real time as possible is a must.
5/ Messaging supportive influencers – who have social reach outside of the political realm – and letting them know the debate is on and encouraging them to share some of the party’s content from the evening.
6/ Appointing someone to follow the debate hashtags to engage with voters in real-time and amplify particularly strong user generated content.
7/ Appointing a member of the team who will record and share fact-check videos, in as close to real time as possible, for anything their opponent says which is wrong but doesn’t get corrected live.
8/ Creating a website with a simple URL which rebutts arguments they anticipate their opponent will land, so that their leader can direct those watching on TV to visit it and find out “the truth”.
9/ Having a graphic ready for any positive snap polling that is released immediately after the debate concludes.
10/ Making a “like what you’ve seen” graphic to encourage new supporter signups and donors who have watched the debate.
What have I missed? If there’s any debate tricks you’ve deployed in the past that have worked well, please do let me know in the comments.
Live TV debates, particularly the first one of a given election, have the potential to significantly impact the narrative of the race.
Whilst having a strong social media game during a debate won’t turn a terrible performance into a good one, it can certainly help shape the online conversation around it and journalistic impressions of what’s important.
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