NMS Blog - What we're talking about.
Click here for all categories in our blogosphere
Home Wifi Networks Next For Digital Door-Knocking?
A really interesting idea came to my attention today: using the name of your home Wi-Fi network to reach out to your neighbors about the political candidates you are supporting.
A fellow Democratic activist in Northern Virginia came up with this idea of changing his home wireless network ID – and even on two separate bands – to advertise for the Democratic candidate for the Governor of Virginia (who I also support) – Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds.
Below is a screen shot of his two networks. The three connections visible are the Virginia Democratic joint ticket “Deeds-Wagner-Shannon” (who are running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, respectfully), the second is a neighbor’s who I’ve blocked out for privacy, and the third is focused solely on the top of the ticket:
Grassroots activists like me have had problems hitting the doors in high-rises because of security and other reasons, making them largely inaccessible. Yes, we worked on digital door-knocking before, and yes, you can do targeted Facebook ads, etc. In 08, for the Arlington County Democrats, I worked on a mini-precinct captain system, called Building Ambassadors. It was designed to empower individuals in targeted high-rises to reach out to their neighbors via flyering (if allowed), bulletin boards, building email lists, and whatever else was available.
But most people don’t want to disturb their neighbors, and this simple switch doesn’t require any direct interaction whatsoever (or money). An ever increasing electorate relying on the internet as their source for election news in conjunction with the prospective influence of your neighbors personalizing their political preferences means this could have some real possibilities.
And what about a campaign website as your wireless network name also? Like I said, it’s a really interesting idea – with an extremely personal and localized reach potential.
Published by at NMS Blog on August 05, 2009 in NMS Public Affairs, Candidates, Elections
3 COMMENTS SO FAR
This is very interesting and I could see it being a “neat” way for 2-3 people to discover this in the vicinity. Is this going to move vote numbers on election day? No. This couldn’t be too much more effective (if at all) than just putting a bumper sticker on the outside of your apartment door. At home, people rarely view their list of available networks unless they get disconnected somehow.
But this could seed better ideas ... What about the Deeds campaign sponsoring free WiFi at a VERY high-trafficked public place and/or friendly business? When you connect initially, your browser is directed to a very targeting video message from Deeds about his plans for using technology innovations to drive VA’s economy into the future. After the 30second spot, you’re forwarded on to a sign up page on his website but free to roam the interweb tubes as you see fit.
I always thought big brands like Coke could benefit by placing AP’s next to Starbux, sandwich shops, etc. My SSD was “Enjoy a Coke” for a while in 2000 as a test. Then I remembered they were not paying me to advertise. 
I like the political nature of this in the large apartment buildings, next to hotels, etc. If my favorite candidate can “get me some free WiFi” I may be compelled to look into his beliefs and vote positively at next election. Since changing the SSID’s is a pain for devices (your laptop, TiVo and iPhone remember where they are setup to attach to) What we would need is a splash page syndication network like what is done with some of the open WiFi auth, or Meraki setups.
This from a guy (me) who had the co-founder/CTO of Salesforce.com write software to let my BBS display banner ads when we were 14 and 17 years old, respectively… 
Dave
Very cool idea! But how often do people look at the other WiFi networks in their building? For me, I just set it up when I move in and that’s that. Still think a Deeds t-shirt by the pool on Saturday afternoon would be more effective.
TheGreenMiles commented on August 05, 2009