2026 Messaging Strategy for Short Format Media

Traditional forms of outreach are dead. It's time to change our strategy for short-format video outreach and a populist Message.

Two weeks ago, I was in D.C. for a political digital summit. I walked away with a notebook full of insights, a mild TikTok addiction, and a clear message for Democrats: if we want to win 2026, we need to stop playing defense and start playing for attention.

You can’t buy attention anymore. You earn it!

And in the era of AI elections, short-form video, and billionaire overreach, you better be fast, loud, and relatable. We’re up against politicians who don’t serve the people—they serve the highest bidder. It's time we remind them: the people are pissed.

This is how we win 2026:

1. Run on a Populist Message That Hits Home

Don’t tiptoe around it: billionaires are trying to buy our democracy. Call it out. Then offer voters a better deal.

Run on these 5 winning populist issues:

• Raise the Minimum Wage: People should be able to live off a full-time job.

• Expand Medicaid: Rural and urban Texans need care without bankruptcy.

• Affordable Housing: Texans deserve to afford the state they live in.

• Fully Fund Public Schools: Say no to vouchers and billionaire schemes.

• Ban Dark Money: Name the billionaires. Call out the corruption of the very rich buying our politicians.

2. Master Short-Form Video

15 seconds to hook. The rest to connect. Talk directly to the camera. Be funny, furious, or emotional. Be real.

You need:

• TikToks

• Instagram Reels

• YouTube Shorts

• Variations of each (cause the algorithm is moody)

• Substack (everyone needs their own Substack)

If you aren’t a consumer of video, you can’t be a producer. Get in there.

3. Go on a Listening Tour

Before you ask for votes, go ask people what they need. Knock on doors, host community meetings, stop by union halls, small businesses, and barbershops.

You don’t need a poll to know what’s broken—you need to show up, shut up, and take notes. Turn listening into content. Turn questions into connections. If you don’t listen, you can’t lead.

4. Be Local. Be Multilingual. Be Everywhere.

Texans speak dozens of languages. Your campaign should too. Build a ground game with:

• Translators

• Community ambassadors

• Block walkers who know the culture

5. Simplify Your Message

Pick 2 or 3 issues max. Give each a 3-word slogan:

• Raise Wages Now

• Healthcare Without Debt

• Ban Dark Money

Then repeat it, over and over, until your campaign manager is sick of hearing it.

6. Compete for Attention, Not Just Money

Raising $1 million doesn’t mean you’ll win. Raising trust, views, and shares? That might.

Obama won Facebook. Trump won Twitter. 2026 belongs to whoever wins TikTok, Reels, and Shorts with heart and humor.

Let’s stop letting billionaires write our future. Let’s show up, speak up, and run like the “people” are behind us. Because they are!