Tools Every Candidate Needs
Software tools worth the campaign investment!
I’ve been working on a list of tools that candidates and campaigns should consider. Here’s my list.
🎨 Design Tools
Canva (Free + Pro): The best thing for campaigns about Canva is the Brand Kit. It’s only in Pro, but worth every penny. Create templates for everything—flyers, social posts, signs, merch, two-pagers. Pro gives you a background remover, magic eraser, and more.
Adobe Creative Cloud: Pricey but powerful. Photoshop, Premiere, stock images, and social tools all in one.
🎥 Video Creation + Editing
If you’re not making videos, you’re not reaching voters. Period.
CapCut (Mobile/Desktop): The TikTok editor for adults. Great captions, effects, transitions, desktop version has extra power.
Descript: Edit video like a Word doc. Auto-captions, filler-word remover, podcast recording, game changer.
Instagram Edits: Free, simple, and built to compete with CapCut.
Instagram Edits Teleprompter: Free teleprompter inside Instagram for smoother delivery.
Teleprompter Floating APP: A mobile teleprompter with a short learning curve.
BigVu: Mobile teleprompter + auto-caption app.
VEED.IO: Tons of features, especially great captions.
Opus Clip: Cuts long videos into short, shareable clips.
Riverside, Restream, Streamyard: Stream speeches or events across multiple channels.
📰 Writing + Content Tools
For newsletters, captions, and clapbacks that land.
Substack: Direct-to-voter storytelling. Free, easy, no algorithm games.
Hemingway App: Makes your writing bolder, clearer, and committee-proof.
ChatGPT: Your 24/7 messaging assistant that you can train to talk like your voice after it gets to know you.
Grammarly: Kills typos before they kill your credibility.
RelatedWords.org: When you’re tired of saying the same thing, find fresh synonyms.
📱 Social Media Management
Stay visible, even when you’re stuck in a school board meeting.
Buffer / Publer: Schedule posts, preview feeds, track engagement.
Metricool: Multi-platform analytics (yes, including TikTok).
Linktree: One bio link for all your links, donations, sign-ups, and videos. Every candidate needs to put a Linktree link in their bio and make sure it stays updated.
🤖 AI + Automation Tools
Let the robots handle the boring stuff.
Otter.ai: Transcribes speeches, interviews, and meetings.
Zapier: Connects your tools (e.g., Substack signups → Mailchimp).
Typeform: Gorgeous surveys, sign-ups, and volunteer forms.
💥 Bonus Tools Every Campaign Needs
For when you want to punch above your weight class.
Imgflip Meme Generator: Roast Greg Abbott in under 6 seconds.
Into Action Lab: GIFs, JPGs, plus a cultural calendar plug-in for your Google Calendar.
Wisecut: AI video editor that adds captions, music, and trims pauses automatically.
PoliticalEmails.org: Archive of political newsletters from elected officials, PACs, nonprofits, and more.
Yours in Resistance,
Nancy Thompson