In the 2012 presidential election, Twitter was the gold standard for being digitally savvy, playing a huge role in how the public – particularly millennials – viewed the candidates. The social media platform set the tone for debates, speeches and the party conventions. At the time, the 2012 election cycle broke Twitter records: with Election Day being the most tweeted event in U.S. history.
But just a few years, and countless social apps and websites, later, there’s more to being on the digital upswing than crafting a 140-character tweet – and declared and potential 2016 candidates will need to broaden their range if they want to make a splash in this election.
These eight women leading the digital-meets-political landscape are advising candidates on how they can maximize their outreach on digital, whether it be on platforms like Facebook, Snapchat and YikYak – or through fundraising and building networks.
Katie Harbath, the Global Politics and Government Outreach manager at Facebook, shared with msnbc how her team has helped shaped elections on social media, and what it’s like being a woman working in fields dominated by men.
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Katie Harbath: My team helps candidates, political parties, elected officials and governments around the globe use Facebook effectively to engage with people in those countries. The Politics and Government Outreach team has grown from three to seven in the last two years. We are globally focused and have worked extensively, for example, on elections in the UK this year, as well as the 2014 elections in India, Brazil, Indonesia and the U.S.
msnbc: What is the biggest benefit of using Facebook on a campaign trail?
KH: For a campaign, the biggest benefit to using Facebook is the ability to reach voters – in a place where they are already spending time – with the messages that will motivate them.
msnbc: What’s the worst thing a candidate can do on the platform?
KH: The most successful candidates are the ones who engage with and listen to their fans, rather than using the platform as a one-way communication tool.
msnbc: Do you think Facebook can impact the results of the 2016 election through its outreach, not just with the candidates, but by influencing people to get out and vote?









