Blog

New Integration with Eventbrite

September 2, 2014

The IQ team is very pleased to announce an exciting new integration with Eventbrite, the global self-service registration platform.  Over the next several weeks, we will begin rolling out this integration to current IQ users in the U.S. House of Representatives, giving them access to this exciting new platform for managing and promoting engagement with constituents.  This integration not only makes it easier for them to register for and attend your events, it also allows you to capture and import valuable contact data into IQ that the constituent provides to you as they sign up for the event.  This type of organic database growth is widely considered to be a best practice in contact management and we are very proud to provide you with another effective way to communicate with your constituents.

With a seamless integration between IQ’s powerful CMS tools and Eventbrite’s comprehensive platform, your office will have access to the future of event management not only on Capitol Hill, but in your district offices as well.  Not only that, but there are no extra charges or hidden fees for using the IQ + Eventbrite integration when you organize free events.  When your event is ready to begin, your staff will will have more time to focus on crucial face-to-face interactions with constituents, instead of managing paper sign-in lists.  By allowing constituents to pre-register for your events through Eventbrite, staff will be able to utilize their check-in tool, Entry Manager (available for iOS & Android), to capture everyone in attendance.  Yet again, saving staff countless hours of data entry.

Stay tuned for information on a Launch Party celebrating this announcement!

Is Summer Recess Really Almost Over?

August 4, 2014

Yes, it’s true.  Summer Recess is nearly over and before long, you’ll be back in the midst of the fast-paced, high-stress environment that is a Congressional office in full swing.  Whether you’ve spent this August catching up on work in the DC office, working with constituents in the district or if you packed your bags and headed to the beach at 5pm sharp on August 1st, there’s still time to take some proactive steps that will really impress your boss once Congress reconvenes. 

Clean Up Your Data.
Maintaining clean and accurate contact data for your constituents is vitally important to successful communications in Congress.  It’s also one of the most difficult challenges in managing large databases.  Constituents move, change email addresses, get new phone numbers, etc. and it’s a tall task to keep this data clean and up to date.  When your Member gets back to DC, we promise they’ll be impressed to see that you’ve been hard at work scrubbing up your data.  We can help by offering you scrubbed voter files for your district or state.  Here’s some quick math to illustrate our point:

Clean Contact Lists = Better Open Rates
Better Open Rates = Happy Boss
Happy Boss = Happy You!
 

Explore New Web Design Concepts.
A Member’s website is sometimes both the first and only point of contact between the Member and constituents.  With no strings attached, our team of web experts will happily drop by your office anytime to talk about ideas that they have for improving the design of your site. We’ve created custom, award winning websites for Members from both sides of the aisle and we’d love to work with you too.   Show your boss that you’ve been hard at work this recess by presenting some creative new ideas for their home page.

Improve Event Management.
Whether it’s an email, a Tweet, a phone call or a letter, it’s important to capture all constituent correspondence.  But in-person events and tele-Town Halls are also crucial opportunities to gauge constituent opinions and capture contact data for future outreach.  With our new integration with Eventbrite, IQ offices will be able to easily schedule and plan events, allowing users to easily register with automated reminders.  But wait, there’s more!  Your office can import this constituent-supplied contact data directly into IQ with only one click.  

 

Contact us today to learn more about how the IQ team can help your office as we head into the Fall.

Sharing Your Unique Perspective

June 26, 2014

Across all major social media platforms, analytics show that posts with images attached are 93% more likely to generate engagement than text-only posts.  As a Congressional Staff Member, you’re in a unique position to observe and share a truly special perspective of the legislative process at work.  Most of your constituents will never have the chance to experience some of the things you see on a daily basis in your position.  We believe sharing these unique experiences through images on your office’s social media channels is one of the best ways to generate engagement and help your Member connect with the people you serve. 

Social media represents a great way to showcase a Member’s personality and demonstrate how they relate to their constituents on multiple levels. Instead of a photo of the Member speaking in front of a podium, why not post a pic of her playing with her dog?  Rather than posting an image of the Member shaking hands in a rope line, what about posting a pic of him walking into his favorite pizza place on Capitol Hill?  Small differences like these can be the difference in converting a constituent from a passive observer to a passionate supporter. 

The IQ team understands the value of a creative, organized and consistent approach to your office’s social media efforts and that’s why we’re proud to offer total social media integration into IQ.  Contact us today to learn more about how IQ can help optimize your social efforts.

eNewsletter Best Practices

June 17, 2014

While the growth rate for email traffic in the U.S. is expected to flatten in the coming years in favor of social communications and instant messaging, email is still king of the hill.  In fact, the average American receives about 100 emails a day and sends out another 20-30 of their own!  That’s almost one email every four minutes during the course of an 8-hour work day.  A huge number of these incoming emails are deleted immediately and never see the light of day.  What’s your plan to make sure your office’s outreach gets the attention it deserves? 

A recent poll showed that 21% of email recipients will report email as spam, even if they know it isn’t.  69% of recipients report as spam based on the subject line alone.  Statistics like these might be a bit nerve-wracking to communications staff, but we’ve identified some best practices that can help your next message hit its mark.

Leading the Way on Capitol Hill and Beyond

June 4, 2014

Experience matters on Capitol Hill and our track record speaks for itself.  With a market share in Congress of over 60%, 40% of US Governors and Federal, State and Local government customers all over the country, our fingerprints can be found as far West as Hawaii and as far East as Massachusetts. 

IQ has been the leading CRM solution on Capitol Hill and beyond for over 20 years for a few simple reasons:

1)      Responsiveness.
We have made it our business to remain on the cutting edge of technology from Day 1.  From social media integration, to mobile compatibility to responsive web design—we’re always looking forward into the future.

2)      Service.

When you partner with the IQ team, you get access to a dedicated, full time, on-site IT Consultant who is just a phone call or email away.  These guys are the best in the business.

3)   Experience.
Many members of our team have experience working in government offices and understand what it takes to get the job done.  This knowledge informs every decision we make.  We work every day to make your job easier because we’ve been there.

Making the Most of Your Communications Blackout Period

May 7, 2014

In every Congressional office, there comes a time each year when outreach is restricted.  The US Franking Office mandates that all unsolicited mass communications must cease for 90 days in advance of any election in which the Member’s name will appear on the ballot.  This can be a stressful time as the business of government must go on and communications staffers have to find creative ways to get their Members’ messages out.  We’re here to help. 
 
First off, it’s important to know that the blackout rules do not require you to suspend all communications with your constituents!  There are several clearly defined scenarios in which communication is permitted.  We’ll help give you some ideas for how you can communicate effectively—and within the rules— during your blackout period.
 
Sending 499’s
Unsolicited mailings must be restricted to less than 500 pieces of mail (regardless of medium) during your blackout period.  In other words, mailings in quantities of 499 or less are fair game!  In IQ4, you can generate 499’s from any contact list in your database with just one click.
 
Job Openings
If your office is has a job opening during a blackout period, you are free to post recruitment ads in order to attract applicants.
 
Direct Responses
If your office is contacted directly by a constituent (through any medium) blackout rules permit you to respond and engage in one-on-one communication with them.  IQ consolidates all your email, social media, US Mail and phone calls in one application, allowing you to track and respond to any direct communication with ease.
 
Email Your Subscribers
Communications blackout rules allow you to send eNewsletters to anyone in your district who has opted in to your newsletters.  As long as they’re subscribers, you’re free to keep them informed and up to date on how your office is serving them. 
 
See the PDF below for a printable calendar that illustrates each state’s blackout periods.  And as always, contact the IQ team any time for questions on how to build 499s, eNewsletter best practices and more—we’d love to hear from you!

Related Files: 

2014-Franking-Blackout-Dates-Cobranded.pdf

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