Also ask your friends to get their friends to vote for you. If they do, it can greatly augment the number of votes you receive.
Approach the football team to see if they need new equipment, a better playing field, or more support from the student body. As a student representative, you may be able to help them achieve these goals. Get involved in special events and fundraisers for particular causes as well. If the chess team has a fundraiser to help them travel to a tournament, your presence at the event could be reason enough for the entire chess club to vote for you.
Maybe the student body wants more vending machines or better food in the lunchroom. Vow to address these issues as a class representative and more people will vote for you. Be careful when taking a position on divisive issues, however, as you risk alienating certain segments of the student body on particularly charged issues.
Regardless of your class size, try to convince each individual to vote for you. Be friendly to everyone, including your fellow contenders. Participate in class and answer questions so that other students look up to you. [3] X Research source
Don’t hang flyers or posters for your campaign in areas of the school where they are not supposed to be. Don’t pass out trinkets or gifts to potential voters if this is not allowed in your school.
If there is a particular hallway or room where students congregate often, place your campaign signs in that area. Use neon green, yellow, orange or pink poster boards to make your signs. These colors have been proven effective in catching people’s attention.
Try handing out candy. Everyone loves candy and they really like the people who give it to them for free! If your school doesn’t allow you to hand out candy, then try handing out bracelets, pencils, and stickers. [6] X Research source You may find that people are sticking your stickers on the wall and that is just extra exposure.
Again, neon colors are ideal for catching the attention of your classmates. Make sure to check with your school to ensure this is allowed.
You may also wish to start your own club or organization. Spearheading an initiative like this will allow you to stand out from the crowd as someone who is willing to invest his own time to improve the student experience.
Always be aware of the limitations of your office. You don’t want to make promises now only to find out later that you don’t have the authority.
When you make a speech, keep it short, and to the point. Tell the voters why you are the best candidate for the office you’re running for. [9] X Research source Speak clearly and stand confidently like you know you are deserving of the office you’re seeking. [10] X Research source When making a speech, don’t try to plead, bribe, blackmail, or make promises you cannot fulfill. Know what you can and cannot do in the office you’re seeking. [11] X Research source Add humor to your speech. [12] X Research source Don’t lie. Be honest. If you make impossible promises you aren’t able to keep, no one will vote for you in the future. [13] X Research source Make hand gestures and move around your audience while making speeches. This will help keep their attention. Join some debate or oral communications class or after-school club to practice your public speaking skills. [14] X Research source
Make a note of the things you promised to do while campaigning. Tackle those issues one by one, checking off your initiatives as you go. Be prepared to fight for something you promised the student body. Perhaps you said you would try to increase the amount of time between classes, but the school’s administration says it can’t be done. Don’t just give up. Ask questions of the administration and challenge any inconsistencies in their explanation. Your classmates voted for you so that you could represent them. Even if you can’t get them what they want, you can at least say you tried your best.
