Today we’d like to introduce you to Layne Provine.
Hi Layne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my political consulting practice in 1998 after working as an Administrator in Shelby County government for several years. I knew I wanted to make a career in campaign politics–if this was even possible. Local government was not my best long term career path, so I took a chance and started my political consulting business.
Initially, I focused on local campaigns as most of my contacts were in the Memphis and Shelby County area. I offered general political consulting services to conservative candidates: strategy, messaging, and advertising. Later, I developed relationships throughout Tennessee and Mississippi. I began working with more clients across a wider area, particularly state legislative candidates. Eventually, I expanded into Arkansas.
Today, I consult with clients across Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and, occasionally, other southern states. My practice focuses primarily on state legislative candidates, although I take on local, congressional, and statewide clients at times too. General political consulting and direct mail are the two primary services I offer clients. My firm produces several million pieces of political mail each election cycle.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a campaign consulting business from the ground up has its challenges, particularly beginning my practice more than a quarter of a century ago when the political consulting world was in its infancy.
Do you want to work nationally, regionally, or in one particular state?
Do you want to hire employees or maintain a one-man shop?
Do you want to provide a full range of services or focus on a few offerings and sub out other services?
Do you want to lobby, do corporate work, or focus solely on political campaigns?
My first challenge was building a network of relationships. This simply takes time. As does building a good reputation for providing quality services at a reasonable price.
I’ve seen a lot of changes. In the 1990’s, artwork was shared by fax machine! Obviously, most everything is done electronically nowadays.
Nothing replaces phone calls and face-to-face meetings, however. Politics is a relationship-based business and clients want to see their consultant…or at least hear his voice on the phone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My political practice is built around general strategic consulting and direct mail. I have a turnkey direct mail operation I utilize with all of my clients. Unlike in a statewide or presidential campaign where TV advertising is the primary means of communication between a campaign and the voters, direct mail is the most effective and efficient way to reach those likely to vote in state legislative elections.
Communicating a message that resonates with the voters is the key to victory for candidates. My job is to effectively deliver this message. I write all of the mail copy and contract with graphic designers who develop the art for my mail.
My mail is known for having a strong, simple message that is easy for readers to digest. I’m proud of my record delivering a high-quality product at a reasonable price to clients and ensuring it reaches the voters in a timely fashion.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Communication is critical to success. Listening to clients. Observing and understanding each clients’ constituency. Reading and interpreting survey research. Developing a message that resonates with voters and then delivering this message to the voters. Each of these aspects of a political campaign centers around communication. Communication is key to victory in a campaign. It’s also critical to long term success in the political business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MarginOfVictory.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570646480061
