In this blog, we share 10 things any campaigner needs to know before starting their campaign, as well as what’s involved in the programme that made one campaigner say, “[I needed to] significantly increase my knowledge of campaigning and the various steps involved in planning, implementing and monitoring a campaign. [I now spend] significantly more time planning; building in time to develop a theory of change at the start of research projects; developing a new communications strategy; and incorporating learning.’’
Campaigning is rarely simple. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, the Campaign Carousel is designed to help you become a more confident, strategic, and effective campaigner. Through a mix of core and specialist workshops, you’ll gain practical skills, fresh perspectives, and a network of peers who understand the challenges of creating change.
Here are 10 things you’ll need to know before beginning your campaign, and how the Campaign Carousel will help you learn them.
- How social change really happens
To create an effective campaign, you’ll need to understand the forces that drive change, how power works, and how campaigns can create lasting impact. The Campaign Carousel‘s Introduction to Campaigning and Social Change is the best first starting place. Then, you can choose which strategy you want to use – from Digital Campaigning to Using the Law – and learn how change happens there.
- How to plan a campaign strategically
Before you can plan your strategies, you need to learn how to analyse the problem you’re campaigning on, identify opportunities for change, set objectives, and develop a clear route to achieving them. This is called a Theory of Change, and you’ll learn the building blocks for it in that Introduction workshop and further in the Analysing the Problem and Evaluating What Matters workshops on the Campaign Carousel.
- How to tell stories that move people
The most important part of any campaign is discovering how to use storytelling, framing, and messaging in order to engage supporters, influence decision-makers, and inspire action. The Storytelling For Change workshop will teach you all of that, and again, individual workshops from Community Organising to Influencing Parliament will help you to focus and adapt your approach for different audiences and approaches.
- How to communicate with the right audiences
Learn how to identify key audiences and choose the best channels and messages to reach them effectively. The Storytelling for Change module will help with this too!
- How to choose the right campaigning tactics
Each specialist workshop will explore a range of practical tools and approaches, and you’ll leave knowing how to use them as part of a wider strategy.
- How to build support for your campaign
You’ll next need to understand how to engage stakeholders, strengthen relationships, and bring others with you on your journey to change. SMK specialises in connecting campaigners, and the Campaign Carousel will not only let you connect with your cohort, but also teach you how to reach out to others when you’re ready.
- How to respond to a changing world
It’s important to adapt your campaign approach as political, social, and digital landscapes evolve. SMK’s expert Associates draw from recent case studies and make sure to include the latest strategies in their teachings.
- How to measure what matters
The only way to know if your campaign is succeeding is to evaluate progress, capture learning, and adapt from there. The Evaluating What Matters workshop will teach you just that!
- How to learn from other campaigners
It’s important to connect with people working on a wide range of issues, share experiences, discuss challenges, and discover new ways of approaching your work. With the Campaign Carousel, you’ll build relationships with your cohort and be able to continue sharing your learnings even after the course is over.
- How to grow your confidence as a campaigner
Perhaps most importantly, you need to feel part of a wider community of people working to create change, giving you confidence, skills, and support to take your campaigning further. 100% of Campaign Carousel participants reported that their confidence in their ability to campaign effectively increased, and we’re ready to help you too!
Ready to learn how to do all of these? Here’s what you should do:
- Book onto the Campaign Carousel, or our new shorter Campaign Carousel Mini, by 23 Sept. Or, better yet, sign up by 13 Sept and use the discount code “smkearlybird2026” for 10% off!
- Sign up for the SMK newsletter for all things training, social change, tools, news, jobs and more.