You don't have to know everything! What matters is that you care enough to run. There will always be people in any arena who will know less and know more than you, The question is, do I care enough? And am I willing to do more of both. More caring and more learning.

Ask a lot of questions! If you're running for local office, you're going to want to talk to people who have run before, your supervisor of election, people who have done the job, even the person who currently holds the office. What was their day-to-day like? How big was their team? How much money did they raise? What did they do to campaign? Be a sponge.

Build your own campaign staff and don't ever turn down help! Your team should be a mix of people who know you well and people who know campaigns well. Every race is different, but you'll probably want to find someone to manage money, communications, and volunteers. And every team needs a campaign manager. After the big roles are filled, there are plenty of smaller tasks that need to be powered by humans: literature drops, phone calls, building and installing signs, knocking on doors, making food, etc. When people offer to help, give them a job.

Fundraising isn't scary! In a lot of cases, fundraising is the difference between a winning and a losing campaign. You might not think you need that much money, but think through your expenses — from a website domain to a campaign office to stamps — set a goal for how much you need to raise. then, ask away. In general, people won't just offer you money, you're going to have to be the one to make the ask. But remember, you're not asking for money for yourself, you're asking for money to support change that you and the donor believe in. People often feel more connected to your campaign and motivated to help if they have a financial stake, even a small one.

You're on an amazing adventure. Don't forget to stop and celebrate all your accomplishments, big or small, along the way. We are so proud of you!