Our team at Red Digital Media and came up with this list of apps based on what we used on our latest StreetTeams bus tour through Florida. The app listed below helped us stay in touch with media, campaigns, and volunteers all the while getting directions to our next stop or monitoring our online reputation management. We hope that this list will become as valuable to you as it was to our team!
? HootSuite: This mobile dashboard allows you to manage your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Foursquare accounts while on the campaign trail. You can schedule campaign posts and tweets, add updates, track click stats and set up tracking columns to monitor keywords, hashtags and lists.
? Google Search: This app allows you to search the web faster and easier. It has features like voice search to allow you to search while on the go without needing to type, Google Goggles, which allows you to take a photo of what you see to get more info about local landmarks and it allows that campaign travel aid to find places near them without typing their location.
? NetNewsWire: An RSS reader for your iPhone. This allows you to read the latest campaign news from millions of blogs and sites that publish RSS feeds. A definite must for those who need to be in the know – while walking door to door or either in line, on the campaign bus or waiting for donors to take your call. You can star items or send them to instapaper to save them for later. You can also e-mail articles or post the links to Twitter.
? PitchEngine: PitchEngine is a web-based service that helps people campaigns create content-rich media releases. The mobile app allows campaigns and political action PACs to create portable, one-page PR sites, with images and videos and publish it to the world, all while being away from the campaign head quarters.
? Buffer: Like the desktop version, the mobile version of Buffer app lets you schedule both Facebook and Twitter posts while on the campaign trail. Buffer allows you to spread your updates throughout the day. You can add updates easily with the bookmarklet whenever you are reading an article in your browser.
? Cardcrunch: This app by LinkedIn is a great way to turn business cards into contacts, with LinkedIn integration. You can easily convert business cards by scanning the card with the card reader and uploading the information without needing to type. Very useful at coffees and campaign meet ups, conventions, and chamber events.
? Mobile Payment app: With the mobile age, it is critical for campaigns to find new ways to accept donations while on the go. There are many mobile app tools that enable campaigns to process transactions and payments, with next day direct deposit to your bank account. Square, Intuit GoPayment are for US based banking, while Payfirma is Canadian. It is well worth looking into a mobile merchant app for your campaign.
? Vignature: With most campaigns going mobile, its important to be able to access and legally sign documents while on the go. Vignature lets you access your documents from email or dropbox and open it within the app. You tap to sign and pose for a photograph. Your image is integrated into your signature, along with a date stamp. You can then email the signed document to yourself and any other required recipient.
? WordPress for iOS: With WordPress for iOS you can easily manage your WordPress blog or website from your iOS device. You can moderate comments in real time, create or edit posts, add images and video. You can now write, edit and manage your blog while walking door to door or riding that campaign bus.
? G-Whizz: This Google Apps Browser is a great way to access all your Google Apps, even from a non-android phone. You have access to over 20 apps right on your smart phone including Google Docs, reader, Google Voice, Gmail, plus Facebook and Twitter. You can send free text messages, track your schedule with Google Calendar, get driving directions and stay up to date with Google News.