5 tips to prepare for a debate

Whether you’re a seasoned candidate or this is your first time running, most everyone dreads debating their opponent. Every level of candidate is nervous about them and tries to prepare their best. President Biden spent over $12,000 on debate prep between the primary and general election in 2020.

We are confident you know your local issues better than anyone and will knock your debate out of the park (without spending $12k too). Here are 5 tips to help you get ready for your debate:

Know your opponent’s platform

Research your opponent by visiting their campaign website and taking notes. Check out their LinkedIn and Instagram profiles. Make sure you know as much as possible about them (without making it weird, of course). Here are a few general things to know:

• Understand your opponent’s platform (what they are running on and how they differ from you).
• Identify your opponent’s weaknesses (e.g., issues or past mistakes they won’t want to discuss).
• Recognize your opponent’s strengths (e.g., everyone has them; be prepared to respond to or even compliment them).

Do your homework on what’s important to voters

Research the issues that are important to voters. While you likely have a good idea of the biggest issues affecting your community, delve deeper to ensure you have talking points on every potential issue.

Memorize facts or numbers related to the main issues that may arise. Take notes on each issue and memorize your ideas, responses, and possible directions the discussion could take. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s good practice for debating; you want everything you say about an issue or topic to be factually correct!

Don’t go off script

Avoid deviating from the topic at hand. While it may be tempting to dodge a difficult question and talk about something else, this tactic is transparent to everyone.

Remember that voters tune in to hear your responses to tough questions. They do not want to hear you pivot and repeat your main points over and over again. Face the tough questions head-on; your candor and ability to address difficult issues will be appreciated by voters.

Maintain confidence

Confidence is crucial in winning debates. It gives you the strength to deliver your arguments and rebut your opponent’s points convincingly.

To maintain confidence, thoroughly learn both sides of the issue so that you can respond quickly if your opponent brings up something unexpected. Also, don’t be afraid to admit when you’re unsure about a topic. Say it with confidence and honesty; lying will be worse.

Remember, everyone on stage is nervous. The stakes are high for your opponents too. Don’t forget, they're facing the best candidate in the race! This point aligns with our final tip.

Have fun!

This might be the most important tip of all – HAVE FUN! While this is an important event, it should also be enjoyable. You are the person in the arena, putting yourself out there to serve, and now testing your ideas. Don’t take yourself too seriously and have a good time. You’ll find that doing so will improve your performance significantly compared to the timid/nervous version of yourself.

Now that you’ve read through these tips, you should feel more confident in your ability to prepare for the upcoming debate. The key takeaway is that preparation breeds confidence, leading to calm and cool composure when you go head-to-head.

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