I have just joined The Liberal Party and am pleased to be part of this historic group. However, it is probably fair to say that most people in the UK are unaware of the party, or if they are, they confuse us with the Lib Dems. 
Although we are small, with just a handful of councillors, and a very small budget, how can we promote the party, increase membership, and raise our profile so that we see growth?
The party in its current form has been around since 1989. We are a strong party, but tiny. Is it time for a more pro-active approach to growth? Time to work on growing local branches and taking things from there?
I applaud all that the party has done since its rebirth, and the hard work that members and supporters have put in to keep Liberalism alive in the face of the Lib Dems, the Greens and others. But can we do more?
Obviously, social media is a huge opportunity for the party, but again, is it one we are using to its full potential? Being able to join online via paypal is a huge bonus, but could we make more use of video for example? I appreciate that all of this takes time (and in some cases money), but perhaps we as a party need to form a group that will act solely to promote the party and raise our profile. It need not be many (perhaps only one or two).
I am prepared to put my money where my mouth is for this, and welcome comments (for and against). Thanks!
In part one of the aims of Liberal 21 is to promote the party in new ways.  It is going to take some time and effort into getting it sorted out and set up.  At the moment the party seems to be split into two groups.  
First we have those who are members of strong local associations and are working very hard and tirelessly on promoting local issue in their local area.  They are doing a lot of good work and we do not need to underestimate their value.  However, much of what they do has little or no impact outside of their local area.
The second group are those of us who are members of the Liberal Party but either not a member of a local association (because there is not one) or the local association is too small to take an active role in local politics.  At the moment these very much left out on their own.  What we need to do is find ways and means to mobilise them and their talents to promoting the party.  
Given that the strong local associations are concentrating on local issues and the local political scene it makes sense to use those of us who are not strongly committed in those areas to deal with national promotion.  Liberal 21 has been set up to give us a digital platform where we can come together and work on things.
Personally I think the idea of a video is damed good.  If we could make say five or six short videos on key subjects we could look at putting them up not only on our own website but on platforms like Facebook and YouTube.  Anywhere to get the message out there.
Nigel
Hello, I am new to the Party, though was a member of the original Liberal Party in the early 1970s - pre Lib Dem days.
For a Party with very little financial resources social media is something that should be focused on as it's (mostly) free advertising. It's great there is a party presence on Facebook (it's a 'page' not a 'group'), Twitter and Tumblr. I feel sure the Facebook page could be developed further, easily growing the number of 'likes' and the Facebook and Twitter accounts can be linked so that brief comments posted on Twitter will also be seen on Facebook ( voting results for instance). As the Party is strong on community involvement more photos of community actions by Party members posted on social media would be good (such as have been posted of Steve Radford clearing up). People like to see that the Party is actually doing something.
Agree with 'Coton boy' that the PayPal feature is a good thing - the donate via PayPal option could be promoted on social media. 'Brummie'
Crazy, but rational suggestions.
- Perhaps a pact with the Wigs might attract greater media impact.
- I am sure a greater media footprint would bring many Lib Dems over. The Lib Dems today are too much part of the Political Party establishment. Secondly, the Corbynite revolution will soon go off colour in a few years.
- If anyone is adept at social media that is a cheap way to break out.
- However, great radical, pragmatic and balanced policies are essential. Instead of welfare-ism someone has to resolve social problems built up over decades. Throwing money has never worked in the past. A revolution at grass roots may work with people taking control.
- We might learn some things from the Green Party in Brighton. They are adept at social media.
- The Great Debate has to be the Soul of the Liberal Party - What it was in the past - What it might become. One has to start outside the box - not thinking traditional partisan politics.
I have ideas but I want others to begin this debate.
The Liberal Party does face an uphill struggle in promoting itself, as do all smaller political parties, but that does not mean it is impossible to break through if we address the obstacles. The pieces below could be used in material, promoted on social media or in letters to the press.
Confusion with the Lib Dems.
It needs pointing out TRUE Liberals would never have joined forces with the Conservatives and been part of the 'Cutback Coalition'. Whilst the Lib Dems would still not rule out another pact with the Tories, the Liberal Party would never entertain such a deal.
The Challenge from the Greens.
The Liberal Party were the original Party of Green Politics, championing environmental protection, opposing nuclear weapons and energy, promoting animal welfare, and placing sustainability firmly on the political map. Today whilst the Greens offer confusion as to whether they are redder in their politics than green or greener than red, the Liberal Party, the same as it always has done, remains committed to a sustainable green future. proving Liberal orange is the original, true shade of green.
The Corbynista Revolution.
The election of Jeremy Corbyn may have upset the true social democrat inside the Labour Party, but it has been a phenomenon engaging many in politics. But how can a leader and his Party, say they are for increasing democracy, yet refuse to democratise the political process through Proportional Representation? The Liberal Party offers electoral reform, opposes austerity and a future where people and communities are fully engaged.
Finally I think the obvious way to promote the Liberal Party is through being an active political party, and being seen to be active. "Super Saturday's" could be organised regionally where there are "Target Towns" for members across the region get together for mass leafletting or canvassing, introducing the Liberal Party on doorsteps to what are in many cases a very unaware public. People could be asked of their concerns, and if regional officers take up people's issues, we should feed this back to the individual. It is a big ask for a small party, but implementing it in small but ever increasing steps could see the Liberal Party gradually make headway.
There is quite a lot of unease amongst some of the local Labour Party activist about Corbyn's win in the leadership election. They are fearful where the party is going to go under his leadership and what place there might be for them in it.  It is doubtful if we could pick up membership at the parliamentary level in the event of a split in the Labour party but I think the chances might be there to pick up some local representatives.  I'm already talking to one Labour councillor in Leicester who thinks they may be 'deselected' next time round.
On policies such as transport, the environment, workers rights and defence true Liberals probably have more in common with Jeremy Corbyn than the Lib Dems. However it is the influence of a new hard left within Labour coupled with those of Trotskyite influence that concerns many in the Labour Party, in addition to voters.
I cannot see MP's defecting, but the Liberal Party could win over members, activists and councillors. A good tactic may be to establish a team dedicated to this, that would monitor CLP's where chairs and councillors are ousted by the new hard left.
I feel what the Liberal Party needs is a reaffirmation of what it is. As a Young Liberal in the 1960's we thought it was about Utilitarianism.
(i) Simplified that meant the right of anyone to do what they wanted to do as long as it did not infringe the rights of others to do as they wished.
(ii) Secondly, it was to spread the fruits of society for the general good. It was generally against imposed equality (socialism) and for a holistic view of society as an organism. So one might impose a insurance policy on new builds say for 50 years against flood as against having a codified Law. The reason being - that no one really understands the complexity of human social systems and we must allow them to evolve. The alternative is Stalinism, Fascism, Nazism and despotism. 
When one looks at the principals of the greatest radical liberal in C19th Charles Bradlaugh we see this action. 
What we now need is strident Liberal objects and not policies. Politics is about objectives and not policies. Policies are about implementation methods. One should be describing WHY and not HOW. How has many answers, it is strategy. A strategy does not inspire the electorate unless politics changes, and the electorate are better educated. With the state of present politicians and media interviewers, that is not possible. 
The Liberal Party needs to enter the New Politics Age not get bogged down in traditional party politics. 
I hope this will engender some questioning.
I think there is some real need for questioning and a need to revamp the whole party for the future. My starting position would be to drop all current policies that have been adopted by the assembly and start again from scratch. Unfortunately too many of the current official policies of the party have been driven by small local issues. Basing national policy of local interest is not a good idea.
Look at what the other smaller parties are doing get themselves noticed. Use social media more (free advertising) and post comment often with the LP view on items in the news. Have a LP representative posting often (at least once a week).