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ADVOCACY TIPS
BE the listener – Always listen carefully to what others say to you.
BE efficient – Start partnering with firm supporters and move on to those who are moderately progressive or undecided in their views. If you have friends, relatives and/or colleagues who share your position, involve them because ‘links run the world’.
BE clear – State your position in an unambiguous manner.
BE polite – Always begin by thanking the decision makers for meeting with you. A sincere ‘thank you’ goes a long way.
BE professional – You must be professional in both dress and manner. Never say negative things about other legislators or public figures.
BE focused – Stick to one issue per call or letter. Information about more than one topic will confuse the message and water down your point.
BE honest – Tell the truth, there is no faster way to lose your credibility than to give false or misleading information to a legislator.
BE smart – One influential leader can help persuade other people. Anticipate who the opposition will be, both organisations and individuals. Also, know who else is on your side. It is helpful for a decision maker to know which other groups, individuals, state agencies and/or legislators are working with you on an issue. Remember ‘there is strength in numbers’.
BE prepared – Look ahead to consider who might object to the advocacy campaign and what he or she may say. Consider whether past statements give a sense of what kind of information he/she hears and how he/she makes decisions. Prepare the message before meeting with the person.
BE brave – Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something. If decision makers want information you don’t have or ask something
you don’t know, tell them you do not know and will get the information for them.
BE specific in what you ask for – Whether you want a vote,
information, answers to a question, signature on a petition or something else, make sure you ask directly and get an answer.
BE the one to follow up – It is very important to find out if the decision maker did what he/she said he/she would. Send a thank you letter after your conversation, restating your position.
BE the bigger man/woman – Even if you get emotional about an issue discussed at a meeting, be sure you leave that meeting on a
good note.
BE flexible – Use terms the audience understands. To be effective, you must be flexible enough to change your language, using terms
that the audience understands and appreciates. This is not ‘talking down’ to people; it is showing them courtesy by using commonly understood language.
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Toolkit & Manual
Advocacy Tips