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Syndicate contentAdvocacy 101

Tips for Effective Advocacy Talking Points

Keep it brief.

In general limit them to only 3 or 4 of your most important points.

Remember your goal.

All of your talking points should build to and support the goal of the meeting, whether it is simply educating the legislator or asking for support. If a talking point doesn't help with that goal, get rid of it.

Personalize your points.

Convey local and personal stories that illustrate your message and the impact of the issue. If possible reference areas or locals within the legislator's region.

Long-Term Strategies

Often longer-term efforts to influence policy development or government direction require more developed strategies to properly organize advocacy activities. This section will help guide advocates in developing a long-term plan, message development and coalition building. These plans should not be stagnant and unchangeable. Revisiting and updating your long-term strategies based changing circumstances should be expected.

Long-term planning

Getting Media Coverage

Understanding the fundamentals of how and when to write a press release, how to hold successful press events and tips on how to talk to the media are included in this section.

Press Releases These guides can assist you in developing and distributing press releases.

 

Getting and Using Information

Hiding in plain sight is one of the most effective strategies to advocate for access to government information--obtaining information under the current access policies and then making use of that information. By regularly exercising our right-to-know can we send a clear message to policy-makers that access is needed and useful to the public. There are several avenues available to obtain government information, including Government websites, Freedom of Information Act requests, and reading rooms.

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