Regardless of whether it is a legislative press conference, congressional testimony or a television commercial, both your message and the person who delivers that message are critical. The person you place in front of the media on behalf of your organization might not be the obvious choice, like the association president or CEO. photo credit: … Read more
Newsletters can be delivered electronically, but there are still differences that set them apart from web sites. One of the most important differences is that while people visit a web site when they need to find something specific, a newsletter is personal and provides the basis for an ongoing relationship regardless of how it is … Read more
Rule 38 The Materials of Advocacy Are Fragile As an advocate, one of your most important tasks is to persuade others to feel and think a certain way about an issue. You must be able to lead others to view your description of an issue or your solution to a problem as the most acceptable … Read more
When preparing to give oral testimony before Congress , there are several rules and protocols you should be prepared to follow. One of these is the time limits for oral testimony. photo credit: Jeffrey Beall Time restrictions for witness testimony are often found in committee rules. The usual rule is five minutes, but in some … Read more
Organizations can have multiple messages they wish to convey to stakeholders and the media at any given time. There are many ways a campaign message can be created, but here are four basic steps that can help to ensure the process goes smoothly. First, you must have agreement on the goal of the message. There … Read more
Lobbyists should be familiar with the code of ethics adopted by the American League of Lobbyists (ALL), which provides basic guidelines and standards for the conduct of lobbyists. photo credit: Ryan Somma Honesty and Integrity Lobbyists should always be truthful in their communications with public officials and with all other interested parties. Compliance with Laws, … Read more
Whenever you must give an oral presentation, being aware of a few critical elements can make a significant difference in the impact of your presentation. photo credit: bionicteaching First, make certain you know how loudly you must speak in order to be heard. Venues come in all different sizes and shapes. Whenever possible, get an … Read more
Bradford Fitch talked about his book Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials. Despite conventional wisdom about the power lobbyists have in Washington DC, Mr. Fitch believes that a well-informed constituency can be a driving force in swaying elected officials. The book offers advice on how to approach members of Congress, the value of being informed … Read more
When you develop a communications plan, the goal is to get your message across to your intended audience. To connect your message with your audience, there are six common techniques you can use to accomplish your goal. photo credit: cyanocorax Statistics One of the most persuasive tools in any communication plan is the use of … Read more
Bradford Fitch will be on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” on Friday, November 26, 2010, 9:15 am. He will be interviewed about his new book, Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials. Video of the program will be available following the live show on the C-SPAN Video Library. The Citizen’s Handbook provides practical guidance how to prepare for … Read more