“Database and email management skills. Communication to our supporters is key. Once we’ve captured their emails then it’s up to us to engage, educate and inspire. It cannot replace face-to-face interactions but it allows us to control the message, and hopefully turn the mildly interested supporter into a fully engaged advocate.” – Jason Amaro, Southwest Chapter Coordinator, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
“There are a few great advocacy skills I’ve learned from my mentors over the years that I now carry with me everyday.”
- “Develop a solid team.”
- “Be persistent, but patient”
- “Issue campaigns are like marathons not sprints”
- “Define the win upfront.” – Christine Hill, Deputy Legislative Director, Sierra Club
“I wish I had a better handle on logistics when I first started. Time management when juggling multiple campaigns and issues can be tough.” – Mark J. Walsh, Campaign Director, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence
“Listening. When you get your hands on an issue you believe in, it’s easy forget the other voices in the room. The false consensus effect can derail even the strongest campaign. People assume that one point of view is the same as everyone else’s, and too often, people build their campaign from that false consensus. I found that it is best to anchor your advocacy campaign in facts.” – Gerry Gunster, CEO, Goddard Gunster
“….when I was a staffer on Capitol Hill I always wanted to do more to help those who came asking for help and were humble. Those who came in thinking they knew everything, and I knew nothing, got less assistance from me in the long run. Now I don’t wear suits outside D.C. anymore, and I make a point to always say how important voices are across the country at regional events – more important than a lobbyist in D.C. – and it resonates.” –Andy Polk, SVP, Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)
“With a background in political science and public policy, I never knew the extent to which grassroots advocacy is facilitated by technologically advanced apps and platforms … With regards to my first day on the job- it would have certainly been helpful to have had a more extensive digital/IT background.” – Brian Kaissi, Government Affairs Manager, Asian American Hotel Owners Association
“Institutional knowledge” – Matthew Wright, Advocacy and Outreach Director, Children’s Hospital Association
“Managing client expectations … never oversell the outcome of a campaign if you will only under-deliver on its successes. Likewise, always be cognizant of opportunities that may not be as readily apparent, such as working with unusual partners or joining previously untapped coalitions.” – Jesse Barba, Associate, Cassidy & Associates
“The greatest advocacy skill I’ve learned over time is to listen to people and learn how to connect them.” –Molly Checksfield, Grassroots Program Manager, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
“The importance of remaining calm, no matter the circumstances. In any situation, there is often more time and more chances to succeed than may appear.” – Dan Colegrove, President, ACME Public Affairs
“I wish I had a better understanding of the realities of organizing. I started his own advocacy group when I was in college with nothing but a blank Excel document. I got names, phone numbers, but that was about it. I now know that there are programs there to keep your data organized.” – Mason Tvert, Director of Communications, Marijuana Policy Project
“I wish I had known that the best advocates listen as much or more than they talk.” –Bernadette Downey, Senior Manager, Advocacy, No Kid Hungry/Share Our Strength
“I wish I had more html training, especially for email production and for simple website development. So much of grassroots moves so fast and having these skills would have allowed me to not have to wait on a graphic design expert or a website developer to create campaign tools and launch tactics.” – Joe Franco, Vice President, Grassroots, LeadingAge
“Better knowledge of database management or Microsoft Excel. Tracking action alerts from multiple sources is not easy and can easily overwhelm you.” – Kristen Prather, Grassroots Manager, Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
“Thick skin. It took me a while to develop thick skin … The sooner I was able to stay focused on the supporters, and less on the detractors, the better my time was managed, and the more fruitful the outcome.” – Emily Convers, Chairwoman, United Monroe
“Great advocacy is like a great golf swing– a deliberate action paired with good timing. Having a clear, concise and effective message combined with the right timing creates optimal opportunity to affect the political process. This is the sweet spot that makes things happen.” – Lauren Culbertson, Founder, Millennial Bridge Consulting
“Learning to connect the dots. Many times, I’ve looked at the time I spent on the Hill and realize that the person who was an intern behind the desk for Senator X is now the legislative director for Senator Y. Being able to connect the dots and stay abreast of the relationships that exist on the Hill between staffers, between committees is important — it’s really a family tree that is always evolving, and you need to stay up-to-date on that evolution.” – Terry Dale, President & CEO, United States Tour Operators Association
“On my first day, I wish I knew how to effectively pare down a 30-minute conversation to 5 minutes, while still getting my point across.” – Maria Perrin, Principal, Gide Public Affairs
“Listening. To listen with understanding requires knowing not just the other person’s language but something of their background, perspective, and history. Working across differences in race, religion, culture, class, and gender requires some homework.” – Rick Rosendall, Immediate Past President at GLAA
“Some people take naturally to planning and organizational skills. I was not one of those people when I was younger. In my case, I simply outworked everyone else so that I succeeded without any problems. But I probably could have saved myself some of that work if you had been a little more methodical.” – Dan Colegrove, President, ACME Public Affairs
“A 30-second elevator pitch for my key issues!” – Michelle Sara King, President & CEO, King Consults
“Figuring out the resources available to me such as financial, technology, and human capital. Understanding what tools I have to help save time, and maximizing which partnerships, affiliates and internal relationships I have.” – Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Lawyer & Founder, Women in Leadership publication
“That elected officials are people, too. I think sometimes we tend to forget that all of us, no matter the roles that we play in life, have dreams and aspirations for our families, our communities and our world. It’s the skill of simply turning off the loop of ‘all politicians are evil’ that constantly plays in our society. Actions by some elected officials aren’t the actions of all. The more we own that, the more we can collectively own the process of governing.” – Kevin Borden, Executive Director, MHAction
Having tried a bunch, the best advocacy strategy I rely on is …
“Establish a content expert regarding any advocacy engagement. I handle several digital advocacy campaigns, and I can’t know everything about every policy or project.” Stephanie Armstrong Helton, Communications & Grassroots Advocacy, Trinity Health
“Coalition building … While building your own advocacy base, and the various contacts and email addresses that come with it, is very important, leveraging your partners’ preexisting contacts might be even more important. It can take years to build up a list of advocates on your own, but by partnering with other organizations, you can quickly increase your own credibility, name recognition, and message reach.” – Austin Roebuck, Communications, Government Relations & Dealer Education Manager, Yamaha Marine Group
- “Know your elected officials. … Introduce yourself to your local official – city council, county commissioner, and key staffers. Attend your local officials’ fundraising events and/or town halls. I started in politics simply attending a small home [town] reception for a man who was running for city council. You can get to know so many important local officials simply by showing up…”
- “Enlist a retired elected official for your board. He/she will know when the budgets are prepared, when the vote happens, who the influential decision makers are, and who the elected officials listen to. Retired politicians often take on a “community leader” role – and have a lot of influence.”
- “Treat your elected officials and their staff like major donor prospects. They need to be informed, communicated with, thanked and publicly acknowledged – always – over and over….”
Gail Perry, Philanthropy Expert, Nonprofit Evangelist, Fundraising Maven, Keynote Speaker, Author: Founder, Fired Up Fundraising