Strategies

When it comes to advocacy, we’ll help you plan your strategy for making your point. What follows is a brief primer, but we encourage you to contact us for more detailed information and specifics. Briefly:

1. Know your opponent. Find out what is really behind the scenes and with whom you are dealing.
2. Clear up misconceptions. Myths, half-truths and outright lies can be very harmful and distract from the real issues.
3. Identify the players and roles. Enlist the support of other special interest groups. Be proactive and practice damage control by talking with the opposition before they make you look bad.
4. Utilize the political forum. Involve elected officials. Get them familiar with your organization. Invite them to a meeting or more.
5. Use the media to your advantage. Cultivate relationships with reporters. Thank the media and recognize their efforts when they do a good job.
6. Use 21st Century technology. Blogs, digital video, listserv e-mail are the easiest ways to communicate now, and quickly.
7. Maneuver through the obstacles. Work within the system to achieve results. Think like the opposition and consider how you are perceived.
8. Know the rules and tools that apply. Ask the right questions and the hard questions. Don’t assume anything. Be fair but discriminating.
9. Recognize the human toll. Know that burnout is likely, especially during long battles. Reach out to new people to share your message and the workload.
10. Know when to gamble and when to fold. Know your limits and what you can live with.

The Preservation Nation Advocacy Center is a good resource as well.