Printable Version Email to a Friend For more advice on how to successfully lobby your legislator, please visit the following websites! Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest WAND lobbying toolkit Engineering the law, Inc. NPAction: Lobbying How To

Research shows lobbying is essential to effectively advocate for the issues that matter to your organization. We recognize that lobbying can be a daunting task, especially for those with limited or no legislative experience. That's why NPAction is providing you with lobbying advice from the perspective of someone who has been lobbied: a former state legislative staffer. While there is no one way to communicate with legislators, there are best practices that have proven to get results. See what works, what doesn't, and how you can most effectively lobby your legislators.

Be Prepared

The cardinal rule in a successful lobbying strategy is to be prepared. The more prepared you are, the more effective you will be at advocating for your issue. While you are not required (or expected!) to be the foremost expert on your issue, you should be ready to speak with authority on your issue and know the following basic information:

• The name and bill number of your legislation
• What committee the bill is currently located in
• What the legislation will or won't do
• Why this piece of legislation is important to you, your neighbors and your community.

In addition, research the background of the legislator with whom you are meeting. You should get a sense of his/her legislative priorities and interests. Particularly, research whether the legislator has ever spoken publicly about your issue. Knowing their history and legislative background will help you get a sense of their perspectives on the issue before you even begin your conversation. For assistance in formulating a road map for your lobbying efforts, please visit the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest website.

Remember: All Politics are Local

As the former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill once declared, all politics are local. Legislators are in office to serve and represent their constituents. You will have a better chance of influencing your legislator if you can successfully show how your issue benefits his or her constituency. In order to do this, consider the following tactics:

• Mobilize the community: Legislators want to know what issues are important to their constituents. Encourage neighbors and friends in the legislator's district to write letters and make phone calls to the legislator supporting your issue. The more people who speak on behalf of your issue, the more likely your legislator will take action.
• Get in the newspaper: Writing letters to the editor is an effective way to garner support and publicity for your issue. Staff members are constantly reading local newspapers, so it is also a way to get on their radar screen.
• Narratives always win: Any personal stories that you can tell your legislator about how your issue affects you or your neighbors will be very effective.

Demonstrating how your issue affects the legislator's constituency is critical to effectively lobbying them to act. This can be done with research, data, stories and examples. Showing a connection to the district is a means of applying political heat without being controversial.

Develop a Relationship with the Staff

Developing a positive relationship with the legislator's staff is also vitally important to a successful lobbying plan. Staff members are very influential in most legislative offices. They know the ins and outs of the legislative process, from small details like where to find offices in the capital building to procedures on votes. To develop and maintain a positive relationship with a staff member, consider the following:

• Provide them with information! Staff members are incredibly busy and are responsible for sifting through a huge amount of information every day. Sending the staff information on your legislation and/or issue will help them to do their job. In turn, they will turn to you for expertise and be more willing to take time to meet with you.
• Offer assistance: Ask the staff member how you can help move this issue forward. They may suggest drafting a Dear Colleague letter, sending more information or updating their office on community developments. Make responding to these suggestions or requests a priority.
• Ask for their expert advice: Staff members are valuable resources that are often overlooked. Recognizing their expertise and asking for their advice will improve your relationship and make them more engaged in your issue. And making good use of this advice will increase your chances of success.

Consider staff members to be the gatekeepers of legislative offices. Developing positive relationships with them can really help your cause. This can be done by being professional, courteous and helpful.

Accomplish your Goals in the Meeting

The final step in a successful lobbying visit is the actual meeting. Legislators are very busy and often need to keep appointments short. So be prepared to make the most of your meeting:

• Be concise. Make sure you tell them who you are, what piece of legislation you are advocating for or against, and why.
• Tell the legislator what you specifically would like them to do. For example, are you asking them to vote for a piece of legislation? Do you want them to publicly support your issue? The possibilities are endless, but you must be very clear with what you want from them.
• Discuss a timeframe. At the end of your meeting make sure you discuss when and how your plan will be carried out. Put your plan in writing and follow-up with their staff.
• Thank them for their time and attention, even if they do not agree with you.