2. Why develop an advocacy plan?
• Planning will help you find out ahead of time where the
major difficulties may lie, and to avoid surprises
(including those surprises that might make you look
ineffective or unaware).
• In addition, as with any project, planning will help you
to:
• Clarify your goals
• Clarify the steps that will take you to your goals
• Increase your chances of success
Adapted from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/advocacy-principles/advocacy-plan/main
3. Step 1: Know the Facts
•Research your issue so that you know it
inside and out!
4. Step 2: Set Your Goals
• Remember that it's better to keep your focus on a
relatively narrow, manageable issue, rather than letting
yourself try to cover too much ground.
• Each goal should be SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timed
http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/advocacy-principles/advocacy-plan/main
5. Step 3: Determine your supporters & audience.
• What groups or individuals are currently most
supportive of your goals?
• What key decision-makers would you like to have
on your side?
• What other groups would you like to reach with
your message?
From http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/advleg/advocacyinstitute/Advocacy%20Action%20Plan%20-%20revised%2001-09.pdf
6. Step 4: Create a coordinating committee.
• The purpose of the Coordinating Committee is to
ensure that your advocacy efforts become a
reality.
• The Coordinating Committee can keep track of
the many facets of your project, assign deadlines
to specific tasks, or delegate specific tasks to
others.
From http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/advleg/advocacyinstitute/Advocacy%20Action%20Plan%20-%20revised%2001-09.pdf
7. Step 5: Determine your key message.
• What is the most important thing you want others to
know?
• Think first about your audience. What do you want them
to think? Feel? Do? Feelings are what motivate people to
act. That feeling may be compassion, concern, anger or
joy. One of your goals in delivering your message should
be to spark a feeling, whether it’s pride, frustration or
outrage.
From http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/advleg/advocacyinstitute/Advocacy%20Action%20Plan%20-%20revised%2001-09.pdf
8. Step 6: Determine How to Get the Message Out
•How will you spread the message?
• Through print materials?
• Through digital materials?
• Through face-to-face presentations?
From http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/advleg/advocacyinstitute/Advocacy%20Action%20Plan%20-%20revised%2001-09.pdf
9. Step 7: Create a Timeline
• List the activities, the volunteers involved, the start dates, and the end dates.
From http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/advleg/advocacyinstitute/Advocacy%20Action%20Plan%20-%20revised%2001-09.pdf
