The document discusses the basics of effective lobbying including political action, grassroots lobbying, and advocacy. It provides tips for lobbyists such as getting to know representatives and their staff, keeping messages simple and focused, and following up after initial contacts. The document also outlines best practices for building relationships with lawmakers and presenting a professional image.

1. Effective Lobbying
Dr. Johan van Rooyen

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Effective Lobbying
What Is In It For Me?

3. Effective Lobbying
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The Basics:
•Political Action
•Grassroots Lobbying
•Advocacy

4. Effective Lobbying
Where does
lobbying begin?

5. Effective Lobbying:
Where does lobbying begin?
• Your work site
• Local offices
• Friends’ living rooms
• Phone conversations
• E-mails, Social
media
• Social events
• Community
meetings
• Hearing rooms
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6. Effective Lobbying:
Do’s or Don’ts?
What do you think contribute to
effective lobbying?

7. Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
• Get to the point soon and focus on your issue. Time
is precious.
• Keep it simple. Explain in simple and straightforward
terms the logic supporting your position.
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8. Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
• Get to know representative’s staff – they can be
as important as the lawmaker.
• Know your issue.
• Remember there’s strength in numbers. Many
issues are decided on the volume of communica
tions received.
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9. Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
• Remember important information. (Your contact
information with all your communications, etc.)
• Commit to your cause. Follow-up with emails and
calls after the initial contact.
• Be a good winner and loser; remember, you win
some and you lose some.
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10. Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
• Be patient. Results could take several months – or
even several sessions.
• Ask lawmakers to state their positions.
• Thank your lawmaker, no matter what the outcome.
• Use the media.
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11. Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t
• Cover multiple issues in one communication.
• Use form letters to convey a consistent message.
• Underestimate the weight given to letters and phone
calls.
• Make one contact to the lawmaker, then drop the
issue.
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12. Effective Lobbying:
Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t
• Let the lawmaker know that your organization has
asked you to contact him/her.
• Ignore opportunities to visit your lawmaker at home.
• Lie – never.
• Forget that you and your lawmaker need each other.
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13. Effective Lobbying:
Building Relationships
1. Get to know the political powers before you ask
them to do something for you.
2. Establish a positive relationship with your
representatives through visits, phone calls, E-m
ails, etc.
3. Visit your representatives in your district.
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14. Effective Lobbying:
Building Relationships
1. Invite your representatives to your work
site.
2. Provide them with background
information and offer yourself as a resour
ce.
3. Provide recognition and visibility in
exchange for their support.
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15. Effective Lobbying:
Message Articulation
1. Know and plan delivery of your message.
2. Practice, practice, practice! Nothing is more impressive than
a smooth and professional presentation.
3. Be brief. Show you value their time.
4. Get to the point.
5. Be courteous.
6. Don’t forget to close. Ask for their support.
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16. Effective Lobbying:
Professional Image
• Punctuality
– Know where to go
– Arrive at least 15 minutes early
• Physical Appearance
– You only get one chance to make a first
impression
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17. Effective Lobbying:
Professional Image
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Proper Dress
•A suit is recommended for both men and women.
•Men may wear pants and jacket.
•Women may wear a skirt and a jacket. (appropriate
length)
•Best colors are navy, black, and beige.
Shoes
• Men should wear polished dress shoes.
• Women should wear polished, medium heels
with closed toes.

18. Effective Lobbying:
Professional Image
Body Language Conveys Confidence
• Stand and sit straight. (Practice by placing a book on your
head.)
• Promote a positive image with a pleasant facial
expression. (Practice in a mirror.)
• Be the first to extend your hand in greeting.
• Place your arms on the chair’s armrests or by your side
with your hands gently locked in your lap. (avoid fidgetin
g)
• Keep both feet on the ground.
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19. Effective Lobbying:
What is grassroots lobbying?
• Using internal resources and networks to
advance the agenda.
• Demonstrating to key policy makers that
particular issues have support in their home ba
se.
• Focusing on the quality of information and
quantity of time with the policy maker. (Make th
e most of the moment.)
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20. Effective Lobbying:
What do I need to begin grassroots
lobbying?
1. Have an effective message
• What are you going to tell the policy maker?
• You must tell the story, and why you want to
tell it.
• Once the message is developed, the cadre
must use it consistently.
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21. Effective Lobbying:
Golden Rules
1. POLITICS IS CONSUMER-DRIVEN
2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK
3. INFORMATION IS POWER
4. A LITTLE PROFESSIONALISM GOES A LONG WAY
5. BE POSITIVE
6. THERE ARE NO PERMANENT FRIENDS AND NO PERMANENT
ENEMIES
7. BUILD A BOND, NOT A GAP
8. BE A PARTNER
9. ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY
10. STAY COMMITTED 21

22. Effective Lobbying