How to Lobby: Be Direct

Legislature

In this series, we provide some tips on how you as a voter can successfully lobby your elected officials.

Arkansas legislators are regular people. Yes, they are elected to be public servants and your representatives, but they’re just like anyone else: They have jobs; they get bored by long, one-sided conversations; and they may not read every word of a really long letter or email. So when you communicate with your elected officials—whether in person, over the phone, or in writing—be direct. Get to the point. Introduce yourself, and then explain what your concern is, why you’re concerned, and what you want them to do (for example “Please vote against HB1234”). With a lot of issues, you might be able to do all of that in just 3 or 4 sentences. In fact, a lot of email messages can be distilled down to one sentence: “Please vote against _____________”. The clearer you are, the more likely it is your elected officials will understand your position and side with you.

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How to Lobby: Be Polite

Legislature

In this series, we offer tips on how you as a voter can successfully lobby your elected officials during the Arkansas Legislature.

Politics doesn’t always run on logic. It runs on relationships. And being polite is an important first step in establishing a good relationship with your elected officials. If you come across as rude or mean spirited, lawmakers will be much less likely to really listen to you than if you smile and are polite. I guarantee that Rep. Bob Smith (a fictitious lawmaker I just made up) will not want to work with you if he sees you standing in a crowd of people chanting “Bye bye Bob” when he kicks off his re-election campaign. There are times when it’s appropriate to have serious conversations with your representatives, but when it comes to making first impressions, a warm smile and friendly handshake go a long way.

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How to Lobby: Be Honest

Legislature

In this series, we offer tips on how you as a voter can successfully lobby your elected officials during the Arkansas Legislature.

Honesty is a pillar of successful lobbying. If you lie or exaggerate, lawmakers will find out. And despite whatever ideas you may have about politics and how it works, the majority of lawmakers are extremely honest and upfront. In fact, bold faced lies are a relatively rare thing at the Capitol, compared to the volumes of information lawmakers hear and share with one another. If you want to lobby your elected officials, honesty is an important first ingredient.

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