Nonprofits and private businesses have a significant impact on public policy in Illinois, though many of them struggle to interact with members of the Illinois General Assembly and legislators. Navigating the legislative process and confirming your voice is heard by decision-makers at all levels, from the US Congress to local government, requires the development of a solid lobbying plan. What Is Lobbying? These actions can help you influence particular laws and public policies, whether you’re lobbying directly or through grassroots initiatives.
Examine the local news for the legislator
One strategy to increase your lobbying efforts is to obtain a district within the legislator’s district. Whether you are speaking with a member of Congress or a state General Assembly, reading the news about a politician will help you understand the district element. This can entail connecting your cause to a regional problem or adopting the voice and tone of a member’s district. Although many lobbyists get their information from reading national newspapers, local news can have a significant impact on your group.
Monitor the Lawmaking Environment Through Contextual Analysis
You must stay current on the most recent advancements if you wish to progress in government affairs. Using legislative tracking tools such as Pro Trackers, your government relations staff may monitor legislation and amendments that may impact your policy goals. Your team will have the up-to-date information they need to respond swiftly and strategically to legislative developments thanks to this proactive approach. To comprehend the ramifications of these advancements, POLITICO Pro offers contextual research and tracking features.
Recognize current affairs
Understanding what’s going on with the subject you’re supporting is crucial. When competing for the attention of legislators, who frequently have several open policy topics at once, timing is crucial. To influence policy goals, lobbyists should stay the recent changes in legislative schedules and news coverage. For instance, a large number of the tax benefits created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are scheduled to end in 2025. Since tax policy has a significant impact on What Is Lobbying? activities, public affairs professionals should forecast when lawmakers will be most interested in the issue and deliver a policy brief at the most effective moment.
Map Participants
By mapping them, you can identify your most important stakeholders. Organizing your team’s relationships in a streamlined manner, whether by topics, team member relationships, relationship tiers, or another method, is the first step in any stakeholder engagement approach. Since dynamics can change over time, if you want to employ this strategy, make sure your team has access to the most recent data by using a unified tracking system.
Make a thorough communication plan
Collaboration and constant communication are preserving long-term relationships with stakeholders. You will therefore need a strategic communication plan to ensure a message that appeals to their interests and challenges in a clear, consistent, and persuasive manner.
Your ability to successfully influence public policy is also enhanced by Pro Analysis’s context and analysis, which ensure that your messages are educated and effective across all of your platforms. You can take things a step further with Pro Stakeholder Management by creating and sending emails straight from the app.
