In the world of advocacy and government affairs, building meaningful relationships with lawmakers is essential to creating significant impact for our clients. No matter what your organization is aiming to achieve, engaging with your state representatives and staff can amplify your efforts.
Developing relationships can take time, so it’s important to consistently engage with lawmakers and their staff. Attending local events where you know members will be present, sending staff your monthly newsletters, and informing their office of any upcoming in-district events are all practical ways you can develop that rapport. When a lawmaker is familiar with your work and mission, it becomes significantly easier for them to advocate for you in Columbus.
Staff are the backbone of the legislature. Without them, it would be difficult to build the relationship you desire to have with lawmakers. As a former legislative aide myself, I worked to manage schedules, handle constituent concerns, track policy developments, and more. Through this, it allows each lawmaker to focus on their legislative duties and other public engagements as much as possible. It’s crucial to develop a partnership with staff as well because ultimately, they are the ones who directly communicate your concerns to their member.
Understanding each lawmaker’s priorities and interests is an integral part of building effective relationships. By aligning your messaging and advocacy efforts with their specific concerns, you demonstrate that you’re attentive to and respectful of their agenda. This preparation establishes a strong foundation for a productive relationship.
Oftentimes, lawmakers juggle many issues and may not have in-depth knowledge on every policy area. Policymakers rely on experts as the primary source of knowledge and expertise in particular areas of interest. However, it’s important to keep in mind that expertise does not guarantee influence. Presenting your expertise in a concise, straightforward way, along with building a personal connection can make your interactions more memorable and cultivate a stronger relationship.
Staying patient can be difficult, especially when you have a pressing issue. Ultimately, it is critical that lawmakers know the value your expertise can add to the legislative process.
Our job at Capitol Partners is to help guide our clients through the process toward positive results for their organizations and the communities they serve. If you believe your organization could benefit from assistance in this area, let’s talk.