Tips on Advocacy Letter Writing

[Elaine]

Cat's recent post about her letter to the Senator and the fact that he did reply is the reason I am writing this post.

I have worked in advocacy for many years in one way or another. I learned a couple of things that may help those of you who are interested.

First, summer is the best time to write letters to congresspersons, state and federal. They all have summer interns, which increases their staff, and raises the possiblity that your letter will catch the eye of someone who will then advocate for you with the congressperson or the regular staff.

Frame your letters with a personal story, your story or the story of your loved one. Don't just fill your letter with your opinions and statistics. Tell a story of a person that represents what it is you are requesting. Congresspersons hear rhetoric all the time, so it goes right by them. The story of people and their suffering under current policy(s), however, have a much greater impact. In addition to telling your story, you must also imply or prove that YOUR story is indicative of the stories of others, so that you are presenting them with the fact that your case is not unique and that many other constituents are or may be facing the same or similar circumstances.

Election years are also a great time to write, especially if the congressperson is up for election. They do want votes and their staff is also larger during election season.

If you are trying to be heard by a journalist, someone who can bring your issue to the press, then by all means tell a story. People care about people and not numbers and opinons. You are more apt to get the attention and the interest of the media if you have a story to tell. Again, in addition to telling your story, you must also imply or prove that YOUR story is indicative of the stories of others, so that you are presenting them with the fact that your case is not unique and that many other readers are or may be facing the same or similar circumstances.

It's still summer and this IS an election year, so have at it folks.....

love

elaine