-- Making a presentation and presenting in front of people
-- Hosting a conference, seminar, or other type of public meeting
-- Demonstrate the issue; take the policymaker to see the issue first-hand
Secondly, you need to prepare yourself. Of course, you need to be well informed on the subject in case you are asked questions. You also need to practice messaging, especially if it's a partisan issue and you are talking to someone who is likely to lean against your stance. You should also bring some resources, such as studies, statistics, and stories to support your stance.
However, you don't need to have an answer for everything, and there will probably be some questions that you are not sure how to answer. If this comes up, reinforce that they asked a great question and let them know that you will either find the answer or direct them to a resource who can answer the question in an email by the end of the week. Be sure to never make up an answer, as that can have negative repercussions.
When you are meeting with a policy-maker, always introduce yourself and, if you wish, your affiliate organization. A great place to start is by asking them what their current knowledge or previous experience with your cause is. Since you want to have a conversation with them, finding out some of their interests can help you keep them interested in your topic.
If you are talking to someone who opposes or is skeptical about your cause, relating your cause to one of their main interests can help switch them over to your side. For example, if you are talking to a conservative legislator who doesn't believe in climate change but strongly supports firefighters, you can relate the two issues: Bring to their attention how extreme weather events lead to raging wildfires, which in turn can have devastating effects on firefighters' health.
When lobbying, remember to always remain calm. Fighting for issues you are passionate about can be an emotional task, but giving in to your emotions in the moment can hinder your objectives. By taking these tactics and strategies with you, you can make the biggest impact on the causes you are most passionate about.
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