The Power of Your IdeasMake your point. Make it fast.

Make it matter.

ObjectivesUnderstand advocacy as a leadership skillLearn the traits of effective persuasive/opinion writingUse a strategy to plan your advocacy

Advocacy is a key responsibility.

Opinion and persuasive communications are effective tools for changing behavior and mindsets, influencing public policy, educating people and building support for our ideas.

What makes good advocacy?

What are the traits that make us respond to appeals, articles, op-eds, arguments, commentaries, etc.?

Effective advocacy content:Has reasonable scopePiques my interestTells a good storyIs conciseStarts compellinglyIncludes call to actionFlows logicallyIncludes other PoVs

Sticks to the factsCreates an “a-ha” momentHas correct SPUGIsn’t too emotionalCreates a sense of urgencyEnds stronglyHas clear voice, appropriate tone

The Content-Purpose-AudienceTM

Strategy

Download a blank organizer here: http://bit.ly/ChamberAdvocacy.

Audience Who are you trying to persuade or inform and what are their values,needs?What questions or objections will they have?

Writer’s Personality What adjectives describe the voice you want to have? What type of person will the audience trust and respond to favorably?

Content: Main IdeaThe most important thing you want the audience to know.If you could only say one thing about your topic, what would it be?

Content: Key DetailsEvidence, explanations,examplesSupport Main Idea and PurposeAddress Questions/Objections

PurposeYour call(s) to actionWhat do you want people to think or feel?What do you want them to do?

Put it all together.

How to structure your piece

See examples of these in action in our free downloadable packet: http://bit.ly/ChamberAdvocacy.

How to structure your pieceMain Idea-Key Details-Think-DoThink-Key Details-DoKey Detail-Main Idea-Key Details-Think-DoQuestion-Key Details-Think-Do

See examples of these in action in our free downloadable packet: http://bit.ly/ChamberAdvocacy.

Be heard, read, seen!

Where to shareLocal news outlets and blogsState, regional or national papers, blogs, magazines, radio and TV showsTrade or industry media

Where to shareYour own or your organization’s newsletter, blog & social channelsYour alma mater/school’s blog & publications Your chamber and other community organizations’ newsletters or blog

Questions?

Get the workbook!Download our 15-page workbook

complete with a C-P-A worksheet, step-by-step instructions and examples of

successful advocacy content!

http://bit.ly/ChamberAdvocacy