The Art and Science of the BFF
(Overview below)
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Overview: The Art and Science of the BFF
Many well-meaning grassroots volunteers and organizations make a critical mistake: they attempt to build relationships with their elected officials only when they need a favor or a specific vote. However, just like anyone else, lawmakers prefer to listen to and work with individuals they already know and trust.
This serves as a comprehensive guide to bridging that gap. It provides 105 actionable strategies to help constituents become trusted advisors by actively increasing their visibility and credibility with their representatives.
The Foundation: Do Your Homework
Before reaching out, it is essential to research your legislator’s priorities and background. Constituents should set up news alerts, track the lawmaker’s voting record, monitor their campaign contributions, and follow their social media accounts to gain a clear understanding of their interests.
The Five Pillars of Political Networking
The strategies outlined in the guide range from “low engagement” tasks (like social media interaction) to “high engagement” efforts, divided into five core categories:
1. Legislator Publicity To leave a legacy, legislators must be re-elected, making positive publicity incredibly valuable to them. You can help facilitate this by writing supportive letters to the editor, acting as a third-party endorser on social media, or inviting the lawmaker to speak at community events to grant them access to new voters.
2. Legislative Activities Lawmakers juggle hundreds of issues each year; supporting their broader legislative goals—even those outside your specific industry—helps you stand out. Effective tactics include sending thank-you notes for difficult votes, organizing informal advisory committees to share your professional expertise, and hand-delivering organizational fact sheets.
3. General Networking (Keeping in Touch) The true key to relationship-building is how you interact with your legislator when you don’t need anything from them. Simple gestures leave a lasting impact, such as asking about their family, sending birthday or holiday cards, forwarding articles related to their personal hobbies, or alerting them to major news in their district.
4. Campaign Volunteer Activities Research shows that lawmakers consider campaign volunteers to be among their most influential constituents, second only to family and close friends. You can invest in their career by hosting “meet the candidate” events, making phone calls, distributing yard signs, or standing by a polling location on Election Day.
5. Legislative Staff Communications Legislative staff members act as the gatekeepers of information and access. Building relationships with the staff is just as important as building them with the legislator. Introduce yourself early in the legislative session, connect with them on social media, and always send thank-you notes for their assistance with inquiries or scheduling.
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About the Author
Amy Showalter is a nationally recognized expert in grassroots advocacy and political action committee (PAC) programs. Through her consultancy, The Showalter Group, she has helped revitalize the political outreach efforts of major organizations like Southwest Airlines, Pfizer, and the American Heart Association.