Advocacy Help Desk

Groups and associations growing right now and pulling their members and advocates closer to them are executing some simple media strategies. On this episode Producer Blake from Human Factor and Andy share what these groups are doing, proven ideas, tools and strategy, and how you can do the same. Much of this episode focuses on podcasting tips for those who currently have a podcast, and tips to start one because advocate engagement through association podcasts have skyrocketed during COVID. It then pivots to new tips for better virtual events to help provide more value to your members and advocates and diversify your engagements with them to become their trusted new source.

Nick DeSarno, Head of Grassroots & Advocacy at the Public Affairs Council joins us this week to talk digital (r)evolution. Over the past 4 months, advocacy groups, associations & corporations have been forced to overhaul their digital / virtual efforts. That means virtual fly-ins, virtual trainings, digital advocacy tools, videos, podcasts and more. What's been working? Who's succeeding? What's been falling flat? We'll hear from Nick as he walks us through both success stories & cautionary tales, guiding our listeners/watchers to be better advocates both today and into the future.

In this episode, we're joined by David Lusk, Founder of Key Advocacy, as he walks us through how successful organizations are surveying, cultivating and empowering advocates to "Extend the Enterprise." In short, we know there's no one-size-fits-all message for your advocates, so why are many groups employing that same strategy when talking to legislators. Instead, successful groups are evaluating the decisionmaker and picking the right messengers with the right message to get them the commitment they need. If you're not segmenting the offices you're talking to and finding the message that resonates with that legislator, there's so much more you could be doing. Listen in as we break things down and give you the tools you need to get started today.

Jordan Craig, from American Forest & Paper Association sits on the help desk this week as we talk about making the most of everyone's time during quarantine. We focus on balance and building - from repurposing videos captured pre-quarantine, to being succinct and even texting Hill staff, Jordan walks us through how some of his tried and true government relations tactics have evolved over the last few months. It's a deep dive episode as we talk through how AF&PA has adjusted their overall messaging, embraced XYZ and found success on both the state & federal level.

2 amazing public affairs leaders Jennifer Brooks, PAC Manager at Northrop Grumman, and Kristin Brackemyre, Director of PAC and Government Relations at the Public Affairs Council, join us for this lively discussion on Political Action Committees (PACs). So many in advocacy don't have a true picture of what PACs are and how important they are to advocacy - we work to dispel myths while hearing tips and best practices to managing PACs in a changing political landscape!

Ryan Hamilton joins us from his home in downtown Minneapolis to share his thoughts on race and diversity in Associations and Advocacy. Ryan is the Diversity Manager for the Univ. of Minnesota, a former Capitol Hill staffer, and former advocacy pro for the Minnesota Relator Association. He shares his journey and thoughts on diversity in advocacy – what association leaders need to do to move beyond statements to real diversity, as well as how groups need to help activate their members to support local change.

Award winning advocacy leaders Erica Farage, Vice President of Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy for the International Franchise Association and Caitlin Donahue, Senior Vice President and Director of Digital for Curley Company join us this week to talk transformation. Transformation of advocacy communications, strategy, engagement, and lobbying. A MUST WATCH for every advocacy professional!

Several groups have already run successful virtual events and we share everything that went right a wrong on this episode. We kill theory and go straight to discussing platforms, tactics, costing and revenue, content strategy, live versus taped and networking in a digital world. Learn tactics and strategy and what you need to think about!

Another week in quarantine, another week joined by an expert in the PAC & Advocacy space. This week we're joined by Amie Adams, President of Dunn Associates.  A 20+ year veteran of working with associations, non-profits, PACs and more, Amie walks us through what organizations need to do TODAY to connect with their advocates / contributors. Again, now is not the time for the traditional. Instead, think about your organization's purpose, promise and value? Do your advocates know it? If not, it's time to get to work.

In today's special AHD, we sit down with Tommy Goodwin, Head of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at the Project Management Institute (PMI) to discuss new leadership and succeeding in this time of crisis. We talk about how advocacy professionals can adjust workflows, mindsets and use new tools to elevate their effectiveness and really make an impact. We also discuss how associations need to revise traditional operations, communications, HR and workflows to be able to add real value to members in their time of need.