Make It Personal!

Why Your Voice Matters

Each week federal and state legislators typically receive hundreds, if not thousands of form communications—pre-written or pre-printed emails, letters, postcards and petitions—advocating on a wide range of issues and legislation. In a world where information is transmitted with great speed, these communications are a powerful way to rapidly mount large campaigns and enable citizens to act quickly on important issues.  

Yet, despite the growing convenience that form correspondences offer, it is vital that we as individuals also continue using our own voices through personal phone calls, emails and letters when contacting government representatives.  

Simply put, the “personal touch” still remains one of the most effective, memorable, and sincere ways to express your view on issues from the local to national level.

So communicating through organizations is not effective?

Organizations have a strong influence and are effective in advocating on important issues—especially when communicating directly with representatives on behalf of their memberships. Legislators want to hear from both organizations and the individuals behind them; however, according to a study released by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) in 2005, legislators often do not trust form communications as reliable sources of the individual’s voice.

I don’t write well and I hate talking on the phone.

Maybe, but keep this in mind: the same CMF 2005 study found that while pre-formatted communications can be effective advocacy tools, most politicians still prefer to receive individualized correspondences—its your effort to speak out that counts, not perfect grammar.

Click here for tips on communicating with letters and phone calls!

But how will my voice be heard?  

Because legislators are inundated with pre-formatted communications on thousands of issues, a personal letter or email is often more noticeable and garners quicker attention—plus, taking the time and effort to write and send your own communication is a strong statement about how much you care about the issue at-hand. Did we mention the same “rings” true for personal phone calls?

Conclusion

Form communications are an excellent way to mobilize a fast and powerful message to our state and federal representatives and even private industry leaders, and therefore, have a valuable place in our advocacy efforts.  

Yet, let us not forget perhaps the most powerful tool each of us has—our own voice.

Updated October 2009

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