TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING AN EFFECTIVE MESSAGE
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makers that started off on the other side of the issue . Instead , be friendly , informative and ready for questions . And stick around when you ’ re done presenting and ask the people on the board how they took your presentation . Get a feel for how things went . Ask them if they have any questions they didn ’ t get to ask during the meeting . Exchange numbers and offer to meet outside of the confines of the meeting . Who knows ? Maybe there ’ s a smoker on the council who ’ s been thinking about quitting analogs .
But be forewarned : Your efforts may result in you becoming a public figure . That ’ s one of the costs of getting involved .
TIP : Going to present at a government meeting should be treated similarly to your first meeting with your future in-laws . Be polite , well-dressed and ready for a barrage of questions .
Spread The Word
Maybe public speaking ’ s not your cup of tea . It doesn ’ t have to be to be an effective force for the good of vaping , though .
You may laugh , but believe it or not , newspapers are still vitally important in the politics of municipalities and counties . When a small-time politician wants to push his agenda , it ’ s the reporter at the local rag he ’ s calling . If he can do it , so can you .
Pitching a story to a reporter isn ’ t as hard as it sounds . It ’ s usually best to start with an e-mail and follow up with a phone call . In the e-mail , let the reporter know you ’ re pitching a story that relates directly to the community the paper covers . Provide some background and source material to help educate the reporter , and offer to serve as a source on any story they might write . Be sure to explain why you ’ re an expert on the subject . After a day or so , call to follow up and ask the reporter if they have any questions about the materials you sent along , and ask point-blank if it ’ s something that could work as a story .
A story pitch isn ’ t always a guaranteed win . You don ’ t get to write the story , and the journalist you talk to may have other ideas about how the story should be presented , both in terms of organization of voices and the substance of the
TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING AN EFFECTIVE MESSAGE
“ Once you ’ re on the agenda , be prepared . Do your homework , and don ’ t come empty-handed to the meeting .”
“ Transmit your letter in electronic format - no handwritten letters or faxes . Transcription is nearly unheard of in a modern newsroom .”
“ Start by calling the office of the body you wish to speak to and ask about how to get some time blocked off to make your case .”
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