Keep it simple and concise.
Your messages should not be too complex or include too many issues. Test your messages on others for clarity.
Keep it relevant.
Your key messages should always be relevant. They should include a sense of urgency or immediacy. In almost every case, your issue will relate to other important issues in the community. Identify these related issues and highlight them in your message.
Start with a strong opening.
Begin your presentation with a powerful opening that will grab your audience’s attention, such as a startling fact or statistic, an interesting story, or a personal anecdote.
Make it preemptive.
Consider what the “other side” might say about the issue and include words or phrases that will preempt their criticism or objections. Know which of your opponent’s messages to address and which to avoid.
Make it powerful.
Effective messages are catalysts. They should have the potential both to elicit a sympathetic response and to compel a person to take action. Use your strongest issues to define the agenda for public debate.
Get in touch.
Please reach out with questions. Your feedback is valuable. If you’re not finding what you need here, let us know what kinds of resources would be most supportive in your Native Vote efforts.