Advocacy can take time to achieve success. A combination of actions may be necessary in order to meet your objectives. You could have to hold a number of meetings and events, contact partners, journalists or other influencers more than once. In order to structure your work, you need to think both about a long-term goal […]
Read moreAdvocacy is about being convincing. As mentioned a few times in our series (exercises 14 and 36), it can be more powerful when your message comes from someone other than you. You can try to get a celebrity to speak on your behalf. But you don’t have to focus on public figures. Your own visitors […]
Read moreAdvocacy is about changing people’s minds. You want them to think differently and act differently. Sometimes the only problem is simply that they haven’t taken the time to think about libraries before. But sometimes there may be some resistance. You need to be able to explain why they should spend time or effort on libraries, […]
Read moreWhen someone makes a judgement, they tend to care about what other people think. This is why, when you buy a book, there are usually quotes from reviewers. Or when you look for products online, other customers’ views are provided. We naturally tend to want to agree with other people! And if they are positive, […]
Read moreAdvocacy is about creating empathy. It is important to make the person you are talking with imagine what supporting the library will mean. Not just in terms of statistics or specifics, but in terms of how the lives of communities and their members will change. Or, of course, to imagine the consequences of not acting. […]
Read moreAdvocacy is powerful when you are offering solutions. The people you are likely targeting – politicians, funders, others – spend a lot of their time trying to solve problems. And there are plenty out there – social, political economic. Of course, libraries also need things from decision-makers – funding, laws, other support. But lawmakers may […]
Read moreSome of the most powerful advocacy comes from showing what you’re doing, not just talking about it. It’s natural for someone to believe more what they experience for themselves, than what they are told. They’ll also remember it better! This is as true for people in positions of power as for anyone else. Moreover, it’s […]
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