Be honest. Hand on heart. Would you feel confident getting in contact with a government minister about a local issue? If the answer’s no, and you’d like a bite-size bit of advice, here’s six steps to help you build your confidence.
Step 1: Believe it’s possible. Having a can-do mind-set goes a long way.
Step 2: Do your research. Who’s got responsibility over the issue in government? Who has it as a constituency challenge or a personal interest?
Step 3: Be clear about your issue and your solution. Think it through carefully and collect your evidence (stories and statistics that show you’ve made a difference to people’s lives).
Step 4: Create a perfect pitch. Following the “Six Ps” for pitching will help.
- Position yourself: who are you?
- Identify the problem.
- Project forward into the future (what’s the wider impact?).
- What’s your proposal to solve this problem?
- What proof do you have to back this up?
- What project are you currently working on?
Step 5: Gain access through you local MP, one of the minister’s special advisers or through someone you know who knows them.
Step 6: Persevere . . . Dream the dream . . . But don’t put all your dreams in one basket.
If you have any tips you’d like to share on this topic then please do add a comment or get in contact. I’d love to hear from you. Please follow me on Twitter @businesses4good.
Creative Public Affairs 
