It’s not always easy to make change happen. Whether you are looking to gain funding for a local environmental issue or you want to change legislation on a particular matter, it may be necessary to explore lobbying firms. These are firms who will act on your behalf to get the issues in front of congressional leaders, allowing you to see a change.
Look at the Firm
You want to be sure to take a good look at the lobby firms in terms of what they have done in the past. Ask to see their portfolio of congressional lobbying so that you can see what they have been able to accomplish. It’s also a good idea to ask to see who is on the team. For example, there may be lawyers and lobbyists both who serve in high-level government positions.
Any time you can work with a firm that has distinguished themselves within the local government and within political and legislative arena, it’s going to be better for you. You want someone who is going to be able to navigate complex procurement processes and ensure that you know what is available to you.
Getting the Information
When you decide to work with lobbying firms, it is important to know exactly what is going on. You want someone who is going to be able to break down the process to you so that you have a firm grasp on expectations. No lobby firm is going to provide you with a guarantee that everything will go your way. However, they can be active in order to get your issues in front of the necessary individuals.
Determine Your Cause
Various causes may involve different lobbying firms or different approaches by the lobbyists themselves. You may be looking to procure money to fund a project or you may be looking to change legislation. Either way, there are lobbyists who can help you. You will want to identify whether it is a county, city, state, or nationwide issue. Further, you want to make sure that you know about the private and public sectors that would be impacted by your cause/request.
The more you can provide to the lobbying firm, the easier it will be for them to help you. They want to help, but they cannot determine your cause or what you hope to accomplish. It’s a good idea to take the time and do some research on your own before you ask a firm to get involved. This way, when you do sit down with lobbyists and lawyers, you can present a better overall vision.
It’s important to remember that lobbying firms can vary dramatically. Take the time to look at what they offer. This way, you can make sure that they are the right firm for you and what you hope to accomplish within the community.
