Think about the last time you received a text. Did you open it? The answer is, likely, yes. Now, think about the last time you received an email. Depending on the email, you may have blindly deleted it or opened it, depending on who sent the message and what the subject line was. The average…
On Wednesday, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy stood in the Rose Garden and announced his retirement, ending a 30-year run that began when he was appointed by President Reagan. Kennedy is no stranger to controversy—he was the unpredictable swing vote in dozens of landmark cases. His departure from the Supreme Court during the Trump era,…
When it comes to corporate social responsibility in 2018, it’s not enough anymore for companies to simply create a more environmentally-friendly supply chain or provide comfortable work environments abroad. Consumers and employees are now expecting companies to take a stand on social issues. According to a Cone Communications study conducted in 2017, 78% of consumers…
As 2017 comes to a close, we are turning the page on a year that has ushered in a new era of civic engagement across our country and around the world. Just as the Presidential election has shuffled the deck in Washington, DC, and statehouses across the country, 2017 has been a transformative time for…
Do you know the most direct way to reach your Congressman? Hint: It’s not by snail mail, email, or even the phone. According to Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), it’s through social media—especially Facebook and Twitter. With government email systems that filter out messages from non-constituents and staffers who vet phone calls to the office, social…
“Over my more than 14 years of public service, advancements in technology—and social media specifically—have made it easier to engage with constituents and hear their opinions.” That’s what Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) posted on his Facebook page after his featured “fireside chat” at our inaugural Good Tech Summit. The Good Tech Summit gathered hundreds of…
Log in to your Facebook or Twitter account. Right now. Scroll through your news feed. I’ll bet that you’ll find posts and tweets from friends advocating for public policy issues without having to scroll too far down the page. Now, if you are an advocacy campaign manager, imagine what would happen if one of your…
Thanks to technology, you never have to wonder whether your advocacy campaigns are mobilizing people. While digital tools do not replace in-person visits to lawmakers’ offices, they do bridge people and advocacy in ways that have never before been possible. The most cost-effective ways for constituents to engage with their lawmakers is through Facebook, Twitter,…
The president’s 100th day in office is fast approaching. Aside from executive orders, bills passed, and nominations confirmed, the president has stimulated a massive increase in grassroots advocacy since his election. Large crowds visited D.C. on the weekend of the inauguration, both to support and oppose the president. Town halls have been flooded with constituents…
The rules for engaging advocates and key stakeholders of organizations are rapidly changing. In my article for Campaigns and Elections, I explain why the old ways of outreach no longer work and how the influx of technology and social media is currently challenging the conventional ladder of advocate engagement. Using Facebook Ads to Increase Advocate…