by Danielle
I got a Facebook friend request from a legislator today. Yes, legislators are on Facebook, the social networking website populated by just about everyone and their brother. There are a zillion pages supporting those running for election or iconic political figures, but somewhere in the midst of Vegans for Obama and the fan groups for Che Guevara are real, live lawmakers. Their status updates may indicate a speech on the House floor or visits with constituents in their home district or maybe a trip to the park with their kids. They join groups and causes just like the rest of us. Yes, legislators are people too. And you can be their friend.
Lobbying is all about relationships and building relationships requires interaction. Facebook, Myspace and Twitter can help you out in between your letters, phone calls and in-person visits. (The face-to-face meeting is still the most effective way to communicate how important an issue is to you – for tips on those indispensable old-school techniques see our ACT lobbying guide.) Share news links relating to farm animals, post a message to their wall asking support for a bill, or comment on something they post using it as a segue to mention factory farming. (Just don’t send them annoying requests to adopt virtual dogs or share virtual drinks.)
One thing I like about Web 2.0 is the real-time information access. While President Obama was addressing a joint session of Congress earlier this week, dozens of senators and representatives were Twittering away. Ok, so some folks may think this impolite, but they were listening to the first sitting president with a Blackberry addiction. Twitter is gaining popularity among all levels of government – find out who Twitters and start following them.
Of course not everyone is linked up in the virtual age, so if you scoured Facebook and found nary an elected-official of your own, don’t despair! Join the brand-spankin’ new Advocacy Campaign Team Facebook group. We’ll help you make some hay.
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