Communications Tips for Advocates

1. Coordinate messages. Think chorus, not soloist. Contact the library’s director or Friends group to see what messages are current and important.
   
   
2. Stay focused. Practice your message and stick to it.
   
   
3. Be specific. Instead of asking for “money for the library,” ask for “$75,000 to keep seven libraries open two nights a week.”
   
   
4. Be personal. What does the library mean to you and members of your family?
   
   
5. Prepare sound bites. Use numbers and images where possible. For instance, “My granddaughter can only print her school reports in color thanks to library computers. If her branch closes on weekends, she’ll be the only one with hand-drawn charts on Monday morning.”
   
   
6. Stay positive. Instead of stressing limits, focus on the library’s great potential.
   
   
7. Be generous with your thanks for anyone who listens or, better, responds.
   

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