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Write a brief critique of your chosen advocacy website by commening on at least 3 items from each of these categories:

Some Questions to Consider:

• How do they prove the exigence of the issue?

• How do they educate the public on the issue?

• How do they use visuals or graphics to persuade?  Does the overall design lend authority or weakness?

• Do they target a specific stakeholder, or include many?

• Do they express the cost of doing nothing?

• What specific actions do they call for?

• Do they identify the impediments or obstacles to what they are asking for?

• Who are the opponents to the change they seek?

• How do they identify and attract like-minded people to the cause?

• How do they keep up with evolving data or events that affect the cause?

 

Build a Network

• How do they bring together like-minded constituencies toward a common goal?

• How do they build support and credibility among target groups or across demographics?

• How do they raise the profile of the issue by exploiting inexpensive internet platforms?

• How do they design events to rally their group or viewer base?

• How clear are their claims, evidence, warrants, etc.?

• How do they establish and communicate with their network of constituents?

• How clearly do they express their goals?

• How do they actively fundraising for their cause, or do they amplify a larger funding effort by routing viewers to another site?

• Identify and establish relationships with policymakers, organizations, individuals At what level are they seeking to influence:  policymakers, professional groups, individuals?  All?

 

Tools for Influencing Policymakers

• Meet-ups or events scheduled?

• Testimony in hearings or town halls?

• E-mail campaigns to key officials/policymakers?

• Telephone calls?

• Personal visits?

• Position papers that are rich in neutral, non-politicized data?

• Policy briefs that share current “best practice” info? (usually in pdfs but not always)

 

 

Tools for Influencing Via Media

• Fact Sheets, FAQ’s,  to educate the "layman" on the topic?

• Information Packets/Press kits available to reporters?

• Targeted, dedicated Twitter research and data stream/networked with reporters?

• Other social media networking?  Appropriate to target demographics?

• Dedicated website (only one cause)?

• Amplification of like-minded messages from OTHER thought leaders on the issue:  re-tweets, links  to like-minded websites?

• Youtube Channel/broadcasts?