Activism 101 with Mike Maharrey

This is the 16th installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

In the last episode, I talked about putting on events. So, what do you do if you plan a great rally, advertise it all over social media and hardly anybody shows up?

Yes. This happened. But we were able to make some lemonade out of lemons.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about some ways you can turn a poorly attended event into a positive experience and still use it to advance your activism.

SHOW NOTES

My Rally at the SpyPole speech

The post Activism 101 Podcast #16: What Do I Do When My Event Flops? appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the 15th installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

Putting on live events like rallies or educational seminars are a great way to raise awareness, educate the community and even help fund your activism efforts.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about putting on live events. I discuss some different event ideas, things to think about as you plan and some pitfalls to avoid.

The post Activism 101 Podcast #15: Putting on Events appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the 14th installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

As you get into your activism, you will run into good guys – people who support what you’re doing. You’ll also have your fair share of bad guys – people who oppose your efforts.

Both of these groups can be useful to your efforts, even the bad guys.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about how to approach and deal with both the good guys and the bad guys to advance your activism goals.

SHOW NOTES

Good Guys

Bad Guys

The post Activism 101 Podcast #14: Dealing with Good Guys and Bad Guys appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the 13th installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

In the last episode, I talked about developing a good media contact list. But knowing how to reach the press doesn’t help if you don’t know what to say or how to say it.

The best way to communicate information to the media is through a press release. It’s not as complicated as it may seem, but there are some pitfalls to avoid.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about writing and send press releases, including some guidance on what kind of information is worthy of a presser, some helpful tips on when to send them out, and some common mistakes to avoid.

SHOW NOTES

We See You Watching Lexington press release

Press Release Formatting Tips

The post Activism 101 Podcast #13: Writing a Good Press Release appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the 12th installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

As you ramp up your activism efforts, you’ll want to let the media know what’s going on. While you have a lot of ways to get your message out on your own, media interest will help push your activism forward. In order to reach out to local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations, you’ll need to develop a media list.

In this episode of the Activism 101 Podcast, I tell you how.

The post Activism 101 Podcast #12: Building a Media List appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the 11th installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

If you can control the language you will be able to control the debate.

Words matter. Using the right language will help shape the debate in the way you want to, and will make it more difficult for opposition to counter your message. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually easier than you might think.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I share some practical tips and strategies that will help you frame the debate your way and ensure you’re the one controlling the messaging.

The post Activism 101 Podcast #11: Control the Language, Control the Debate appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the 10th installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

So, you’ve got a website for your activism campaign. And you have set up some social media platforms. Now what?

Social media is a powerful tool, but it will take more than just posting stuff and hoping for the best to get the best results. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram give you a way to specifically reach people who will be interested in your cause, but you need to have an intentional strategy.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about some specific ways to maximize your social media reach. I also share one of my early campaign failures.

The post Activism 101 Podcast #10: Maximizing Social Media appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the ninth installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

Once you build your website and create a virtual base of operations for your activism, you can begin to expand your reach through social media. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram provide the means to target your message to very specific groups of people in particular geographic areas. This give you a crucial tool for building your grassroots network.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about how to establish and expand your social media footprint.

SHOW NOTES

We See You Watching Lexington Facebook Page

We See You Watching Lexington Twitter

The post Activism 101 Podcast #9: Expanding Reach Through Social Media appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the eighth installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

Before an army goes on an offensive, it first has to establish a forward base of operation. Before you get too far into your activism, you’re going to need a website.

You webpage will serve as your virtual base of operation throughout your campaign.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about how to get started building a website, the importance of your domain name and offer some tips on content.

SHOW NOTES

www.weseeyouwatchinglexington.com

WordPress

Weebly

The post Activism 101 Podcast #8: A Virtual Base of Operation appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is the seventh installment of a podcast following local activism efforts I am spearheading to address the surveillance state in Lexington, Ky. Through this series, you will get an inside look at boots-on-the-ground activism as it happens. The goal is to create a step-by-step how-to on tackling issues at the local level. You can access the other episodes HERE.

Activism is a team sport.

One way to ensure your activism efforts will fail is to try to go it alone. You need to build a strong coalition.

In this episode of the Activism 101 podcast, I talk about my early efforts to build both a network of individuals who will share the workload and a coalition of organizations that will join the fight. I also offer some advice about working with groups that may not completely share your ideological outlook.

The post Activism 101 Podcast #7: Don’t Try to Go It Alone appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.