I read something a few days ago that spurred, yes, a new Amyism on the importance of original messaging, and how you damage your brand when you "cut and paste" your way to engagement.

Amyism # 85: Original PAC and Advocacy Messages

“It’s intellectually lazy to appropriate materials and messages from other advocacy and PAC campaigns. The sloth is compounded when the messages are deemed as “new,” “original,” or, God forbid, “disruptive.”  Superior political engagement professionals devote earnest thought, effort and exertion into their engagement strategies and messages. Those who copy and paste their way to engagement via the thought leadership of others puts their professional brand as an expert clearly up for grabs.”

Authenticity engenders trust, which leads to influence. In this audio recording, I share highlights from my recent presentation at ASAE's 2020 Annual Virtual Conference on the importance of personal and advocacy authenticity. In today's cancel culture, is there a risk to being authentic? Which generation considers authenticity to be one of their top ten values? Empathy is an element of authenticity---what does the research reveal (so far) to be the empathetic leader archetype? Tune in to find out!

Our Grassroots Influence Pulse research asked respondents to share, based on their grassroots success and reputation, the  "most admired advocacy organization," and why they are admired. The #1 reason?  "Discipline of their followers."

The top three organizations (in no particular order) the AARP, the National Association of REALTORS and the National Rifle Association representatives shared their insights with me.  How do they encourage advocate discipline? They spend less time on a common activity and more time on something you should be doing.

Amyism #84: Developing Your Advocacy and PAC Leader's Evangelism Quotient

"Government relations staff cannot, and should not, serve as an organizations' primary advocacy and PAC evangelists. Every one of your advocacy and PAC leaders has a "why" regarding their engagement. It's our job to find it, bring it to life, and teach them how to communicate it in a compelling way."

It's always been essential to have credible, motivated advocacy and PAC leaders at the local level. In today's emphasis on virtual stakeholder engagement, limited staff travel and physical distancing, it's irresponsible to neglect the development of your "ground forces." Here's the story behind the story on my newest Amyism.

All breeds of fundraisers, specifically PAC fundraisers, are facing challenges due to uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 virus and the blistering economic conditions.

It’s not unlike previous conditions (the September 11 terrorist attacks, the great recession) that caused PAC professionals express angst at the daunting task of asking people for personal money, for a political cause, that has no immediate return on their investment. 

Add to the current economic challenges a highly divided electorate where every behavior is interpreted through a political lens, and, well, you have “a situation,” don’t you? 

But let not your heart be troubled - for those who are intellectually curious and are willing to do the extra work, there is light (and money) on the other side.

I was honored to be asked to contribute to an e-book published by the Advocacy Association: Virtual Advocacy During COVID-19 and Beyond: Best Practices. You can order the e-book on Amazon today.

Proceeds from downloads will go to the American Red Cross.

The e-book includes articles from Mike Fulton, Joshua Habursky, Patrick Martin, David Lusk, Matthew Zablud, Stephanie Vance, Matthew Wright, & Anthony Shop.

My take? Don't let the need for virtual advocacy take your focus off the need for virtual advocacy credibility. I share three risks to your credibility, and four ways to improve your online credibility quotient.

In this episode, I discuss my thoughts on why your grassroots influence past is prologue, and how to take what’s happening now and leverage it to improve your future grassroots influence capacity.

Remember you only develop grit and character (and hence, the ability to help others) when you go through difficulties. It's OK to feel angry, scared and sad at the situation you are in. Embrace it by acknowledging it, then flick it off your shoulder, stomp on it, and move on. Allow yourself to worry for a limited time, then get on with it. And, remember how you came through OK when dealing with previous challenges. Maybe you were not "OK," but you learned something that allowed you to help others, which to me, is the light on our path.

Don't waste the pain.

Your pre-virus work projects may have lost momentum. If that’s your “new normal,” this podcast episode outlines my top 12 tips and suggestions for making the most of this time while your typical work has been decelerated.

Amyism #80

What happens when Amy discovers her new client is leaving out the best part of their Purposeful PAC® story? Listen in to find out!

In this episode, Amy speaks about why good enough, isn't good enough anymore - especially for political action fundraising.