Beyond the Letter: Smarter Advocacy in Tough Times

bethany6152
Sep 22
3 min read

Updated: Sep 30

Let’s be real: in this political moment, simply firing off a stack of letters to lawmakers can feel…well, inadequate. That doesn’t mean advocacy is dead—it means we have to be smarter, sharper, and more strategic.

You already have what I like to call advocacy superpowers. They’re the elements that give nonprofits real leverage when done right. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you revisit that post to refresh what strengths your organization has—and where you might have untapped potential.

When you lean into those superpowers, you shift from being “just another organization asking for something” to being an indispensable voice that lawmakers, partners, and donors listen to.

But identifying your superpowers is only half the battle. The question is: how do you wield them effectively when the stand-by tactics—like mass letter campaigns—just aren’t cutting it? Here’s where to start:

What Smart Advocacy Looks Like Right Now

Focus on Relationships, Not Just Messages: Does your lawmaker know who you are? Do they understand what your org does day in and day out? It’s about being seen and heard before you need something. Invite them to see your work, share stories of constituents, and build connection—not just when there’s legislation or a crisis.
Leverage Key Messengers: Sometimes it’s not what you say, but who says it. Do you have a well-connected board member? A volunteer or advocate who has trust in the room? Identify those people. Empower them to carry your message—legislators often listen more when the messenger is already trusted.
Reach Out to Legislative Allies: Your legislative champions know both the policy landscape and the political one. Ask them what would move the needle now. Their guidance can help you avoid wasted effort, align your asks more strategically, and perhaps unlock support in unexpected ways.
Talk with Your Coalition & Partners: You get far more when you move together. Reach out, compare notes, see where your partners have access or insights, and try to align asks and actions where it makes sense. United voices are harder to ignore.
Target Your Lists & Your Asks: Different folks respond differently. Your message to a legislative committee chair should differ from the one to a freshman representative. Your email to a donor will differ from your call to an advocate. Tailoring both who you’re speaking to and how you frame the ask multiplies your impact.
Communicate with Your Stakeholders: Donors, volunteers, advocates—these people believe in you, and they may be frustrated or feel powerless right now. Be transparent: let them know that you believe action matters, even when it looks small, share how you’re assessing what will have the best effect, and promise to keep them in the loop. Trust is built in these moments.
Leverage the Media
Reporters and editors are constantly on the hunt for compelling stories—and yours might be the perfect one. Whether it’s highlighting the human impact of a policy, showcasing your innovative program, or putting a face to an issue lawmakers are debating, the media can be a powerful amplifier. And when lawmakers see your issue making headlines, it underscores your message in a way that’s nearly impossible to ignore.

8. Hiring Snyder Strategies Is the Best Move

If your organization is ready to step up—not just do more advocacy, but do better advocacy—this is exactly where Snyder Strategies comes in. Here’s what we do:

Tap into those advocacy superpowers, and figure out which ones are strongest for your organization (and which you could develop)
Build meaningful, sustained relationships with legislators and key staff
Sharpen messaging and story-based campaigns that rise above the noise
Connect your messengers—board members, community leaders, standout advocates— who can elevate your voice
Help align your coalition, find leverage, and focus your asks so they’re strategic and achievable

If you’ve been wondering whether there’s a more powerful way to advocate -- there is. When you’re ready to move from reaction mode to strategy mode, Snyder Strategies is here to help you turn your intention into impact.

The Bottom Line

Advocacy in tough times isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing smarter. Letters have their place, but real influence comes from relationships, coalitions, targeted strategy—and deploying your advocacy superpowers in full force.

Because even in the toughest climates, smart advocacy works.

Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this?

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