Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a refreshing, restful holiday break. As the 89th Texas Legislative Session kicks off, The Mach 1 Group (Mach 1) team is excited to share some valuable communications tips to help navigate the busy and often unpredictable environment. Whether you’re working with elected officials, state agencies or advocacy organizations, effective communication can make a real difference in shaping the outcome of your legislative priorities. We’d like to share some best practices to help you and your team stay ahead of the game during this critical time of year.
- Craft Clear and Consistent Messaging: With various stakeholders involved in the legislative process, consistency is key. Ensure that all communication—whether it’s a press release, social media post or email—is aligned with your organization’s messaging. Avoid jargon and make your key points easy to understand for a variety of audiences, from lawmakers to the general public.
- Engage in Proactive Media Outreach: During the Legislative Session, media coverage can shift quickly. Build relationships with key reporters and editors early on. Proactive outreach, including pitch emails, op-eds or letters to the editor, can help ensure your organization’s priorities are covered. Keep in mind that timing is everything—newsrooms stay busy during the Session, so make sure to be clear and concise in all media outreach.
- Monitor Legislative Progress: Stay informed about bill progress, committee hearings and amendments in real time. Subscribe to legislative tracking services and consistently monitor the Texas Legislature’s website for updates. This will allow you and your team to act quickly if you need to mobilize your audience or shift your communications strategy.
- Follow Along on Our #TxLege Tips Series: Throughout this fast-paced, high-pressure Session, be sure to keep an eye on Mach 1’s social media pages—where we will continue to share vital tips to help you stay prepared for anything that can happen in the Legislature.
