For those of us immersed in the 88th Texas Legislative Session, congratulations on passing the halfway point! With less than two months left, advocacy efforts have kicked into full gear. As we move forward, it’s important to remember the powerful tool at our disposal: the testimony of Texans who share their experiences, perspectives and expertise during committee hearings.
But testimonies can be more than just information shared with lawmakers. Here are some tips to maximize their impact:
- Share quotes on social media: Take impactful quotes from testimony and share them on social media channels to amplify the message and encourage others to get involved. Don’t forget to include a solid call to action!
- Use excerpts for press statements: Create media statements using passages from testimony to share with reporters. Doing so will increase your chances of earning media placement, raise awareness of the issue and lend credibility to your brand.
- Transform testimony into an op-ed or letter to the editor: Expand on your testimony by turning it into an opinion piece in targeted markets. This allows you to provide more context and detail about the issue and persuade constituents in key districts to take action.
- Capture and share video footage: Use archived testimony to create a short video or record live testimony on an iPhone. Video is a powerful medium to share with constituents in a newsletter or through digital channels to mobilize support.
To give your bill a competitive edge – don’t just focus on committee hearings – get the word out to the public, too! By building momentum and gathering support, you can increase your chances of getting it passed into law.
