3 checklists for your public policy communication

by
I recently came across some excellent policy communication advice from the Broad Institute.
I’ve tried to distil the major points into short checklists. I know many people don’t like to read, so a short SOP may help.
You’ll find three below.
Public Policy Communication
  1. Research the audience
    1. Voting record
    2. Positions
    3. Past statements
  2. Put your argument in terms that resonate with them. This is usually not what motivates you.
  3. Be concise and specific
    1. Put the bottom line first.
    2. Be clear and concise.
      1. 1 page, or
      2. A 15-minute conversation
    3. Make specific recommendations
      1. What to do from A-Z
  4. Write for a non-technical audience
    1. Avoid discussing the research
    2. Use  the right analogy to explain the data]
      1. This takes time, and it is not easy
      2. Set aside time
      3. Use specific stories to explain the data
    3. Eliminate jargon and acronyms
      1. All disciplines use a language that only they can understand
      2. Translate your language so your target audience can understand it
      3. Be careful when you use a word that has a different meaning for the general population that it does for you
  5. Rehearse
    1. You have one chance to make your case; make it count
    2. Make sure your words flow naturally
Source:https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/broad/commkit/public-policy-communication-introduction/
Policy Elevator Pitch
You spend a lot of time pitching your position.
  1. Some good criteria for a successful pitch are:
    1. Put the bottom line up front. Start with what you want them to do.
    2. Use a short analogy instead of facts and statistics.
    3. Connects with the interests or values of the policy maker.
    4. Do it in 30 seconds or less.
  1. What are you looking to communicate: Your policy focused elevator pitch includes:
    1. A recommendation that you want a policymaker to act on
    2. What should they do
    3. What the results of that action will be
    4. It is not detailed focused. That comes after they become interested.
    5. Use at the start of the meeting
  1. Analyse your audience
    1. Your goal is that the listener replies, “Interesting – tell me more”.
    2. Content and delivery reflect your specific audience.
  2. Skills.
    1. The pitch content is determined by these the answer to these questions
      1. What am I meeting with or talking to this person?
      2. What will be the most interesting thing I can say to this particular person?
      3. How can I best frame my work to connect with their values or interests?
      4. Tailor-made for each meeting. Select compelling information for the specific person you are meeting.
    2. Use simple language and natural delivery
      1. How you write and how you speak are different
      2. Keep it simple
    3. Be concise
      1. Prepare/draft the points you’ll say to this question “So what can I do for you?’
      2. Make sure you can say the answer in 30 seconds or less
      3. How to do this:
        1. Step 1: Write down a short description of your position
        2. Step 2: Bold the most important words or concepts
        3. Step 3: Combine the rearranged words to create a concise narrative while adding as few extra words as possible
        4. Step 4: Add the What?, Why? and Impact? What do you want them to do, why should they do it, and for the end, what will the impact be?
        5. Step 5: Write out the pitch and revise
        6. Step 6: Finish the editing and practice, so you are comfortable
Policy Memo
You’ll spend a lot of your time writing policy memos. If you want them to be read and your ideas taken up, here are some good suggestions.
  1. What does a good memo look like:
    1. Bottom line up front. Start with your most important recommendations.
    2. Provide relevant and concise background. Ask yourself, what is the issue being briefed on, and why is it important to the reader? Don’t assume the official/politician have previous knowledge of the topic.
    3. Put the evidence that supports your recommendations/conclusions.
    4. Implementation and Recommendations. Provide a blueprint for implementing your recommendations. Be specific.
  1. Framework
Your policy memo will follow a framework that looks like this:

  1. Purpose
  1. Your policy memo will be a summary of relevant information or a recommendation for a policymaker to implement.
  2. You should provide the pros and cons of the recommendations.
  3. Distil the key points down into one page so that a policymaker can make a decision.
  1. Skills
    1. Anticipate the reader’s behaviour and organise the memo for the audience, not for you.
    2. Divide the memo into sections and use the headers to convey the main points of the section.
    3. Don’t bury the most important point. Make it the first sentence in a paragraph. The rest of the paragraph can support or expand on the point.
    4. Use separate paragraphs and spacing for each important point, so they are not missed by the reader.
  2. Use figures and tables where appropriate. Options include:
    1. Text with data
    2. Text with table
    3. Text with figures
    4. Text with takeaway
Source: https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/broad/commkit/policy-memo/
An example

https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/broad/commkit/policy-memo/

 

1 thought on “3 checklists for your public policy communication”

Comments are closed.