Make  it  Ma(er.  Tell  great  stories.  

Kris1n  Wolff  (CSW)  Melodee  Hagensen  (CSW)  Sharon  Parry  (RWS)  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goddessofrockandroll/3273189855/

Storytelling basics

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Engaging (L)EOs

Why?

There have been great societies that did not have the wheel, but there have been no societies where people did not tell stories. -Ursula LeGuin

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oreilly/6739579/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/caninest/4395380130/

The truth is more important than the facts. -Frank Lloyd Wright

Why here and now?

WIBs, programs, policy-makers are doing good work.

Photo credit: Flickr friend iscg http://www.flickr.com/photos/88158121@N00/2905760814/in/set-72157607641553198/

Policy

Program Engagement

Leadership

Results?

Is that it? With whom do you share what? How?

Andy Goodman Speaks the Truth

There’s a better way.

1. Use story structure

2. Build a (social) library

3. Share & Tell (stories)

Building blocks of story

21% of out-of school youth were unable to obtain employment the second quarter after completion.

21% of out-of school youth were unable to obtain employment the second quarter after completion.

1 in 5 young people can’t find jobs, so we’re …. And it’s changing… You could help by…

Build a (social) library. Flickr (home, Michigan) YouTube (youth, contest, SDWP) Facebook (DOL, “the couv”) Wikis (wearemedia, wearemedia for NAWB) Twitter (workforce)

Experts

Community engagement matters. Stories engage.

Photo credit: Flickr friend Ian Sane http://www.flickr.com/photos/31246066@N04/4350033809/

“Be ruthless.”

900 Victors Way, Suite 350 Ann Arbor, MI 48108 734.769.2900 www.skilledwork.org

kwolff@skilledwork.org (@kristinwolff, @skilledwork_org) mhagensen@skilledwork.org (@melodeekay)

Thank you!

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EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY - WORKING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS

-Sharon Parry, Real WorkForce Solutions

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

 What is his/her position on workforce issues?

 What are his/her hot button issues? Can these be tied to workforce?

 What local workforce issues could be of particular importance to him/her?

 What is the relationship with his/her political party?

 Who are his/her key staffers on workforce issues?

GATHER FACTS AND DATA

 Make sure your information is relevant to your audience’s interests.   Number of individuals and/or businesses helped.   Average wage rate of placements.   Special characteristics/demographics of individuals/

businesses assisted.   Human interest angle.   Type(s) of funding used and approximate dollar

amount invested.   Benefits to individuals/businesses/community at

large.  Review information with a third party to check

for problems/issues.

PRESENT YOUR STORY

  Secure an introduction

  Issue an invitation (and play the waiting game)

  Include others

  Tell your story – succinctly!

  Provide collateral materials

  Make a request (if applicable)

  Follow up and say “Thank You”

TIPS FOR THANK YOU NOTES

 Open with a direct thank you.

 Reference your organization’s name.

 Discuss your meeting – its importance/significance.

 Re-emphasize key points, successes, or needs.

BUILD A WORKING RELATIONSHIP

 Follow his/her work   Website   News stories   Meetings with staffers

 Make your organization the “go-to” place for workforce information   Brochures   Program results   Rapid Response updates   Special Events   Labor Market Information   Newsletters / Annual Reports / Meetings   Press Releases

STANDARD PRESS RELEASE FORMAT

PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTION

 Elected Officials  Newspapers  Radio stations  Television stations  Local blogs  Facebook page  Schools and training institutions, as applicable

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH THE PRESS    Less is more. Provide key information only. Providing too many statistics or details

may result in an inaccurate or confusing story.

   Watch your mouth. Only say things that you would like to see printed in the newspaper or reported on the evening news. Don’t get too casual during interviews!

   Nothing is off the record. Reporters jump at the chance to get a scoop. Do not provide “off the record” information – even if you are promised anonymity.

     Reporters are not your friends. Their job is to report the news. If it is bad, they will not

fall on their swords to try and protect you.      Bad news is sexier than good news. Don’t get dismayed if your story doesn’t make the

cut. It’s difficult to compete with all the bad news that’s going on out there.      Slow news days are good news days. Speak with a reporter about your organization and

the services you provide. Invite them for a tour. Ask them to keep your organization in mind when they have a slow news day and need something to report.

     Make news happen. Pitch a story to a reporter, i.e. human interest (former steelworker

becomes a nurse), healthcare (how health insurance impacts a customer’s job decision), foreign trade (jobs that have gone overseas in the past five years), or immigration (ongoing, unfilled job openings). Be sure to fully think through your idea – including any potential downsides – before you offer story suggestion.

CONCLUSION

 To be truly effective, advocacy efforts must include:   Broad base of support   Working relationships built over time   Mutual trust   Ongoing communication   Relevancy for your audience

Sharon Parry 402 Golden Bear Drive, Austin, TX 78738 (330) 284-2601 sharon@sharonparry.com www.realworkforce.com