Step 8: Executing Your Advocacy Plan
Now that you've delivered your plan and hopefully had it accepted; you need to keep working to make sure your vision comes to fruition. Here are a few tips to see your project through to the end:- Set intermediate benchmarks for success
- Focus on achieving a series of short-term wins on the way to a long-term victory.
- Remain focused and vigilant, and upbeat and positive.
- Make priorities clear to all.
- Be prepared to answer questions about opposing views in a positive fashion.
- Be polite at all times.
- Stay in consistent communication with:
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a) all coalition partners and volunteers
b) local decision-makers
c) the media
Tip: Don't underestimate the power of the media to aid your project. Having a story on the local news or in the local newspaper about your project will help keep pressure on the decision-makers to make sure your project is completed. Blogs and websites can also be effective ways of keeping the public notified of the project's progress.