Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted

“I just don’t know what to say. Can you write it out for me?”

No.

That should be the unequivocal, unwavering answer from any grassroots manager. No, we should never – under any circumstances – write out a script for our volunteers. Why?

Advocacy isn’t a performance art. In its purest form, advocacy is simply honest, open conversation. Having been across the table from so many interest groups, the most successful in the long run were those who didn’t over-prepare their advocates, opting instead to let their volunteers’ stories speak for themselves.

Let’s turn the mirror around for a bit. Think about Presidential debates. Which style appeals to you more as a listener: the traditional debate model or the town hall? I’d venture to say the lion’s share of us prefer the latter. Town hall formats add a touch of reality to the equation. Instead of talking points spewed in response to questions known in advance, candidates are expected to respond on the fly. They can prepare for the topics, even have a few good one-liners. But in the end, they have to respond to real people, in an environment of imperfect information.

While this may introduce a bit of drama so sorely missing from the traditional debate format, I think the fullness of its appeal is derived from the humanization of the participants. We see candidates at that level in such a manicured production on most days, that the unknown factors of a town hall present us a new, more realistic, perspective.

Just like the constituents they serve, staffers and elected officials are human. They crave genuine human interaction. They’ll see through your prepared talking points. They don’t want a debate, they want a town hall. So, I say, don’t put the barrier up in the first place. Whether you’re a first time advocate or a bit more seasoned, fight the temptation to rely too heavily on “talkers”.

Here’s what you need instead:

1. Realistic Practice Sessions – ask your advocacy team to set aside time for some good old-fashioned role playing. Build a scenario based on your issues, have someone play the role of staffer/elected official, and get comfortable with telling your story. And to experience the timing of your comments…

2. Build a Structure for Your Meeting – have a plan for who will talk when in a meeting. Understand how introductions will happen, who will transition to the issue, which participant will tell an impact story, and who will deliver the ask. A minimal structure will help your team develop a more conversational flow with each other and the target. And when the target asks questions…

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “I’m Not Sure.” – You’ve heard this from me too many times to count by now, but there is no expectation that you should be an expert on every aspect of a political issue. You only have to be an expert on your own life, and how the issue affects you. But when you get a technical question in response? Do what you’d do in any other social situation: let them know you want to help them find an answer and will work with them to do so. It’s as simple as saying “I’m not sure right now, but I’m going to dig into that and get back with you within the next week.”

Scripts are great on stage, not at the advocacy table. You don’t need that crutch. If you commit to these three tactics, embrace your own humanity and tell a story you’re going to leave a greater impact on your target.

It’s time to ditch the script. You can be too prepared, too manicured. Quit being afraid to show your humanity. It’s sorely missed in modern politics.