Social media platforms like X, Facebook, and LinkedIn are a modern tool for engaging with policymakers. If you’re in the social space and want to weigh in on an issue, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Identify yourself as a constituent.
Add your location (city and state) to your profile. Follow your legislators.
On Facebook? Badge it!
Facebook features constituent badges that show up when you post about or comment on the posts of your government representatives. To get your “badge,” follow a few simple steps: 1) search “Town Hall” in Facebook, 2) Select “Town Hall: Look up your government representatives,” 3) Enter your home address, 4) Select the “On” option in the Constituent Badge drop down menu. Voila!
Personalize your message.
Identify the issue. Explain why it matters to your community.
Be constructive.
Avoid negativity in policymaker interactions. Give thanks where thanks is due.
Part of a group or coalition? Say So.
Multiple messages from constituents affiliated with a specific group or cause are more likely to influence legislators.
Now that you're an expert on social media advocacy, it's time to take action! We've made it pretty easy by pre-populating a message about rail that you can customize for your community. Follow the directions to tag your members of Congress directly.
