I like Lilly Allen’s music. There is a refreshing honesty to the lyrics of Fuck You. Much though I like the song, I would not adopt the sentiment of “Fuck you (fuck you).Fuck you very, very much” as a lobbying strategy.
But, I realize I am an exception, and the “Fuck you (fuck you), Fuck you very, very much” school of outreach seems to be en vogue at the moment.
NGOs and industry all seem to be getting into the mood and writing what amount to Lilly Allen’s words to the European Commission when the Commission don’t do what others would want them to do. If it works, please let me know.
Old School
Personally, I go for a more-old school approach.
I’d recommend that anyone who is in the business of persuasion read Robert B. Cialdini’s Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. It is a classic.
After reading that, you may opt for a different style.
I prefer some clearly novel approaches, such as:
- Does the writing pass the 7 pm on a Friday evening test – can what you wrote be understood in one read through by a non expert
- Civility
- Provide solutions to their problems – even if you disagree with the end game
- Provide feed in from genuine experts, and if you can show they are incorrect based on their own game rules even better
- If you disagree with their decisions, don’t take it out on the officials personally
I learned from many years working for them, that officials and politicians have long memories. There is no reason to be rude to them; if you are constructive and civil, they may one day come around to promoting your position.
I have no fear that my novel approach will catch on.