I spent lots of time in college writing letters for Amnesty International and over the last 6 months or so I have been pestering writing to my members of congress about lots of other issues that matter to me. I thought today on this SOPA Blackout Day I should share my tips for writing to your government official.
Here’s how I approach it:
1. Know who to write to.
If you don’t know who your Senators and Representatives are, you can look up them up on the Senate Directory and House of Representatives site. These sites are also great places for finding your representatives’ contact info.
2. Be polite.
On the other end of that email is a real person and you won’t do your cause any good by insulting them. You might not be able to change their mind, but make your best case, be funny, give it the ol’ college try. Insults aren’t going to get you any bonus points.
3. Be personal.
Tell your story and how a bill or policy will affect you and your family. For the anti-SOPA letters I’ve been writing I talk about how my husband is a freelance webdesigner and depends on communities and sites such as WordPress that would be shut down if this bill became law. I talk about Etsy, something near and dear to my heart, and the impact that the bill will have on the handmade community.
4. Do your research.
Does your representative support your issue? Why not send them a thank you note for representing you?
Are you unhappy with their choice to support something you’re against? (I’m looking at you Sen. Durbin!) urge them to change their position.
5. Don’t wimp out!
Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion to the people you’ve elected. (If you aren’t registered to vote go here.) Don’t be defeated. Don’t think that you are just one voice. If everyone stayed silent nothing would change.
