Small Business Advocacy Toolkit /
Share information with your community
Overview
Connect with your elected officials and your local community to make your voice heard! Share your opinions through opinion articles, letters to the editor, or social media posts. Need assistance or have questions? Contact us at info@connectedcouncil.org.
Write an Opinion Article or Op-Ed
Share your perspective and priorities by submitting an op-ed to your local paper to reach elected officials who value their constituents’ views.
Have you ever read an article in your local paper or online that shares someone’s opinion about a political or social issue?
That’s called an opinion article or an op-ed, and guess what? You can write one too! As a small business leader, you have valuable insights into your business and a unique perspective on various issues.
Why do Op-Eds matter?
Elected officials and key stakeholders from local government all the way up to the U.S. Congress read their local newspapers regularly, particularly the opinion section, to better understand their constituents’ views. By submitting an op-ed to your local paper, you can share your perspective with policymakers. As a leader in the small business community, your voice matters, and it’s imperative for policymakers to hear it.
Unleashing your potential as a writer:
You don’t need to be an expert or a professional writer to author an opinion piece. The team at the Connected Commerce Council is here to help you if you have any questions or problems writing a piece or submitting it to your local paper. We’ve outlined a few guidelines below to help you draft your op-ed, find the right contact at your local newspaper, and effectively pitch your op-ed.
Op-Ed Guidelines:
- Identify your target newspaper:
Start by selecting the newspaper that you want to submit your op-ed. Your local newspaper is the best place to start reaching your local community. - Find the submission guidelines for the “Opinion” section:
Locate your newspaper’s “Opinion” section and look for the publication’s submission guidelines. Every publication is different, but these guidelines should include the following:- A suggested word count (if not specified, limit it to around 600 words)
- The submission method (email, web form, etc.)
- The contact information for the opinion editor
- Some newspapers may ask for a headshot to accompany your op-ed.
- Drafting your op-ed:
This is your chance to tell your story, how digital tools have helped you run and grow your business, and why you are concerned that new laws or regulations may hurt your business. When crafting your op-ed, keep the following tips in mind:- Share your story: Use this opportunity to tell your story and help others understand how digital tools and technology have helped you run and grow your business. Discuss why you have concerns about potential new laws or regulations that may hinder the success of your business.
- Be specific: Provide examples highlighting the potential negative impact of certain legislation or regulations.
- Clarity is key: Communicate your points effectively, ensuring your arguments are logical and easy to follow. Support your claims with personal anecdotes or relevant data to strengthen your case.
- Review for accuracy: Before submitting your piece, carefully proofread your op-ed to avoid any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Small mistakes can undermine the credibility of your piece, so take the time to review it thoroughly.
- Include your information:
At the end of your op-ed article, be sure to include the following details:- Your name
- Your city
- The name of your business
- Submitting your op-ed:
- If submitting your op-ed by email, follow these simple steps:
- Paste the op-ed into the body of the email.
- Write a brief note summarizing your op-ed and explaining its importance.
- If required, attach your headshot or any other additional information.
- Follow-up:
If you don’t hear back in a few days, please send a follow-up email or call the opinion editor if you can find a contact number.
It’s all very easy and lots of fun! Contact us at info@connectedcouncil.org today, and we’ll help you craft an op-ed you’re proud of!
Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE)
- Identify your target newspaper:
Start by selecting the newspaper that you want to submit your LTE. Your local newspaper is the best place to start reaching your local community. - Find the submission guidelines for the “Opinion” section:
Locate your newspaper’s “Opinion” section and look for the publication’s submission guidelines. Every publication is different, but these guidelines should include the following:- A suggested word count (if not specified, limit it to around 150-200 words)
- The submission method (email, web form, etc.)
- The contact information for the opinion editor
- Drafting your LTE:
- When crafting your LTE, keep the following tips in mind:
- Be concise, as 200 words is a very short letter. Unlike an op-ed, there isn’t enough space to tell your story. Hit on the highlights about what your concern is and why.
- Include your information:
At the end of your LTE, be sure to include the following details:- Your name
- Your city
- The name of your business
- Submitting your LTE:
If submitting your LTE by email, follow these simple steps:- Paste the LTE into the body of the email.
- Write a brief note summarizing your LTE and explaining its importance.
- If required, include any other additional information.
- Follow-up:
If you don’t hear back in a few days, please send a follow-up email or call the opinion editor if you can find a contact number.
It’s all very easy and lots of fun!
Contact us at info@connectedcouncil.org and we’ll help you craft an LTE you’re proud of!
Here are sample LTEs on priority issues for small businesses. These are examples, so you should take the time to personalize the LTE. Of course, 3C is here to answer any questions or review your LTE before submitting.
Digital Tools
I am a small business owner who uses many free and low-cost digital tools from America’s leading technology companies to find customers, grow my company, and earn a living.
I’m concerned that some lawmakers are trying to pass new laws that would change how these digitals work, making them more expensive and harder to use. Digital tools like online ads, marketplaces, back office software, and social media save us time and money and help us compete with larger brands. If these tools were harder to use, more expensive, or less effective, we might not be as successful or even in business.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Elected officials must consider how new laws could hurt small businesses before regulating America’s leading technology companies.
Content Moderation:
I own a [business type], and we depend on loyal and new customers to keep our small business churning. Online reviews and social media are some of the most helpful ways new customers find us. Social media allows us to reach people easily and affordably, and online reviews give us credibility that makes people comfortable trying us for the first time.
But I am worried about attempts to change the laws that make these and countless other online services possible. Online reviews and social media are possible because the websites aren’t responsible for the content individuals post. If they were, the internet would look different, and I wouldn’t have these valuable marketing tools.
Elected officials want to police the internet, but they don’t stop and think about the enormous implications overhauling the laws that made it possible will have on small businesses.
Privacy
I’m a small business owner, and in today’s digitally-driven economy, I have customers nationwide. I care deeply about data privacy, but as more and more states pass their versions of privacy laws, I am worried that I won’t be able to keep up.
Small businesses need one national privacy law. Tracking and contending with 50 different privacy laws would be expensive, and I would hate to unknowingly violate a state’s law.
Also, new laws must balance people’s privacy with the importance of data in the digital economy. If new privacy laws overregulate data, digital ads will become unaffordable for small businesses, and large chains and corporations will hold even bigger advertising advantages over smaller companies than they already have. Policymakers must pass a national data privacy law that protects consumer data while considering the value data provides to small business advertisers like me.
Post on social media
Social media is a great tool to engage with policymakers. Their offices monitor platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to gauge the conversation on issues affecting their constituents and track mentions of their names.
To ensure your elected officials notice your post, check out a few sample social media posts you can use as a guide. If you want your elected officials to see your post, look up who represents you and their social media handles, and be sure to tag them in the post! Also, to amplify the impact of your advocacy efforts, be sure to use #AllAboutAdvocacy in all of your posts.
Sample Posts
If you meet with a Member of Congress:
I am excited to have met with my representative, thanks to @ConnectedCouncil, to advocate for policies that support small business growth and innovation. Thank you [@lawmaker] for meeting with me today. #SummerofSmallBizAdvocacy #AllAboutAdvocacy
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This summer, I’m #AllAboutAdvocacy! I can’t wait to meet with [@lawmaker] in the next few weeks to advocate for policies that support small business growth and innovation. #SummerofSmallBizAdvocacy
I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with [@lawmaker] to discuss the need for policies that support small business growth and innovation. #SummerofSmallBizAdvocacy #AllAboutAdvocacy
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If you want to post about the value of digital tools to your business and concerns about new laws making them harder to use and more expensive:
Digital tools are an invaluable part of running and growing my small business.[@lawmaker], don’t break what’s working for me and millions of other small businesses! #SummerofSmallBizAdvocacy #AllAboutAdvocacy
Digital tools such as online advertising, marketing, back office software and so much more help me run and grow my business. [@lawmaker] Don’t pass new laws that make digital tools harder and more expensive for small businesses to use. #SummerofSmallBizAdvocacy #AllAboutAdvocacy
99% of businesses in this country are small businesses – including mine. [@lawmaker], make it easier, not harder, for small businesses to access and use digital tools! #SmallBizBigImpact #AllAboutAdvocacy
[@lawmaker], I urge you to continue supporting policies that promote innovation and competition in the digital economy. These policies will help small businesses like mine thrive and create jobs for our communities! #SmallBusinessVoices #AllAboutAdvocacy
<Congress or [@lawmaker]> as a small business, these are really important to me:
- Oppose any legislation that would make digital tools harder and more expensive for small businesses.
- Support policies that make it easier for small businesses to access digital tools and services.
- Engage with small businesses like mine regarding public policy issues that impact our bottom line.
#AllAboutAdvocacy
Additional Hashtags
#SummerofSmallBizAdvocacy, #SmallBizBigImpact, #SmallBusinessVoices #SummerofAdvocacy, #SmallBusiness, #SupportSmallBusiness, #SmallBusinessAdvocacy, #AugustRecess
Can you take the next step and get in touch with your lawmakers?
Need more help?
Contact 3C for additional support