SMK's top 10 campaigning tips

Shelia McKechnie Foundation’s (SMK) top 10 campaigning tips

As the people behind the Campaign Central website, it seems like a good idea to give you some of our own campaigning tips! We don’t think they’re better or worse than anyone else’s, but we hope they are useful anyway!

KNOW YOUR STUFF - Make sure you research your issue area thoroughly. Every argument must be supported by robust evidence if it is to be convincing.

BUILD A TEAM - A great campaigner is someone who can take people with them on their journey. Build a team of people who have the right mix of skills you will need to achieve your goal.

MAKE A PLAN - A campaigner should always know, and be able to articulate, precisely what they want their outcomes to be.

SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER- You will need a campaign target. Who directly has the power to make the change you are campaigning for?

MAP YOUR ISSUE - It is helpful to map the forces that will influence your campaign target e.g. who and what will be supportive or resistant to your objectives?

BUILD ALLIANCES - Check out whether other organisations are pursuing similar objectives. Making alliances can be an effective way to strengthen your message and broaden your reach.

USE THE RIGHT TACTICS FOR YOU - Think carefully whether your proposed tactics will help you achieve your objectives. Tactics that worked for one campaign might not be right for you - there is no one recipe for success.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING - Timing your tactics to coincide with activities taking place by either supportive or opposing forces can increase your impact or exposure. Always be aware of the environment in which you are operating.

SWOT - Analyse your Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats to help strengthen your objectives and mitigate potential problems.

EVALUATION - Setting clear targets at the beginning of your campaign will allow you to monitor your progress and assess whether you are making not just an impact but the right impact.