As insiders, we’re too “in the bubble” on public policy, leading us to often communicate on issues in a particular way—a way that doesn’t resonate with the public. This limits our ability to influence voter opinions.
We’ve seen it time and again. We’ll test communications used by policy shops, lobbying entities, and pro-business organizations—communications that have been professionally produced—only to find they’re marginally persuasive with the general public.
Issue and messaging surveys get past our assumptions and give us hard data proving exactly what messages resonate (and which ones don’t) so we can develop more effective and persuasive communications and outreach.
The beauty about these surveys is they can be conducted regularly to monitor public opinion as it changes, because it always does. The results can also be broken down by demographic to help target messages and outreach efforts.
Here are 4 examples where issue and messaging surveys changed how organizations approached their communications, for the better:
Survey to Pass/Defeat a Major Amendment
Survey was utilized to test which messages would move votes against Governor JB Pritzker’s progressive tax and even what the tax should be called in order to maximize opposition, which ultimately helped lead to the defeat of Pritzker’s progressive tax amendment.
Script, Results & Presentation
Survey to Determine a Legislative Agenda
Survey was utilized by a state policy organization to test several issues and determine which were most important and persuasive to voters. The results were then used to finalize their legislative agenda that year in the capitol.
Script & Results
Survey to Improve Messaging on a Key Issue
Survey was utilized on a specific policy issue to test different statements and ideas with voters. The organization has seen tremendous success, passing legislation in multiple states in just a few months with their optimized messaging.
Script & Results | Press | Op-Ed
Survey to Generate Positive PR
Survey was utilized on a timely issue to get public opinion so the group could use the data obtained to be a leading voice against the issue, inform their followers of how the public agrees with them, and activate their followers to speak out.
Script & Results | Press
Our team of data and messaging experts have a proven track record of helping organizations change the narrative. Reach out to us today and let’s work together to present your agenda in the most persuasive way possible.