Advocacy 101: The Power Formula

Advocacy can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting out but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re fighting for maternal health, paid leave, or patient safety, every effective advocate masters one simple formula:

The Issue. The Why. The Ask.

Advocacy isn’t just about raising awareness it’s about creating real, lasting change. Policy drives funding, resources, and protections that directly impact families and communities. Without advocating for policy, stories remain unheard, statistics remain stagnant, and lives remain at risk. When we push for better laws, we don’t just start conversations we create solutions.

This is your foundation. It’s how you get legislators to listen, inspire communities to mobilize, and turn data into policies that save lives.


1. Know the Issue — But Make It Personal

Start with the facts. You need to understand the problem inside and out, whether it’s maternal mortality rates, gaps in postpartum care, or lack of paid leave. But here’s the truth most people overlook:

Numbers alone won’t move policymakers. Stories do.

I’ve worked behind the scenes with state legislators, and I can tell you firsthand,  a well-told story paired with the right facts is what gets bills passed. Statistics matter, but it’s the human impact that drives decisions.


2. Understand the Why — Paint the Bigger Picture

Legislators, organizations, and communities need to understand why this matters. Why does this issue affect families, economies, and future generations?

If we’re talking about maternal health, you can’t just say:

“Over 80% of maternal deaths are preventable.”

You have to connect it to a human story. For example:

“When a mother dies, an entire community feels it. Families lose stability, children lose guidance, and future generations are impacted. If we know 80% of deaths are preventable, why are we not acting?”

The goal is to make the data impossible to ignore.

3. Define the Ask — Be Specific

Here’s where most new advocates go wrong: they inspire people but don’t tell them what to do next.

Your ask should be clear, simple, and actionable:

  • “Support House Bill ___ to expand postpartum care.”
  • “Sign this petition calling for paid family leave.”
  • “Share your story with lawmakers to show why this matters.”

Without a specific ask, even the most powerful stories lose momentum.

Pro Tip: Use Stories + Stats Together

When you advocate, always combine facts + faces:

  • Know the statistic.
  • Connect it to a story: yours or someone else’s that inspires change.
  • Lead into the policy solution.

This formula is what lawmakers remember long after the meeting ends.

Want to Go Deeper?

This blog scratches the surface. If you’re ready to:

  • Build confidence speaking to legislators
  • Break down, understand, and use statistics, numbers, and data to paint a compelling picture
  • Learn how to craft a powerful issue → why → ask strategy
  • Use storytelling to create real policy change

…I’m creating step-by-step Advocacy Courses and Trainings that will guide you through the exact strategies I’ve used working with state legislators, health organizations, and advocacy coalitions.

Be the first to know when it launches: [Join the Waitlist →] https://tr.ee/advocacyinsider

 

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