What are the principles of effective lobbying?

What will be an ideal response?

The following are principles of effective lobbying:
• Know the institutional arenas in which the issue is addressed (e.g., Congress works through committees).
• Look for alignments of interests and explore opportunities to build coalitions.
• Time lobbying to the stages of the institutional decision-making process. (Lobby committee members, then pivotal floor members in advance of a floor vote.)
• Target key officeholders.
• Know the officeholder's interests and goals and frame messages accordingly.
• Respect the officeholder and staff; in most cases they are intelligent and savvy.
• Educate but don't just talk. Listen to the officeholder and staff for information about their interests and concerns and for strategic advice about process, the preferences of other officeholders, and so on.
• Make straightforward presentations. Members of Congress are busy, understand politics well, and can see beyond window dressing. (Managers and professional lobbyists often leave a detailed written statement with members or their staff.)
• Explore compromises or concessions that might help resolve officeholders' concerns.
• Give credit to the officeholder.
• Establish access and maintain continuing relationships for the future (e.g., meet with committee staff even if there is no pending issue). Don't wait until there is a crisis.