By Brad Fitch, CEO, Knowlegis

The election is over. By now, you and your team are outlining your 2009 legislative strategies and identifying key figures to shape your agenda. Out of the new lineup of Members, which ones will you gain as champions for your cause?

Significant time and resources are required to reach these folks at this “young and impressionable” phase however a measurable return on investment makes all the heavy lifting well worth it.

1. Send Congratulatory Notes.
Feed into the post-election high by acknowledging their new role and introducing yourself and your organization in this informal approach. Every election cycle, Knowlegis customers gain immediate access to the winners circle and receive a mail merge-friendly spreadsheet via e-mail, complete with the Member-elect name and relevant contact information.

2. Communicate Via Phone – At First.
House members start their new job with few resources – some don’t even have a complete computer system on swearing in day. So, many e-mail, fax and letter campaigns to freshmen in the first few months are just going to turn into large piles of paper that never get read. The only way to reliably launch a campaign to freshmen is by phone, especially if they are timely. Members always pass by the front desk a few times a day, and she’ll notice if her new staff assistant is pulling his hair out. (Note: Capwiz·XC includes “Call Alerts” to quickly mobilize your supporters to action.)

3. Learn About Them – At Home and in Washington.
New Members will expound on their views early – at hearings, town hall meetings, floor speeches. Track this data down so that during your first meeting you can “wow” them with how much you are interested in their issues. Survey your own member-advocates to uncover any connections to the incoming freshman class. (Note: Knowlegis includes local news “Knowtify” e-mail alerts anytime a legislator you designate shows up in the news.)

4. Offer Help.
Freshmen and their staff are swamped, especially in the House. They need help from anyone. Offer to identify and organize local experts on your issue; send research and white papers on related issues; even suggest restaurant and travel advice.

5. Be Patient.
Remember, slow and steady wins the race. View your relationship building as a marathon, not a sprint. But be sure to start early before they have a full-fledged congressional gate-keeper system in place. If you get them on your side now, you could have a very valuable friend for life.

Brad Fitch (brad.fitch@knowlegis.net) is the CEO of Knowlegis. His upcoming book, The Citizen’s Handbook for Influencing Elected Officials is slated for a June 2009 release. Knowlegis has recently launched Countdown to 2009, an online resource featuring articles and white papers to arm government relations professionals with savvy advocacy strategies: www.knowlegis.net/countdown.html.