Many think that only politicians can make critical changes to the structure of modern society. However, regular people can generate change as well. Check out this list of three ways to be a political influence.
1. Use Social Media Platforms
Social media has provided many with a medium to amplify their voices. In this day and age, you can utilize photo-sharing platforms to post pictures about important events you attended, such as protests, marches, or debates. Some have used video-sharing platforms to create commentaries about political candidates, hot button topics, and ongoing economic or social crises. Note that you do not need specific credentials, such as a degree in political science, to talk about political issues online. You can speak from the perspective of a concerned and informed citizen, and you will likely build a substantial following. Many individuals flock to microblogging sites to express their viewpoints on certain issues. You can join such sites and use them to follow political leaders, organizations, or pundits, reposting what they say as well as your reaction to their statements. A multitude of everyday people have, by taking advantage of social media, become influential figures in the world of politics.
2. Join a Political Organization
There are a plethora of political organizations you can join. Some focus on solving problems in governance. For example, there is an organization called No Labels that wants to cultivate bipartisan leadership in government. Other groups have concerns related to things like social justice, climate change, universal basic income, and human rights. Once you become a member of a political organization, you will likely become part of its email list. You will receive daily or weekly emails about what the organization is working on, who or what they want you to support, when and where its meetings are, and how your donations are helping it grow or gain traction. Some organizations allow their members to take on extremely active roles. You can become a social media ambassador for an organization and post information about its mission and what it is doing to achieve it. Some groups even allow their members to host events and participate in conferences. By becoming a part of a political organization, you can champion the causes you are passionate about and collaborate with like-minded people.
3. Participate in Town Hall Meetings
Town halls provide you with the chance to speak one-on-one with your elected officials and gain recognition for your opinions on certain matters. You can track these meetings online on your legislator’s website. Once you have pinpointed the date for the next town hall meeting, prepare for it by conducting research on current issues and formulating impactful statements and questions. Try to show up early to the meeting. Doing so will allow you to meet with representatives, ask them questions, and offer suggestions. During the meeting, share a powerful story or ask an insightful question. If your words are memorable enough, you may end up on the local or national news. Note that if your representatives make promises or ensure that they will tackle an issue you brought up, check back in with them. Contact them via social media, email, or mail and remind them of the promises they made or actions they planned to take. For many ordinary citizens, town hall meetings allow them to influence the policy-related decisions of their elected officials.
You must be aware of the fact that being a political influence comes with a great deal of responsibility. You have to be very careful about what you do or say because your actions can accelerate or impede your political goals.
