After a meeting, it is important to follow up with the person you met with.
Start by sending them a thank-you email within a few days of the meeting. If there was anything you needed to get back to them about (for example, an answer to a question you were not sure how to answer on the spot), include this information in your follow-up note.
If you are waiting for them to take a particular action, follow up with a brief but polite note after a few weeks, and then after another month if needed.
Sometimes, you may not get the results you wanted. For example:
- The government decision-maker declined your original request for meeting.
- The government decision-maker is no longer responding to you after the meeting, even after a couple of follow-up notes.
- The government decision-maker was not supportive or interested in your issue during the meeting.
If you find yourself in one of these situations, you can consider escalating your issue or changing your approach. Here are some ideas you can try:
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Talk to others to gather information: If there is anyone in your network who is knowledgeable about your issue or the decision-maker you approached, talk to them to get their feedback and advice.
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Evaluate your messaging and timing: Think about how you are framing your issue, and whether you have linked it to government priorities. Is there a way to re-frame what you are asking for? Also think about your timing: is the government focused on something else right now, such as a budget or upcoming election? Consider whether there will be a better window of opportunity in the future.
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Try another level of government: Depending on the issue, you might be able to approach another level of government. This especially applies for issues that touch multiple levels of government, such as housing or transportation.
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Try another decision-maker: Who else is tasked with your issue, besides the decision-maker you approached? Consider the many different roles in government, including your own elected representatives, Minister’s offices, Parliamentary Assistants or Secretaries, critics, and public service.
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Engage the opposition: If you are not gaining traction with government, it might make sense to try meeting with the opposition party. They might be able to create pressure for the government.
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Gather allies: There is strength in numbers. Get the support of multiple organizations or individuals to join your cause. For example, ask others to sign on to a joint letter, or start a petition collecting signatures.
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Use social media: Use social media to raise awareness about the issue you are facing. You can also express respectful disappointment online if a government or decision-maker has not taken action on your issue. But try stay away from using social media in this way unless you have tried every other option.
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Talk to the media: Speaking with the media is a last resort, to be used in emergency situations only. If your situation is urgent and you have no other options, getting your issue in the news can be a way to get the attention of a decision-maker.
