Presented by Kirk “Hardtail” Willard – President of the MRF

Positive Political Relations – a definition – “…the business of fostering goodwill

toward a person, firm, or institution; also the degree of goodwill and understanding

achieved.”

Be educated, prepared, and in control –

Be educated and knowledgeable of the issue that you wish to present. If you know

your issue, you will not stumble and mumble before the person that needs to receive

your input on the that issue.

Be prepared to speak plainly, practice your presentation. This will prevent the “o shit, I should have said…”.

Be in control of yourself. There is nothing worse than stumbling, bumbling or losing

control of yourself or your temper before those to whom you are presenting your

issue or argument.

Learn their game well and use it to our advantage –

Try to NOT use stats in your presentation. We all know that stats lie, and liars use

stats. A well presented argument will trump stats. But, if you must, make sure your

stats are accurate and presented truthfully.

Listen to the persons and/or groups that that you need on your side and adapt to their

needs and interests to draw them to your side of the issue. This is especially important

with anyone who VOTES.

If you are asked a question about your issue to which you do not know the answer,

say “I do not know.”, and commit to finding the answer. Then, make absolutely sure

that you make a very timely follow up with the answer.

“it’s my right” statement –

This statement is a definite “no,no”. It is your right to go to hell. It is your right to “do

do not pass go, do not collect $200.” But the person to whom you are presenting your

issue, may not really give a “rats ass” about your right, as they are interested in their

own rights. The way in which the present politicians and government in power are

stomping on, abusing, and cancelling individual rights these days, this statement is

useless.

Avoid controversial arguments –

Try to avoid any argument that is not specific to your issue. These only serve to

detract from the main issue that you have come to discuss. They do not benefit you in

any way. Stick to motorcycle issues.

Have more than a single focus and more than one position or statement. If your main

issue is being ignored or rejected for the moment, move to a secondary issue or position,

don’t waste your time or chance.

Be clear with your statements –

Make sure that the other person or persons understand that you are expressing your

personal opinion or that you are expressing the position of your organization. If you are

speaking for your organization, make very sure that you are empowered to do so. Words

are like dust in the wind, once uttered, they cannot be recalled.

Be responsible in all ways –

Show respect to the person or persons to whom you are speaking by your choice of

attire and language. The use of the “F bomb” and other expletives will only gain you a

dead ear and a quick trip out of the door. That’s a lose-lose situation. Avoid T shirts with

four letter words and please leave your boozing vest at home. Every person doing PR

work should have 2 biker vests, a smoozing vest and a boozing vest. Don’t get caught

with the wrong one on in an important situation.

Be careful of your fun before your meeting and avoid excessive partying before your

presentation. No second party enjoys the smell of left over beer or liquor and it only

makes you look like a low life who impresses no one.

Avoid war/experience stories –

We all like a good war or experience story, but remember, the other person to whom

you are speaking may have no understanding of, nor be able to relate to your story. To

them it may also be somewhat intimidating. If they do not understand or can not relate

to what you are saying, they will turn off and you have lost you chance to get your point

across, and you have just lost your audience.

Does everyone know your issue? –

Never assume that other people know your issue. Always be prepared to discuss your

issue with anyone. Make sure that you know, understand and are able to discuss your

issue at all times.

Do not pre-qualify or classify anyone –

Many a chance to win over someone who has been negative on your issue or has been

pre-qualified as being the enemy, has been lost. A return visit may be all that is needed to win them over to your side. Persistence Rules!

Negative attitudes and moods –

Beware of your personal attitude and/or mood. This can effect your whole presentation.

Arms crossed, a less than smiley face can be the make or break to your whole attempt

to win someone to your point of view on an issue.

Respect the individual to whom you are speaking –

Always remember, that to receive respect, you must give respect. A no-no is playing the

tough guy or any type of threat toward an elected official. They don’t care how tough you

talk and you can’t threaten to unseat them. They have many more voters than you who

have put them in office. If your intention is to replace one office holder with another, take

it back home and work your tail off to accomplish that task.

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When your issue is not their issue –

Sometimes you must realize that their issue is not your issue. At that point you must walk

away and hope that later they may be more responsive. But please do not waste your opportunity.

Press coverage –

If you eave arranged or expect to have press and media coverage of your issue, make sure

that you have one or more designated spokespersons who are prepared to speak on your

issue, and please make sure that all attendees are aware of who those persons or person is,

in order to direct the media to them.

We all are aware that the media will zero in on the most unlikely person for the infamous

sound bite for the next news break. The media loves to focus on the dude with the “bikers

eat their young” or other obnoxious T shirt or who has already had 7 or more beers. That

perpetuates the “biker” stereotype that they love. Is that how you really want your issue

presented?

Remember –

When involved with public relations, this is the time that we bikers don’t want to appear

all that different from what the public perceives as “normal”.

You don’t get a chance to make a good first impression!

The 8 Deadly Sins in Public Relations –

Showing no personal interest.

Wasting their time, acting inconsiderate.

Meeting a prospect ill prepared or unorganized.

Making unkeepable promises or misrepresentations.

Behaving thoughtlessly, recklessly, or unpleasantly.

Putting the organization before potential benefits.

Investing too little effort in prospecting.