How you present your information is vital to efficiently grabbing attention of your audience
Cover Letter for authorities
- Be sure to use the proper form of address and correct spelling of the authority's name and function
- Remember to identify yourself as a constituent
- Identify yourself as a patient advocate/ public health professional, in the text of your letter
- Short letters are best (one page). Don't use jargon or confusing technical terms
- Concentrate on a single issue
- Include data and references supporting your request (make sure they are accurate)
- If your legislator/health authority helps you by supporting a public health issue, write and thank him/her. Communicate about it via Twitter, the media, etc.
- This will create further goodwill for future contacts
- Download a sample email here (Word)
- Download a sample letter here (Word)
PowerPoint presentation
- Use key messages
- Include only essential information
- Limit the number of words on each screen. Try not to use more than four bullet points per slide
- Put most important message up front
- Avoid jargon and overly complex illustrations/data tables, etc
Speaking in public
- Write notes in a large font (bullet points), not a full speech which you will be tempted to read out
- Know more about your material than you include in your speech
- Use humour, personal stories and conversational language
- Practice: rehearse out loud, emphasise key messages, find the right flow and speed, articulate (don't mumble). Breathe!
Information kit
- Your information kit (presented in a folder or USB key) should contain:
- Your business card
- A cover letter
- A brochure
- Your press release/PowerPoint presentation in a handout format
- Your mission and history
- Facts, figures and useful links
- Biographies of key spokespersons
Letters to the Editor
- Letters to the Editor should be short (around 150 words)
- Before writing a letter, check the publication's website to see if they recommend word counts or have useful guidelines
- Do your homework: have other letters been written on the topic? What else can you add with yours?
- Know your audience. Use simple language. Avoid jargon. Talk about yourself in connection to the issue
Download the complete Rare Cancers Europe Patient Advocacy Toolkit