Will your annual address to Congress be a success or failure?

First, Reputation is Important – The Ivory Coast and Tunisia were both recently dropped by their respective lobbying firms citing civil rights issues in the case of Tunisia and a failure to take a call from the President to mitigate a civil war in the case of the Ivory Coast. Quitting on a client may seem unusual for lobbyists, but it’s likely only to get more common and reflects a new reality in Washington that reputation is important. If you show up in Washington and you or your company have a bad reputation expect someone to know about it. If your industry has a bad reputation then attempt to address it with who you are meeting with. If something is so embarrassing then don’t come to Washington until you’ve cleaned it up or cleared it out.

Next, learn to Work Together – I can count at least ten municipalities that have begun soliciting for a federal lobbyist in the last few weeks. Most of these cities or counties will face scrutiny for going after an individual lobbyist – especially in the current budget climate – but also, when there are so many coalitions and trade groups which could accomplish what they are looking for without the big monthly retainer. There are times when an individual lobbying need is important and one should aggressively advocate, but if you have a shared need and your money is tight then value the role a large trade group or coalition offers.

Don’t Just “Show Up” In Washington – The NFL Players Union were in Washington recently lobbying on their stalled contract negotiations with the NFL owners. The Union had all the right arguments: after all, the owners had been spending time in Washington lobbying and they also had the right to lobby. But the players were immediately embarrassed by a key committee Chairman who was quoted saying “The owners and players are both literally and figuratively big boys and do not need Congress to referee every dispute for them.” This type of Congressional rebuke was a good public relations event for the players as it brings more attention to the issue than the owners likely would prefer, but the lobbying objectives remain unclear. One can’t just show up to Washington. What exactly did – and do – the players hope to accomplish? And are they closer to getting it? With the Chairman of a key committee publicly saying no the answer is obvious.

Know That Your Voice Means Something – You may have just read the Chamber of Commerce spent over $131 million lobbying last year.  Don’t panic. Your voice isn’t irrelevant.  Even without a lobbyist, you can get in the door. Remember, there are dozens of new elected officials this year swept into office vowing to work for their constituency. That’s you! They are waiting to hear from you.

Will you be there to speak with that voice and the same passion that convinced you it was important to book a ticket to Washington?  Don’t be intimidated; know your voice means something.

These and other lessons from this first Congressional month should be taken to heart before arriving in Washington. If so, you have the ability to walk away from a Washington mission not as a failure with a few pictures with politicians but as a successful advocate whose issue is relevant to the State of our Union.

Maury Litwack is a recognized lobbying expert, creator of the weekly Lobbying Letter and founder of the Washington advocacy education firm Capitol Plan.