• Introduce yourself.
  • Name, organization you are representing (if applicable), issue you are working
  • Ask how they are!
  • Do your homework. Ask about family, other job, etc.
  • Actually be interested in their response.
  • Get to the issue
  • Quickly summarize what you want to talk about
  • Lay out a few reasons why you care/it matters
  • Make the ask — be as specific as possible.
    Follow up with a different ask if needed.
  • Listen!
  • Simple test: they should talk more than you do.
  • Look out for hedge words; honestly assess support
  • Take notes after: any names they dropped or hints from the meeting
  • Always note information you said you would get back to them on (and do get them the information!)
  • Grade their support 1 (champion), 2 (yes vote), 3 (swing vote), 4 (no vote) 5 (will work to kill your bill).
  • Always err on the side of caution — unless you hear "yes!" they are a 3 or 4.