When thinking about the WRA’s advocacy efforts, several key points come to mind. The primary goals of advocacy are ensuring good policies gain traction, get passed in the Wisconsin Legislature and are signed by the governor; and stopping bad policies early before they can gain momentum.

While these are crucial aspects of the WRA’s advocacy, they are not the only efforts made to ensure REALTOR^® priorities are legislative priorities for state Assembly and Senate members. The WRA’s advocacy often extends beyond the state capitol into the homes, screens and phones of constituents represented by elected officials.

After receiving an endorsement through the WRA’s rigorous process, candidates receive support not only during the election cycle but throughout their time in office. When an elected official shows strong support for REALTOR^® priorities, the WRA advocates for them to their constituency. The WRA highlights substantial legislative wins by elected officials in various ways to ensure these allies receive proper credit for making REALTOR^® legislative priorities a reality.

These outreach programs help the public understand that the WRA and its members are looking out for their best interests. They also inform elected officials that the association is helping them connect directly with their community on issues that matter and impact daily lives. The WRA runs these programs in several ways, aiming to have constituents understand the issues and reach out to thank their elected officials for their support.

Direct mail

The WRA targets an elected official’s constituency, showcasing a specific issue through a targeted mail program. The goal is to highlight the importance of the issue, its impact on the community, and encourage constituents to contact the elected official to thank them for their support. This method works best with a short message that can be easily read and understood.

Door-knocking campaigns

Dedicated campaign staff, trained as messengers on specific topics, carry literature to discuss with constituents at their homes. These staff members walk targeted neighborhoods within an elected official’s district to hand-deliver literature on a REALTOR^® priority. This opens a dialogue and encourages constituents to thank the elected official for their support, creating a lasting connection to the issue and the official. This tactic is considered one of the most effective ways to communicate directly with constituents.

Digital, texting and live calling campaign

These programs, the most effective in terms of volume, use targeting efforts similar to mail programs but with greater reach. The WRA targets constituencies based on interest, demographics and location, pairing this information with legislative districts of supportive elected officials. This allows the WRA to target ads on social media networks to specific individuals, who are then re-targeted with ads on heavily trafficked websites. This encourages them to contact and thank their elected officials for supporting REALTOR^® priorities. Similar targeting techniques are used in texting and live call programs, guiding individuals to websites with calls to action or providing information on contacting supportive officials.

Video and radio programs

Traditional media methods, such as radio and video programs, help the WRA connect communities with the positive policy impacts achieved with elected officials. These programs allow the WRA’s message to reach a wide audience in a concentrated area over a specific timeline, effectively delivering a timely message to a large audience and making a significant impact. These programs are particularly effective in short bursts, creating a big splash with elected officials.

The WRA continually seeks ways to improve interactions with the community and promote the positive outcomes of its advocacy efforts. The methods mentioned in this article not only achieve this goal but also highlight the efforts of legislative partners who support REALTOR^® priorities every day.