10/30/2003
As one of NFIB's 600,000 members, your voice is already being heard every day by legislators in the state capitals and in Washington, D.C. To make your voice even louder, get involved by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
"Small businesses not only drive the nation's economy, but also are the backbone of their communities," says Steve Woods, NFIB's vice president of state public policy. "Their opinions are respected, so it is important for small businesses to educate their communities about legislative issues that affect them."
Though one letter on an issue may make a difference in your community, a series of letters commands even broader attention. When NFIB members throughout a state join together to get the message out on a legislative issue, the media notices.
Hundreds of copies of the same letter from different people, though, are not likely to get printed in a newspaper. Instead, letters should be personalized and explain specifically how a certain issue has affected the writer's small business.
The following tips are helpful in drafting a compelling letter:
To get started, read the hot issues on the Kentucky agenda for information, or click the "Issues" tab above to learn more about national issues affecting small business. You can formulate a sound letter based on the facts, and best of all, your real-world experience running a small business.
Use NFIB.com's Contact the Media tool to find contact information for your local newspapers, television and radio stations.
