So, You Can’t Afford a Contract Lobbyist? It's Not the End of the World.

In the world of public policy, a good lobbyist can be an invaluable asset. I've had the privilege of working with amazing lobbyists who have used their expertise, relationships, and knowledge to help secure major wins. These professionals bring immense value to any organization seeking to influence policy. If you have a good lobbyist, keep them—they’re a critical part of the team.

However, if you're a startup, small business, or smaller mission-driven organization, you're likely bootstrapping it without the budget to hire a contract lobbyist. Or, perhaps you had a great lobbyist and then the company encounters financial challenges, causing you to end the contract. I’ve been in that position myself, tasked with covering 18 states for a company that couldn’t afford lobbyists in all but one state.

While not having a contract lobbyist limited my impact, I still had one. The same is true for your startup or small enterprise. You don’t always need a contract lobbyist to drive change. Instead, you can lean into the scrappiness typical of all good startups and small businesses and become more resourceful, creative, and strategic with what you have.

In my case, I reached out to regulators and legislators who shared our concerns, and even lobbyists I knew. I discovered that some of the most effective advocates for our policy goals were aligned legislators willing to use their political capital to support shared objectives. These legislators used their staff, networks, and positions on key committees to advance our shared priorities, especially when we were constituents.

This experience demonstrates that, while a contract lobbyist is a huge asset, and if given the choice, I’d prefer to have one, companies can make meaningful progress without them.

If you're facing budget constraints but still want to make an impact, take my Policy Vulnerability Survey. It will help you identify areas where your business may be at risk and show you how to focus your efforts for maximum impact—even without a contract lobbyist.