Choosing the Right Government Relations Firm for Your Needs

Regardless of the nature of your company’s business or your non-profit organization’s mission, engaging a government relations firm has many benefits. But, this assumes that you choose a firm capable of effectively advocating for your company or organization. Not all government relations firms are alike—and if you choose one that isn’t up to the task, you will be wasting money as opportunities pass you by.

So, how do you choose the right government relations firm for your needs?

5 Key Considerations When Choosing a Government Relations Firm

There are several factors you will want to consider. Ultimately, no single factor should be determinative, and instead, you should make your decision based on a comprehensive understanding of your chosen firm’s capabilities and reach. With this in mind, here are some of the key considerations that should guide your decision-making:

1. The Firm’s In-House Team

The government relations firm you choose should have an in-house team with decades of experience and proven results. Its Principals should be well-versed in all aspects of lobbying, advocacy, and campaign execution, and they should be prepared to work closely with you to achieve your company or organization’s goals on an ongoing basis.

2. The Firm’s Nationwide Capabilities

The government relations firm you choose should also have nationwide capabilities. Increasingly, state and local advocacy campaigns require a multi-state (if not 50-state) approach. If your government relations firm lacks the resources and lobbying network needed to provide advocacy across the country, it won’t be as effective as it could be.

3. The Firm’s Government Relations Services

An effective approach to government relations management needs to be multi-faceted. While advocacy and lobbying are two important pieces of the puzzle, they are ultimately just two of many. To effectively meet your company or organization’s needs on an ongoing basis, your government relations firm should provide issue monitoring and reporting, grassroots campaign development and execution, campaign strategy and consulting, and other services as well.

4. The Firm’s Ability to Understand Your Needs and Vision for the Future

When it comes to government relations, a custom-tailored approach is critical. What is effective and sufficient for one company or organization won’t necessarily work for another. As a result, your company or organization’s government relations firm must clearly understand your needs and vision for the future.

5. The Firm’s Ability to Achieve Tangible Results  

Above all, you need to be confident in your government relations firm’s ability to achieve tangible results. An effective government relations firm will be able to guide you forward with a clear and informed strategy, and it will be able to execute this strategy to help guide your company or non-profit organization toward its long-term goals.

Contact Us for a Confidential Initial Consultation

At 50 to 1, we provide government relations consulting services to companies and non-profit organizations nationwide. We have decades of high-level experience, and our 50-state lobbying network serves as an invaluable asset to our clients. To learn more, request a confidential initial consultation online today.