Research elected officials to find the best route

After identifying the elected officials who can help you, carefully research them to find what "makes them tick."

Some questions to answer:

• Does the official have a record of supporting your cause?
• Does he/she have a family?
• What's his/her profession?
• What are key votes and stances he/she has taken?

A simple Google search can give you a lot of information, but don't forget to check local newspapers' online archives along with campaign and government websites.

Project VoteSmart is a is a non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes a plethora of information on candidates for federal and state offices. It is perhaps the most comprehensive source of information on elected officials, providing background information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances, interest group ratings, and speeches and public statements.

Use that information to tailor a pitch to the official. Here's an example:

Together Home is a non-profit that depends on state funding to keep homeless families together. Through research, their executive director found out that Republican Rep. Johnny Taylor, their local legislator, is an attorney and has three kids.

The ED of Together Home can use this information to her advantage by:

• Asking any attorneys or Republicans connected to the organization to serve as surrogates with Rep. Taylor. Common ground can give surrogates a great leverage point.

• Analyzing Rep. Taylor's campaign finance reports to find intersection with Together Home's donor list. He is more likely to pay attention to an organization that's supported by his donors.

• Focusing on family for pitches. With three kids, family seems to be important to Rep. Taylor. Together House should focus on its work in keeping families together during tough times.