Speak Up Project

Speak Up Project is all about making a point that goes past your ideas. If your voice is unheard then your point is moot. IF you wait for things to happen, you’ll always be disappointed. You have to take control of your ideas and get them across in an effective manner.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best ways to make a point stick. Whether you have opinions about Internet governance or lobbying for your own personal rights, these tactics will give you a foundation for success in debate.

1. Do your research - If you’re going to argue, you have got to know your stuff. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way in social or political debates. The truth is often those who lack the necessary knowledge often regress to personal attacks and irrational thinking. Once you’ve proved a point and brought someone to this point, you’ve taken the upper hand. Debating isn’t to attack or debase a person, it’s to show that your argument holds weight.

2. Know who to talk to - So many points go unheard, and for a good reason. Often times those who have a point to argue with an organization fail to demand the right attention. Although this process is lengthy at times, it’s truly worth it. What worse is that subordinates often take an authoritative role and make decisions on behalf of their organization with those who want to confront them. These people are frequently not qualified to understand, and unwilling to listen to protect their superiors. Organizational leaders can tend to be very open minded.

3. Have a purpose in mind, and stick to it - Your opinions are not enough. Once you make your point clear, you have to know what you want from it. Are you asking for something? Do you have an action in mind that you are looking to have executed? If you drive a point home, and don’t have anywhere to go from there, you lose your credibility.

4. Make it a team effort - Large battles are seldom successfully fought alone. If you’re out to take an issue on, go at it with more than yourself. It’s also critical to have witnesses to your argument in case you really do make some headway.

5. Be calm - Don’t ever resort to offensive, harsh language. Don’t ever give in to the frustration. Keep a cool, calm demeanor. Speak to your party like you respect them. Strike that balance between being bold, and being respectable as well. It’s possible. If you’re not willing to budge, do so peacefully. You’ll always regret resorting to frustrated argument and personal attacks.

6. Don’t be obsessed with the last word - In conjunction with the previous point, be discretionary about how much you choose to say. Just get your information out with a concise and honest point. The most well articulated people are inevitably more convincing. Your intelligence and forthrightness will speak volumes and resonate. Getting the last word will only put the other party on the defensive.

7. Be positive - If you have a point to make, then it’s important to come off like you’re striving for a better cause. You want to convince the opposing party that you have the ideas that will support that better cause. If you want change, you have to make people see the positive side of change. Often times attacking people insults their work and effort. What’s most important is to open the minds of your opposing party.

8. Follow up - So what happens when you get heard and you make a case? What do you do then? Is the party you are lobbying for change just appeasing you with answers they know you want to hear? You have to follow up. Make sure they’re sticking to their word.

While we give you the information needed to make yourself heard, you are the only one who can actually do it. So come on and speak up!