Expect the meeting to be brief. If the legislator wants to keep talking, that's a bonus. Answer any questions accurately and briefly. If you don't know the answer, say so and offer to follow up. If you meet with a staff aide instead of the legislator, remember that educating the staff is very important, too.
Many legislators rely heavily on their staff's advice.
Follow up with a thank-you letter, answers to any of the legislator's questions that were not handled during the meeting or any other information you offered to gather for the legislator on the issue. When there is no time to write a letter, a phone call to your legislator's office can be effective in delivering a quick, simple message. When you place your call to a state or federal official, ask to speak to that person's legislative assistant who handles the issue you are interested in. If you get to speak to the state or federal Senator or Representative directly, that's a bonus. If you are calling a town, city or county official, they may or may not have an office staff, depending on the size of the locality.