Using Data to Engage with Constituents

Agencies at every level of government have an abundance of data, but knowing how that data can help you understand and better serve the community is often a real challenge.

How can you craft data-driven narratives that connect with your intended audience, whether internal stakeholders or constituents, to help address community needs?

During the latest CX Community of Practice online training, Mallory Bateman, Director of Demographic Research, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, discussed how you can use data to better understand and engage with your constituents.

Below are a few quick takeaways – you can also watch the session in full on-demand below.

1. How can data help engage constituents and promote better public policy?
   • Bateman explained that the goal of data is to identify who your audience is. “It offers insights on who you need to reach and connect with in order to craft a strong engagement strategy.” She added that identifying your audience also helps agencies find gaps in services so you can direct your attention and policies into those spaces.
2. Why do agencies struggle with making the most of their data?
   • Bateman indicated that there could be multiple reasons, from a pre-existing attitude about data to the trickiness of parsing out the details you need from a mass quantity of data.
3. What advice do you have for agencies who want to use data for research and relationship building?
   • “Keep it simple,” Bateman emphasized. “You need to create materials that get to the meat of what you want people to get out of it.” She added that it’s fine to be meticulous in gathering your data, but you need to compile it in a way that is clear and easy to understand.
     

Don’t forget to join us for next month’s CX CoP session, How to Help Make Your Org More CX-Savvy, on Monday, April 14, from 4-4:30 p.m. ET/1-1:30 p.m. PT.