If you ask most people their opinion on a particular subject, they will usually give you an honest and often opinionated answer. However, they might never let their opinions be known to anyone that might be able to make a difference. There are some that feel they need to let others know how they feel because they are passionate about the subject. Although they might want to start changing people’s ideas, or even change the law, they don’t always know how to go about doing it. Here are some of the ways you can start to make a difference in people’s lives.
Be Clear in Your Opinion
If you believe strongly about something, then you need to be clear about the message you are trying to convey. It is important to read as much as you can on the subject, so you have an informed opinion and know all the different points of view. You might be swayed by some piece of research or study that means your opinion changes. If you can gather all of this evidence now, you won’t be sidetracked by others views later on.
Start Your Own Blog
For anyone that has something to say, one of the best ways to get their message out is to write a blog. There are now thousands of blogs out there, covering many topics, so anyone can start their own. It also doesn’t need any initial investment to begin, because you can set up your blog on one of the free blogging platforms. Once you have your blog and your topic, you need to get it in front of those people that will be interested in it. For example, if you are writing about reducing the plastic people use, then you want to place your blog in front of those groups and charities that have an active interest in it. If you can show that you have a strong opinion, then you will start to attract visitors to your blog and grow your audience. The important thing to remember is that you need to be consistent with your posts. If you post erratically, your followers won’t be able to keep up with you.
Do a Podcast
In a similar way to blogging, podcasts are a great way of getting your voice and your views out to other people. Although blogging and podcasts can go hand in hand, there are advantages to podcasts. For example, if you aren’t good with writing, or you don’t have the time to sit down and write a post, then a podcast could be your outlet. Initially, you can start a podcast using your mobile phone by recording your voice and uploading it. It means you can theoretically record the podcast anywhere whether it’s on a train or waiting for a cab. It also means the listener can hear the passion and belief in your voice as you speak, which can be difficult to get across in word form sometimes. Podcasts are often held on a general podcast site that is separated into categories; this means you can get in front of more people than if you had it on your website. As you get better and as your podcast gets more interest, you can start investing in better equipment and learn how to monetize a podcast. It can become expansive, so you might want to consider using a company like Cashnet USA to help with funding.
Get Involved
For many important topics like healthcare or conservation, there are often groups and charities that have been set up to raise money and spread the word. These organizations are usually looking for people to help volunteer their time or talents to help them in their tasks. Depending on how much time you have and what you feel able to do, you can help to raise money, give talks, help with events or do behind the scenes work. Many charities rely on volunteers, so your contribution could be vital. There are also other ways to get involved, such as signing petitions or speaking to those that have influence.
Join in Discussions
With some topics, there is already going to be a lot of discussion on the internet and in newspapers or magazines. It can be easy to get involved in these discussions if you know what to do. For example, if you have read an article in a magazine that you think you want to talk about, then try sending an email or a letter to the magazine editors. Some magazines have a letters section where they publish replies to their stories, or they might ask you to write an article to highlight your opinion on the topic. Another way you can get involved in the discussion is to comment on social media posts. As with other forms of media, some news channels or magazines will link to their stories on social media. You can then join in the discussion by replying to their posts.
Write to Your Local Representative
Many people who feel strongly about something will seek to contact their local representative. It can be especially effective for those problems that affect your local area or have a connection to your town. It is important that you do your research and find the right person to contact. You want someone that has similar views to you on the subject and has the opportunity to campaign to help create change. You might not be the only person that has contacted them about this issue, so it could be the catalyst they need to take action. That is why it can help if you have a charity or group behind you that can give support to your letter.
There are many people out there that want to make a difference to the world, but some of them don’t have the drive or the confidence to do anything about it. If you feel that you that strongly about an issue, there are now many ways that you can get your message out there.