Here’s how communications teams can stay aligned and effective with their GA team:

1. Understand the Legislative Landscape
Before drafting content or preparing outreach materials, take time to understand the legislative priorities and political environment. Knowing what’s moving (and what’s not) ensures your messaging is timely, relevant and grounded in the current moment.

2. Keep Messaging Focused and Consistent
Every piece of outreach – whether it’s collateral, a social post or media pitch – should reinforce key messages aligned with policy goals. Avoid introducing new narratives that may conflict or confuse. Cohesive, consistent messaging helps build trust with lawmakers, stakeholders and the public.

3. Maintain Balanced Support
While communications and government affairs work closely, they have different tactics and responsibilities. Staying in sync doesn’t mean doing the same work – it means asking what’s helpful, sharing context early and trusting each team to lead in their lane.

4. Stay Flexible and In Sync
Legislative priorities can shift quickly. Set up regular meetings to touch base and ensure your strategies remain aligned. Flexibility, paired with consistent internal communication, allows you to respond quickly without sacrificing clarity or coordination.

Strategic communication doesn’t just echo government affairs – it enhances it. When both teams stay in sync, they strengthen each other’s work and help ensure the organization speaks with one clear, confident voice.

The post Supporting Government Affairs Through Strategic Communication appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

1. Be Informed: Track Committee Hearings and Be Ready to Testify
With bills moving quickly, staying informed on committee schedules is crucial. Check the Texas Legislature Online for daily postings and be prepared to testify on short notice. Have talking points ready for both supportive and opposing perspectives to address potential concerns from lawmakers. 

2. Stay Alert: Anticipate a Committee Substitute and Adjust Accordingly
Committees often introduce substitutes that modify bill language, sometimes significantly. Be sure to review changes quickly and determine how they impact your advocacy strategy. If a substitute alters your stance or messaging, be ready to reframe your testimony and communication efforts accordingly.

3. Build Your Network: Engage Key Stakeholders Early and Often
Keep in touch with committee members, legislative staff and relevant stakeholders throughout the process. Building relationships now ensures you can address concerns before they arise and gain the support needed to move your bill forward.

4. Prepare for the Next Steps: Amendments and Floor Debate
Once a bill passes committee, don’t let the momentum slow down. Anticipate potential amendments and be ready to provide guidance to lawmakers. Keep an eye on floor calendars, and mobilize supporters to contact their representatives at key moments.

The post Bill Filing Has Passed…What’s Next? appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

We’re officially in the second month of the 89th Texas Legislative Session! Senate committees are in full swing, and House committees will be up and running very soon. That means it’s go-time if you want to make your voice heard. Whether you’re stepping up to the mic or submitting written testimony, here’s how to make sure your message sticks.

Tracking bills and committee schedules is crucial. Use the Texas Legislature Online (TLO) website and sign up for committee notices so you never miss an important hearing. Research committee members to understand their perspectives and tailor your testimony accordingly.

Keep it short and impactful—aim for two to three minutes. Start strong by introducing yourself, stating your position and immediately hitting your key points. A compelling personal story can be more persuasive than a long list of statistics, but well-placed facts add credibility. Keep it professional, passionate and to the point.

Timing is everything. Arrive early to navigate Capitol security, parking and committee sign-ins. In the House, registration is electronic through Capitol kiosks or personal devices on Capitol Wi-Fi, while the Senate often uses paper sign-ins. Make sure you’re correctly listed as speaking for, against or providing information on the bill.

Start with your core message so it doesn’t get lost in unnecessary details. Make eye contact with committee members rather than reading directly from notes. Stick to your strongest points, expect potential follow-up questions and answer them concisely. Practicing beforehand will help smooth out nerves and ensure clarity.

If you can’t testify in person, submitting written testimony is still a powerful option. Keep it clear, well-structured and professional. Some committees accept emailed submissions, while others require printed copies—check the rules in advance. Always include your contact information in case lawmakers want to follow up.

Testifying at the Texas Capitol isn’t just for political insiders—it’s for anyone and everyone passionate about shaping policy. Preparation is key, so do your research, refine your message and arrive ready to make an impact. Whether speaking in person or submitting written testimony, your voice matters—so make it count! Remember, lawmakers hold testimony hearings because they want to hear from YOU. So show up, have confidence and be part of the change!

The post Legislative Testimony: Tips & Tricks appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

1. Craft Clear and Consistent Messaging: With various stakeholders involved in the legislative process, consistency is key. Ensure that all communication—whether it’s a press release, social media post or email—is aligned with your organization’s messaging. Avoid jargon and make your key points easy to understand for a variety of audiences, from lawmakers to the general public.
   
2. Engage in Proactive Media Outreach: During the Legislative Session, media coverage can shift quickly. Build relationships with key reporters and editors early on. Proactive outreach, including pitch emails, op-eds or letters to the editor, can help ensure your organization’s priorities are covered. Keep in mind that timing is everything—newsrooms stay busy during the Session, so make sure to be clear and concise in all media outreach.
   
3. Monitor Legislative Progress: Stay informed about bill progress, committee hearings and amendments in real time. Subscribe to legislative tracking services and consistently monitor the Texas Legislature’s website for updates. This will allow you and your team to act quickly if you need to mobilize your audience or shift your communications strategy.
   
4. Follow Along on Our #TxLege Tips Series: Throughout this fast-paced, high-pressure Session, be sure to keep an eye on Mach 1’s social media pages—where we will continue to share vital tips to help you stay prepared for anything that can happen in the Legislature.
   

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With Thanksgiving behind us and the holiday season in full swing, many organizations are ramping up their philanthropic efforts. Since the beginning of the pandemic, corporate charitable giving has increased by 23.8%– equating to $21.08 billion.

Which makes sense when you consider that almost three-quarters of Americans say that a company’s charitable giving impacts their spending decisions. As consumers and stakeholders take philanthropy into consideration, it’s imperative organizations showcase their efforts.

Here are a few tips on how to frame your charitable efforts in the right way:

Celebrate Kindness

• Take the time to highlight your employees, customers or partners who have contributed to the community. Showcasing an employee or customer can pan out two-fold-it builds up morale internally and introduces the partner organization, bringing more attention to their cause.

Impact Reports

• The end of the year is a time to celebrate success and growth. Use this opportunity to demonstrate how you have followed through on your commitment to a community, organization or issue. Giving employees paid time off to volunteer can be just as impactful as a direct financial donation. Track that time and include it in the overall contributions you made.
• For example, throughout 2022 the Mach 1 Group provided free communications support for a value of $30,000 to a fantastic organization with a brilliant mission: Keep Austin Fed reduces hunger and spares the environment by connecting surplus food with our fellow Austinites in need. What’s not to love about that?! If you’re looking for a worthy non-profit to support, we can’t say enough wonderful things about KAF!

A Call to Action

• With the start of the new year comes new resolutions. Bring attention to reputable organizations or charities that align with a cause you believe in and ask for others to donate or support this cause. Be sure to share why you invested in them and why others should make it a priority this coming year as well. 

Where to Share

• Make sure your charitable actions are on blogs, memos, social media and even through media releases. Transparency is the new currency; sometimes, you need to show people what you believe in, invest in and where you want success to prosper. 

Showcasing these efforts are important to your company, your employees, your stakeholders and your charities so take the time to share it.

The post Framing Your Charitable Efforts in the Right Way appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

As a strategic communications and public affairs firm, we invest time building relationships with reporters and getting to know their outlets. We often ask our contacts what they wish people knew about their jobs. We’ve compiled their thoughts to help you answer why your story isn’t getting the coverage you hoped for and what to do instead.

You’re messaging for insiders
You’re an expert in your subject area; with that expertise comes jargon and a highly detailed view of the topic. Reporters and their audience haven’t spent the time immersed in your topic, nor do they have the capacity to.

Instead: Step back and share the bigger picture rather than providing soundbites or quotes steeped in jargon or legalese – what does the average person need to know?

You’re targeting the wrong outlets.
Having your issue featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, or USA Today is an incredible feat, but it’s not the only way to effectively share your message. Each day these outlets receive thousands of story suggestions. Even with their digital version, they’re only able to publish a couple of hundred articles a day, meaning most pitches don’t make it out of a reporter’s inbox.

Your timing is off
Even the most carefully crafted communications calendars are at the mercy of the media cycle. Breaking news such as a natural disaster, political incident, or pop-culture moment could shift what media wants to publish at any second, allowing other stories to get picked up over yours.