How to Establish a Lobbying Agency

Lobbying in America is an industry that keeps growing; between 2005 and 2010, the amount of money spent by businesses and others requiring lobbying services grew by $1 billion, while the amount of active American lobbyists dropped by about 1,000. Lobbyists often work at the federal or state level to represent the interests of organizations and individuals affected by prospective legislation. Lobbying agencies must register with government bodies to disclose financial information regarding lobbying activities.

Instructions

1. Register as a lobbyist with each different level of government you plan to include in your lobbying activities. Washington, D.C., lobbyists who plan to lobby public officials at either the House of Representatives or the Senate must apply for registration with the clerk's office of either legislative body. Lobbying firms targeting elected state officials typically must register with the State department for that state or with the state's Office of the Secretary.

2. Contact the public records offices for the government entities your agency plans to lobby to identify what information must be recorded for financial reporting purposes. For instance, the U.S. Senate's Office of Public Records requires registered lobbying firms to submit annual reports detailing any gifts given during lobbying activities, charges for mass mailings and an accounting of all lobby-related expenditures. Ask for a copy of any forms that must be completed for financial disclosure purposes.

3. Research laws currently being developed or debated within the level of government that your firm can lobby. Knowing the current legislation issues within the jurisdiction of your firm can help you identify clients who may be looking for lobbyist help. Understand how the new laws may impact different industries or citizens to get ideas on business contacts.

4. Build a list of clients who want your firm to represent their interests in political lobbying activities. Network with business clients by cold calling the different organizations and individuals that you have identified as stakeholders in the development of current legislation, or by attending various political and business events in your area. Sign a contract with these clients that indicates both the lobbying activities that your firm will perform for the client as well as compensation rates for the work performed.

5. Register client information with the government body that you will represent the client to. This often only needs to be completed when a lobbying agency earns a certain level of compensation from the client. For instance, lobbyists registered with the U.S. House of Representatives must register client information only if the firm will receive at least $3,000 from the client within one quarterly period. Client registration information must include the name of the business or individual and what lobbying activities the agency has agreed to perform.

6. Network with legislators in order to expand the scope of lobbying services that you can offer your clients. Low certification and licensing requirements, beyond the registration required to lobby a level of government, mean networking is crucial to the career advancement of any lobbyist. Lobbying firms that can advertise their connections with different committees or other influential political groups are more likely to find higher-paying clients.

Tips & Warnings

• Networking opportunities may be aided by joining professional lobbyist organizations, such as the American League of Lobbyists.

References

• U.S. House of Representatives: Office of the Clerk: Lobbying Registration
• LawForChange: Michigan Lobbying Registration and Reporting
• U.S. Senate: Lobbying Disclosure: Office of Public Records
• U.S. House of Representatives: Office of the Clerk: Lobbying Disclosure Act Guidance
• The Princeton Review: Career: Lobbyist
• OpenSecrets.org: Lobbying Database
• American League of Lobbyists: History