TL;DR — An advocacy day generates energy that usually fades within a week if nothing captures it. A short round of video follow-ups — delegates reflecting on the day while it's fresh — turns a one-off event into material you can use for months afterward.
- Collect reflections within 24-48 hours of the event, while the specifics are still fresh.
- Ask what happened in the room, not just how people felt about attending.
- A short reel from one day of advocacy can support outreach for months afterward.
- Keep the ask light — delegates are often tired right after a long day of meetings.
On this page
Why the window closes fast
The specific detail a delegate remembers from a meeting — what was said, how a representative responded, what surprised them — fades within days. A follow-up video request sent a week or two later tends to produce vaguer, less useful material than one sent the next morning.
A follow-up timeline
- Same day or next morning: send a short, light-touch link with one question, acknowledging that people are likely tired.
- Day 2-3: a gentle reminder to anyone who hasn't responded, framed as quick and optional.
- Day 4-5: compile the strongest clips into a short reel while the event is still recent news internally.
- Following weeks: reuse the reel in follow-up outreach to the offices visited, in supporter updates, or in material for the next advocacy day.
What to ask
Specific, concrete questions produce more usable material than general ones about how the day felt:
- "What's one thing that happened in your meeting that stuck with you?"
- "What would you tell someone thinking about doing this next time?"
- "What question from the representative's office surprised you?"
- "What's the one thing you want people to know about today?"
Keeping identities appropriately low-key
Depending on the context, some delegates may prefer not to be prominently identifiable in public-facing material, particularly where the advocacy topic is contested. Offer a lower-visibility option (voice-only, or filmed from behind) for anyone who wants to contribute without being front and centre.
How to do this in Whoosh
Send the follow-up link to delegates the same day, with one light question, and compile responses into a short reel for reuse in follow-up outreach and future advocacy day recruitment.
Start freeFrequently asked questions
How soon after the event should we ask for a video?
Same day or the next morning works best, while specific details are still fresh and before the group disperses back to normal routines.
Should every delegate be asked to contribute?
Asking everyone is fine since it costs nothing extra, but keep the request light — a long or demanding ask right after a tiring day will get a poor response.
Can we use this material to recruit for the next advocacy day?
Yes, this is one of the most effective uses of the footage, provided your original consent covered future reuse — see the consent form template.