Planting a Seed of Truth: Distributing The Advocate Person to Person
By , Published December 7th, 2011

In my last post I talked about how you can distribute The Advocate to people in your community. Among the methods I listed, the person-to-person method is the most effective way to make sure someone is exposed to the life changing truth within The Advocate. Personal interaction can be challenging and intimidating so there are a couple of things you should keep in mind:

1. Location. Find a public place with lots of people. Open celebrations in the park, farmers’ markets, and college plazas are all good choices. Remember, if you are on public property – you have a right to be engaging in this protected first amendment activity.

2. Positioning. Place yourself at an intersection or corner with heavy foot traffic. Give yourself easy access to approach people who walk by, and be sure you are visible from a few yards away so you don’t startle anyone.

3. Demeanor. When you offer someone The Advocate, approach them deliberately and with confidence. Make eye contact as you greet them and keep a relaxed expression on your face. If you force a smile too strongly, it may look insincere.

4. Supplies. Hold a stack of 20-100 copies of The Advocate in one hand, and a single copy in the other, ready to hand to the next person you encounter. You may hold more than one in your free hand if there is a couple or small group approaching. Keep a box of extra copies on the ground nearby you when the stack you are holding runs out.

These tips will help you to distribute, but we hope that not only will people be reached by The Advocate, but by you as well. The Advocate will often be a life changing conversation starter and, when it is, there a few tips that can help you make sure the conversation stays on topic and impactful.

1. Introduction. Be confident and up-front when you introduce The Advocate to someone. Don’t be afraid to describe The Advocate from the beginning as a human-rights or pro-life magazine. You can also point out that it is the only by-students, for-students pro-life magazine in the country.

2. Focus on the Magazine. It’s easy to get drawn into a deep or complicated philosophical discussion of abortion with somebody. That is valuable and will probably happen, but before it does, be sure to present the unique content in The Advocate. The evidence within the magazine will help someone who is undecided on abortion begin to question it.

3. Listen. Ask the other person what they think, and listen carefully.

4. Be Respectful. Be calm, kind, and respectful. These things are essential to having a constructive dialogue.

5. Be Bold. Don’t be afraid to politely challenge someone to re-examine their own assumptions or beliefs about abortion.

As the conversation draws to an end, an important thing to keep in mind is that very rarely will you see a conversation lead to an immediate conversion. By giving someone The Advocate and discussing it with them you will be planting a seed of truth. As they leave and go on with their life we can only hope that will continue to think about what they read and heard. Not all seeds of truth blossom into a changed a person, but many do. We just need to make sure we plant enough seeds.

To see that the truth reaches those around you, sign up to become a distributor today!
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  • Hollyhansard

    Daniel, I agree with, and LOVE all of your points!  All of your points for, “Planting the Seed of Truth” in “Distributing The Advocate Person to Person.”  Heart to Heart!  It makes me want to find a LOCACTION where there are MORE people.  (Which for me, is, not in the town or even the County where I Live!)  Though I could be wrong, as it appears, you are talking “San Jose” and/or “Big City” or Large University Campus distribution.  Here in “Small Town USA” there may be other “smaller scales” ways to “distribute” Copies of “THE ADVOCATE” that MAY be less intimating, and may also be less OVERWHELMING for the New Comer to ADVOCATE sharing.  If I may, I might like to share at least ONE idea  ”from the field’ of Small Town USA.  and, from the field of one SMALL person, USA.  OK, let me start with the topic of LOCATION!  The best place to share THE ADVOCATE is, where ever you are! That’s my main thing # one. You see, I can’t easily travel to a location where there are “lot’s of people.” I don’t have the gasoline to do so, nor do I have the $$ for the gasoline.  Nor are “lots of people” in my small town. (Save for the community college near me, perhaps.  But, even that is SMALL.)    I don’t say that I’m the best example in all things, I’m especially not the best example in sharing ADVOCATES, but I have shared over 1000 copies of The Advocate with others.  And, MOST of those copies have been shared person to person. (However, I haven’t shared all of those copies locally!) I shared SOME of those in Manhattan Beach in the Los Angeles on the Strand… Others I have shared with youth and old alike Across America while traveling. When I’m in my small town, or when I’m in ANY small town across America or in California,  I like to have on hand  X amount of ADVOCATES with me where ever I go.  I like it when I find  find a “good home” for THE ADVOCATE.  I love the POSITIVE  responses that I get. (99% of the time I get Positive responses.)   When I have my car with me, thanks to your kindness, I am able to keep a box of Live Actions ”THE ADVOCATE”  with me in “store.”  With this most recent issue of “The Advocate” I discovered that local law enforcement offices as well as local district attoreny offices LIKE The Advocate. In fact, they are grateful for them!   When I’m on a bicycle or walking going about my day, I like to keep at least three or four with me in a cloth carrying bag of some sort. Anyway, once again, THE BEST location for me to share copies of THE ADVOCATE is, where ever I am!   Where ever you are is the best place to share the GIFT of THE ADVOCATE.   Sure, I would like to share copies of THE ADVOCATE on a BIGGER SCALE, and, perhaps ONE day, I will, but in the mean time, where ever I am, even if it’s just sharing ‘Small Scale” or more rather, sharing The Advocate Small Town USA, small town USA with one little old me, little old me wearing my Daddy’s Cowboy boots, nothing big and no one “big,” it works. Live Action works! It works for Love and with Love!  Sharing copies of  Live Action’s “The Advocate” works for Life!  and for Love!   Any way, it works for me!  And, it’s easy! As Daniel writes, sharing copies of “The Advocate” is Planting a seed. A seed of truth and love!  Apollo waters and, may God continue to give the increase….        

  • Hollyhansard

    P.S.  It’s really fertile ground out there!  The good seed of “The Advocate” shared in Love and for Love and with Love, even Love in teeny tiny measure, can take easy root, if planted! 

  • Hollyhansard

    It will take easy root!  And, once the root is established good fruit will follow.  Very, good fruit!  Re: Planting seeds of Love and Truth and Justice, God’s Justice and Mercy via The Advocate!