How to pitch Dressember to friends & family
Talking about human trafficking may feel scary and difficult. It’s a sensitive topic with a lot of misinformation surrounding it, so it’s understandable if you’re nervous to say the wrong thing while simultaneously wanting to help the people closest to you understand why this issue is important. That’s why developing a Dressember pitch with a personal touch can help you form great conversations with loved ones. Consider trying the following tips as a way to form and develop your pitch to explain what human trafficking is and how your loved ones can support you in your advocacy.
Tip #1: Customize Your Elevator Pitch
As a Dressember advocate, you may be familiar with having an elevator pitch. This can be useful when you are talking to co-workers or strangers, but pitching to loved ones can be a little different. They may not be familiar with human trafficking jargon and may lose interest if they get confused. Consider customizing your standard elevator pitch by practicing what you would say to specific individuals. You can add your personal touch by using a conversational tone, offering information that will resonate with the individual, being authentic and giving specific examples and emphasizing what they can do to help.
“We step into a dangerous trap when we tell ourselves not to attempt to make an impact unless it can be big. We forget that big impact usually begins as small impact.”
Tip #2: Bring It Up at a Good Time
Discussing why you care about human trafficking will require finding the right time to talk about it. You may have to set the scene to have a constructive conversation. Choose a setting and time where you believe you can be heard and seen. This is especially important if you want your audience to be actively listening. It is important to take into consideration the state of mind of your target audience before you start a conversation. It may not be easy to talk about a heavy issue or ask for support from someone that is stressed or under conflict. Consider starting a conversation through text with a friend or family member who may have similar interests by sending them the following message:
“I see your posts about fast fashion and how that is harmful, so I thought you might be interested in joining me in Dressember’s Style Challenge. Typically, advocates start in December. Are you interested?”
This method of outreach allows individuals to have the necessary time and space to consider joining you. Since you have identified there might be interest, inserting a clear call to action at the end of the message incentivizes them to be curious and ask questions. This can help spread awareness of how they can play a role in Dressember while addressing human trafficking.
Tip #3: Connect The Cause With Their Values
Make a list of the people who would benefit from hearing your pitch. Reflecting on who holds similar values in your life will help you save time and effort so you don’t have to reach out to everyone close to you. For those you do reach out to, reflect on why they would want to join and consider showcasing the benefits of being part of a like-minded community. This can include giving a personal testimony about how following Dressember’s Instagram allowed you to learn about human trafficking, how fundraising helped provide support to programs benefiting survivors of human trafficking and how your experience wearing a dress or tie for a whole month impacted you and the fight against trafficking.
Tip #4: Explain Points Clearly
Be ready to explain a complex issue in a simplified way. Don’t assume that your friends and family understand human trafficking and how Dressember fits into that. As a preparatory exercise, you could consider taking the time to write a one-paragraph summary of what human trafficking is, whom it affects and how it is harmful. Include one specific reason why Dressember is important to you, and end with a straightforward call to action. This paragraph can help serve as a talking base and help elevate your passion for ending human trafficking.
It can also be tough to explain how fast fashion is linked to human trafficking without coming across as condescending. Remember not to talk down to your loved one—we’re all part of an exploitative system, and all we can do is try our best to be conscious consumers! You can emphasize that advocacy through Dressember is a great way to combat this injustice.
Tip #5: Focus On Solutions
Discussing human trafficking can be a heavy and dark topic, especially considering that the brands most people buy from regularly are perpetuating it. Many people who learn about this issue through your pitch may not know what to do with the information. This is why knowing different ways they can be part of the solution is so important! Call to actions include the following:
Follow Dressember’s Instagram
Browse Dressember’s Ethical Fashion Directory
Join the Dressember Collective
Become a Dressember Advocate (using these fundraising tips)
Join Dressember’s Facebook groups
Read Dressember’s blog
This can help them get acquainted with Dressember and the work that is being accomplished by advocates. It has the potential power of giving them the push they need to become an advocate and acquainting them with a cause they would want to support.
Tip #6: Keep Open Communication
The great thing about pitching to friends and family is that you can continue to stay connected, unlike pitching to a stranger. You can continue having conversations about human trafficking on an ongoing basis. If you know one friend or family member in particular that likes fashion, consider updating them on your Dressember Style challenge. This can keep the topic fresh in their head and creates a recurring invitation to join.
Check out our how-to guide on formulating your elevator pitch here!
About the Author
Elle Magaña Mireles is a Latinx sustainable fashion advocate based in Chicago, IL. She believes clothing can be a gateway to creating a more just and humane world by bringing about global, positive change. In her free time, she writes for her sustainable fashion blog called Just Irenic, spends quality time in nature, and takes courses on social justice.