What to Expect When Hiring a Lobbying Firm

So you’re weighing the decision to bring in a lobbying firm. A strong partner can help you cut through the noise, open the right doors and move your agenda forward in ways your internal team may not be equipped to do on its own.

If you’re new to this world or need a refresher, the process can seem a bit unclear. At The Zita Group, we’ve been helping organizations across New Jersey navigate this space since 2007. We’ve seen what works, what doesn’t and what sets a partnership up for success.

Here’s what that process typically looks like:

Initial Exploration

Before any engagement begins, a good firm should take the time to understand your organization. That includes your goals, reputation, challenges and how your work fits into the broader policy landscape.

At TZG, we lead with questions and listen carefully. We want to know who you are, what you’re working toward and how stakeholders currently perceive your efforts. If your issue isn’t well known, we help assess what it will take to build awareness and credibility.

Onboarding & Set-Up

Once you’ve signed on, onboarding should be structured and intentional. This is where we gather the details: stakeholders, legislative history, timelines, internal priorities and key materials. We mutually establish the communication cadence and define what success looks like.

By the end of onboarding, you should know what collateral needs to be developed or refreshed and how we’ll work together to track progress.

Strategy & Messaging

You’re hiring a firm to help shape strategy, not just attend hearings. At this stage, we develop a clear advocacy plan aligned with your goals and. political timing. That means identifying champions, anticipating pushback and building an advocacy plan that aligns with the political moment.

Relationship Building

This is often the most visible part of lobbying. As a bipartisan firm with decades of experience in New Jersey, TZG opens doors that matter. We position you thoughtfully, connect you with the right stakeholders, and ensure your voice enters the conversation in a credible and informed manner.

Risk & Response

Political landscapes shift quickly. You need a team that doesn’t just react, but reads the situation in real time and adjusts the plan accordingly.

At TZG, we monitor developments closely and flag emerging risks early. If something unexpected happens, we’re already thinking through your options—and ready with alternatives.

Measurement & Insights

You should always know where your efforts stand. We provide regular updates, track progress across channels, and share insight from meetings, conversations and public sentiment.

Bottom Line:

A lobbying firm should be more than a messenger. It should be a strategic partner that understands your priorities, challenges your assumptions and helps you navigate what’s ahead.

The process outlined above is a general guide. In practice, every client’s journey is different. Goals, timing, visibility and internal dynamics all shape the approach. The right firm will tailor their work to fit you. At The Zita Group, we build strategies that reflect your organization’s needs.

Curious what that could look like for you? Book a call with our team.

About The Zita Group

The Zita Group is a woman-owned government and public affairs firm, both founded and led by Patrizia “Trish” Zita. Our bipartisan, experienced team of strategic consultants is widely respected by elected, appointed and government officials of both parties across New Jersey’s political landscape. We provide our clients unique insights into the decision-making process at the highest levels. We bring to bear credible working relationships with executive branch officials, legislators, and staff. Our team’s effectiveness has been demonstrated again and again by the results we achieve for our clients.