Master Your ‘Investing in America’ Message

Now more than ever, corporations are under immense pressure to show how they’re investing in the United States. This is true for companies founded in the U.S. as well as for foreign corporations looking to grow their footprint in the American market as they confront tariff headwinds.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to see how companies are addressing national priorities, such as creating more manufacturing jobs, making America more energy independent, and contributing to American innovation across a range of industries. For the Trump Administration in particular, “America First” is the lens through which decision makers see the world. Their expectation is clear: corporate investment in America must be real and robust.

Here are three steps your company can take to tell a compelling American investment story:

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 

The cornerstone of any strong messaging campaign are the facts that back it up. Real numbers are what will turn talk of American investment into a powerful, impactful narrative with a clear economic benefit. 

Before you go to the printing press with your story, ask yourself how many American jobs has your company created. How much money is your company investing in new facilities and where? What percentage of the workforce are local hires? What percentage of the company’s suppliers are based in the U.S? The answers to these types of questions are the statistics your corporation will need to tell a strong American investment story.

Show, Don’t Just Tell

Just as a picture can tell a thousand words, an infographic can simplify complex information for mass consumption, helping lawmakers, staff and reporters easily understand your company’s American value proposition. For example, the president is well known to favor graphic representations over dense policy briefings. So, whether you’re highlighting the amount of new jobs your company has created in the U.S. or how its investments benefit local communities, an infographic or other visual asset like a chart or video can resonate meaningfully with decision makers in Washington.

Engage With the Community 

Investment should be reinforced with engagement. To show true value, weave your corporation into the threads of the community it serves. Charitable activities like corporate giving, volunteerism, and academic partnerships with local educational organizations are great ways to solidify your reputation while building goodwill among key lawmakers and the communities they represent.

Position Your Company as a Solution to National Priorities

Savvy public affairs campaigns can be used to strengthen a company’s advocacy position in Washington. The formula is to use your business’ core competencies as a vehicle for lawmakers to notch policy wins. For instance, right now the Administration is focused on boosting skilled trade jobs. Companies in this space could announce workforce development initiatives with community colleges and high schools, sharing expertise and support that helps students acquire the skills they need for success. These efforts are good for business and help policymakers illustrate how they’re making progress on issues of importance to them. 

Let Public Officials Share the Credit

If your message hits the mark, lawmakers will use it as a proof point. Take that as a symbol of success and share the limelight. Throughout this year, the president has kept a running tally of companies that have made commitments to invest in American communities. A smart way to gain favor with the Administration is to be on this list.

Regardless of who in Washington you’re hoping to reach, fine-tuning your company’s story is largely about creating the most favorable conditions to engage with public officials, thus softening the ground for policy wins. The strategy will differ across companies, but ultimately the need to demonstrate a tangible impact and an underlying principle of prioritizing American interests will remain the same.

Don’t Go it Alone

Crafting these kinds of messages requires expertise and insights—both of which the bipartisan team at ROKK Solutions has. Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can help you build your American investment story and deliver it to the right audiences.