Research

• One practical benefit of lobbying is the research that lobbyists conduct on behalf of legislators. Lobbyists distill the mass of information that relates to issues of public policy. Although legislators and elected representatives have staff and support, they have limited time and resources to research and analyze information. Lobbyists (on both sides of issues) gather information, review and analyze data and explain the advantages and disadvantages of pieces of legislation.
  
  

Privately Financed

• Lobbyists are privately financed, and they do not use public funds to gather the information that legislators need. Lobbyists organize information and create graphs, charts, polls and reports to represent public opinion. By doing so, they save taxpayer money because legislators and public officials do not have to spend money to collect data and conduct public opinion research.
  
  

Representation

• Lobbyists give constituents a voice. It is a misconception that lobbyists only advocate on behalf of big, powerful corporations. Many lobbyists serve minority interest groups. They act as a mouthpiece for individuals and small interest groups that might not otherwise be heard. Because lobbyists are professional persuaders, they have the knowledge, resources and abilities to influence legislators and, therefore, legislation, in ways that individuals and small groups may not be able to.
  
  

Public Involvement

• Lobbyists mobilize local interests. Although many lobbyists work to persuade legislators, some lobbyists also communicate with the public. Grassroots lobbyists travel, speak, blog and write to increase public awareness about certain issues and to compel voters to act on those issues. By enlisting the community in the effort to influence public policy, lobbyists involve more people in the civic process.