Positioning in Politics

A political position paper is one of the most important tools in public affairs consulting. In practice, however, many such papers fail: they end up unread in the trash because they are written from the sender’s point of view rather than from the perspective of political decision-makers.

For a position paper to serve as a door opener and effectively shape political processes, it should be structured according to the “bait-and-fish principle”: the content must benefit the recipient (the fish), not just the author (the angler).

The 5 most important success factors at a glance:

1. Executive Summary at the very top: Key messages and demands belong right at the beginning, not at the end.
2. Solutions instead of complaining: Those who merely criticize the status quo close doors. Present concrete, actionable alternatives.
3. Facts instead of speculation: Back up your arguments with data and sources to establish expertise and build trust.
4. Visual presentation: Avoid walls of text. Use graphics, bullet points, and a clear structure.
5. Clear Call to Action: State precisely what political measures or decisions you expect—including easy ways to get in touch.

You can find the full article with all details, practical examples, and FAQs in the original article on openPR (German Version): Writing a Position Paper: How to Convince Political Decision-Makers (First published: June 3, 2026, openPR Editorial Team)