Interest groups with different points of view than the political parties in power influence society primarily through advocacy, public engagement, and strategic action. Among the options provided, the most relevant response is:
They run advertisements about their topic and encourage the public to vote for other candidates.
This method allows interest groups to raise awareness about their issues, shape public opinion, and mobilize voters to support candidates who align with their viewpoints. Additionally, they may also use lobbying and direct engagement to influence legislation indirectly, but the direct influence on public sentiment and electoral outcomes through advertising and encouraging voting aligns best with your question on societal influence.