Produced Pitches

We asked volunteers and friends of KKFI to record testimonials. (Think of them as produced pledge pitches.) They run from 30 seconds to over a minute and generally fit the Perfect Pitch formula: Introduction + Case + Close = Pledge

 The Introduction tells the listener who’s speaking and why (to ask for money).  The Case is the reason the listener should become a donor (making your case for giving).  The Close is the “ask.” You’re directing the listener to go to the phone or computer and contribute now.

We now have a portfolio of about 40 of these produced pledge pitches loaded into PAL. Use them to make your pitching life easier and more effective.

So what does this mean to you, the host?

A pledge break needs to last at the very minimum 3 minutes to be effective. That can be a long time, especially if you’re not an experienced pitcher. (Even old hands sometimes have difficulty staying on topic for that long.) Here’s where the produced pledge pitch can help.

You’ve already decided what the one thing you’re going to talk about this break: new donors, funding, personal importance, diversity, local music, alternative news and views, etc. Make sure your pitch partners are on the same page. Then check the PAL list to find pitches that fit your theme for that break. (If you’ve planned your breaks before you go into the studio, you’ll be miles ahead of the game and not nearly so harried.)

Start the break by introducing yourself and your pitch partners; then do your own spiel. I suggest you then use a produced pitch saying something like this. “Don’t take my word for it. Listen to what (name of the pitcher) has to say.” Run the spot, and when you come out of it have one of your pitch partners do a live pitch. And so on around the studio. It’s not a good idea to make a produced pitch as the last pitch in a break.

In a short break (3-4 minutes) use the produced pitch only once. Longer breaks you can use them a couple of times. These are meant to supplement the live pitching, not to take the place of it. Nothing takes the place of your heartfelt pitch. If you come prepared to pitch with what you want to say top of mind, we’re sure to have a great pledge drive.

To listen to these breaks, go to http://www.kkfi.org/programmers/PledgePitches.html where you will find the spots listed below.

Play the selected pitch. At the end of the pitch, hit the “go back” arrow to play another pitch.

When you find a spot you want to use on-air, note the traffic code number (SPR) and enter it on the Pledge Break Worksheet as a reminder. Cat Cut Title Description Length

SPR 7015 Pledge Mark Manning Local Music 1:26 SPR 7020 Pledge MC Richardson Diverse views 1:15 SPR 7021 Pledge Larry J Shout out to suburbs and cities 1:19 SPR 7053 Pledge Pitch Reenie Carmack General Use: Value of KKFI 01:47.4 SPR 7062 Pledge Russ Simmons General Use: Value of KKFI 00:42.0 SPR 7063 Pledge: Connie Dover Roll-in General Use: Value of KKFI 01:02.6 SPR 7064 Pledge: LaDonna Jones Promo General Use: Value of KKFI 01:09.8 SPR 7068 Pledge David Sume Use during Blues Programming 00:40.2 SPR 7072 Pledge Barry Jackson KKFI's Commitment to local musicians 01:01.6 SPR 7075 Pledge Dr. Mike General Use: Value of KKFI 00:42.2 SPR 7088 Pledge Arjay General Use: Value of KKFI 00:53.7 SPR 7093 Pledge Jacque Levee Town General Use: Value of KKFI 00:54.8 SPR 7096 Pledge Stormin’ Norman Use during Music Programming 00:58.8 SPR 7098 Pledge Groovy Grant Use during Public Affairs Programming 00:57.4 SPR 7101 Pledge Luscious Lynn Use during Music Programming 01:06.9 SPR 7103 Pledge Michael Hogge General Use: Value of KKFI 00:56.2 SPR 7110 Pledge Judy Ancel 1 General Use: Value of KKFI 01:05.8 SPR 7112 Pledge Judy Ancel 3 Use during Democracy Now 01:05.9 SPR 7115 Pledge Charles Ferruzza General Use: Value of KKFI 00:52.1 SPR 7116 Pledge Val Baul Use during Music Programming 01:11.9 SPR 7117 Pledge Matt Quinn General Use: Value of KKFI 00:59.4 SPR 7128 Pledge Matching Gift Program Your employer may match your contribution 00:27.5 SPR 7133 Pledge Erin Alacartoona Increase your pledge if able 01:21.2 SPR 7357 Pledge: Amy Goodman 2 Use during Democracy Now 00:44.8 SPR 7901 Pledge: Sunshine General Use: Value of KKFI 01:18.9 SPR 7903 Pledge: Crystal Highland General Use: Value of KKFI 01:02.3 SPR 7904 Pledge: Elaine McMilian Use during Music and Arts Program 01:14.7 SPR 7906 Pledge: Jim Hightower General Use: Value of KKFI 01:07.2 SPR 7907 Pledge: Steve Peters Importance of Listener Support 01:12.3 SPR 7908 Pledge: Blues Kitchen 09 General Use: Value of KKFI 00:53.8 SPR 7910 Pledge: David Basse Promo General Use: Value of KKFI 00:56.3 SPR 7917 Pledge: Voices of KKFI 1 General Use: the Many Voices of KKFI 01:10.2 SPR 7919 Pledge: Voices of KKFI 3 General Use: the Many Voices of KKFI 01:12.6 SPR 7920 Pledge: Voices of KKFI 4 General Use: the Many Voices of KKFI 00:49.1 SPR 7921 Pledge: Voices of KKFI 5 General Use: the Many Voices of KKFI 00:50.6 SPR 7922 Pledge: Voices of KKFI 6 General Use: the Many Voices of KKFI 01:03.2 SPR 0000 Pledge: Chandra Graves 1 General Use: KKFI is Listening 01:11.2 SPR 0008 Pledge: Chandra Graves 2 General Use: KKFI is Listening 01:22.9 SPR 0012 Pledge: Chandra Graves 3 General Use: KKFI is Listening 01:15.6 SPR 0015 Pledge: Chandra Graves 4 General Use: KKFI is Listening 01:15.7 SPR 0020 Pledge: Chandra Graves 5 General Use: KKFI is Listening 01:06.1 SPR 0023 Pledge: Chandra Graves 6 General Use: KKFI is Listening 01:00.7