The Fundraising Soundbank

Table of Contents

• > Browse the Soundbank
• >The Idea
• > How It Works
• > Soundbank Highlights
• > Additional Resources
• > Q&A
• > Contact

Browse the Soundbank

PRX has teamed up with DEI and PRPD to create an accessible online repository of fundraising programming for use by stations -- The Fundraising Soundbank. The goal is to pull together the best work of the past and present to serve either as broadcast-ready material or model content that stations can adapt for local use.

Public radio produces lots of fundraising programming -- some of it good, some of it great, some of it exceptional and proven to work wonders on the air.

The Fundraising Soundbank is public radio?s free on-demand source of fundraising audio and related materials: pitches, testimonials, classic bits, and proven "hits," evergreen and seasonal, format-specific and generic, ready for air or to inspire your own ideas.

There is a tremendous amount of energy, creativity, and expense that is invested in this programming. Now the Fundraising Soundbank provides an efficient way for stations to benefit from each other's efforts and find audio when they need it most.

Development professionals, station-based and independent producers, networks and national shows -- all are invited to contribute to the Fundraising soundbank and benefit from its riches.

The Soundbank runs on DEI's development experience and PRX's program-sharing tools.

Stations and producers upload audio to the soundbank on PRX.org using simple PRX drag-and-drop tools.

The Soundbankers (a rotating review board of DEI and PRPD members) will select certain pieces to highlight throughout the year.

Stations browse, audition, license and download pieces for broadcast or inspiration.

Take

Browse. Listen. License, download and broadcast what you like; all of it's free.

If you're not already a PRX member, open a free station PRX account

Give

Stations or producers: Add your fundraising work to the soundbank using PRX's straightforward drag-and-drop tools.

read the Quick-Start guide

For each piece, select the category "Fundraising soundbank *FOR AIR*" or "Fundraising soundbank *SAMPLE ONLY*."

Come Back

DEI's Pledge Team will highlight pieces throughout the year, and new material is constantly showing up.

Soundbank Highlights

Reviewed by Vermont Public Radio's Jody Evans and Fundraising consultant Melanie Coulson:

Radio For Music People
59:00, WTMD

Jody Evans wrote, "What an incredible body of work from WTMD! These 39 spots are successful because they succinctly tell a story, evoke an emotion, and provide listeners with a way to give. The spots are well produced with relevant clips of music that could have been overdone, but weren't, and range from laugh out loud funny to moving. Be sure to check out #4 Born to Run, #7 Clash and #10 Driving Music. WTMD should be held up as an example, not just for Triple-A stations - but for all of us on how to execute an effective listener testimonial."

A Kid Named Henry
01:29, KUOW

Melanie Coulson found this spot engaging. "This is a charming spot, made even more charming by 10-year old Henry. It's nice to hear core values coming out of the mouths of babes. I like the production aspects of this as well. First he makes the case...when/where he listens and why he likes ATC. He then puts a value on his listening ($1 a week) and finally the close with a call to action. If only every seasoned public radio pitcher could make the case so succinctly."

Melanie adds a note of caution. "Using children can add that perfect sparkle to a spot if they are well-spoken and the spot is well-crafted. Children alone for cuteness sake is not enough!"

Coffee Mug Pitch
00:49, WFUV

We could all use a good editor during the pledge drive - especially when it comes to pitching thank you gifts. Jody Evans found that by pre-producing this spot, WFUV kept the message concise and avoided the "home-shopping network" sound that a lot of stations suffer from during pledge drives (granted, this spot is supposed to sound like an infomercial).

Jody wrote, "The one element this spot lacked was a short value/case statement about the importance of WFUV. Humor is subjective and hard to pull off live, so why not pre-produce and guarantee a solid spot like this one from WFUV."

It's Not Complicated
01:22, KUOW

Melanie Coulson wrote, "This is an amusing and upbeat spot highlighting a local talk program. I like the editing and the music bed. The writing was perfect for the caller comments selected too, with nice case / close and a friendly tone. This is a spot that sounds how the programming it's describing sounds - making for well integrated fundraising."

Reviewed by Izzi Smith and WUNC's Regina Yeager:

Overload
0:30, WFIU

Regina and Izzi both liked this one. Regina said, "This one catches your attention before you could tune out because of fundraising! Nice use of humor and very clever." Izzi added, "Short, to the point, and a great set-up for local talent. Audition carefully - sounds a bit commercial."

One Way or Another
0:44, KUOW

Izzi thought this spot elegantly captures the real way public radio fits into a listener's life. Great language about sense of place and community - conversational and genuine.
"Love the 'out of the studio and into my life' sound - especially the little kid in the background."

Hamlet
0:57, WFIU

To pledge or not to pledge . . . that is the question. Regina said:
"Very clever spot! It's a little negative and threatening at the end. Give a listen to and see if it would work on your station."

Reviewed by KEXP's Melanie Coulson and WNYC's Mikel Ellcessor:

WBFO Fundraising Spots
8:00, Public Radio Program Directors Association

A collection of 2005 PRPD ACE Award winning spots. Mikel found spot number 2 especially compelling:
"The (#2) spot brings people who have a light touch with the message (high marks for letting us hear them laugh), but are utterly convincing speaking as themselves."

Fundraising Promos: Third Coast Audio Festival
04:47, WNYC

WNYC?s Jad Abumrad features segments by Ira Glass and Studs Terkel from the Third Coast Audio Festival, and asks for listener support. Melanie thought the Ira spot in particular is a good teaching tool for an OAF producer as an example of integrating core values into fundraising messages.

Drive Feature with David Isay
02:08, Vermont Public Radio

In this spot, StoryCorps Creator David Isay talks about the ripples of hope and goodwill that public radio creates; ultimately creating a more powerful, thoughtful and compassionate society. Mikel?s comments include:
"Isay's tape and delivery, coupled with VPR's editing and overall taste level, delivers a piece that lets the listener have a full, natural emotional response."

Fundraising Promos: Vox Montages
04:24, WNYC

Jad Abumrad asks for listener support, with clips of what listeners want from WNYC. Melanie wrote,
"The editing of these spots reminds me of very well-done music sampling. They are creative, without losing the point of making the ask."

Additional Resources

PledgeWell

Producing Your Drive
"Good fundraising is good programming."

Q & A

What does it cost to participate?

Nothing! Any station, producer, or public radio professional can sign up for a free starter account on prx.org and start using the Fundraising Soundbank.

How do I add a piece to the Soundbank?

Create a piece listing just as you would for any other piece by uploading your audio to your account, logging in, and clicking "add a piece" under the "My PRX" tab. Fill out all of the information necessary, and under "formats" choose Fundraising Soundbank *FOR AIR* or Fundraising Soundbank *SAMPLE ONLY* as one of your format options. This will add your piece to the appropriate Soundbank list. When you've finished filling out all of the piece information and have progressed to the "publishing" section, make sure to price your piece at 0 points. That's it. Nothing too fancy.

If this is your first time adding a piece to PRX in general, check out the adding a piece quick start guide for more detailed instructions.

What if I don't have enough space in my account to upload fundraising material?

Contact help@prx.org, and we'll give you the space you need to upload. If you have any doubts at all about adding fundraising material to your account, let us know; we can give you as much space as you need.

Do I have to be a paid PRX/DEI/PRPD member?

No. This is the reason we ask stations to make their fundraising material available at no cost: any PRX member - paid or with a free starter account - can access and license anything on the PRX Soundbank. It doesn't matter how many points you have or don't have. The Soundbank is simply a space for stations to share fundraising material.
This is not to say that there aren't benefits to being a paid member for other features of the PRX site: paid PRX, DEI and PRPD members have access to additional materials, storage space, and can earn royalties when their work is licensed by stations.

Do I need to be a tech whiz?

No, PRX is easy to use and even the web-wary among us can learn to upload audio with the free member tools.

Contact

Israel Smith

I.S. Marketing, LLC
ismarketing (at) yahoo (dot) com
(612) 377-3256

June Fox

Director of Station Relations, DEI
jfox (at) deiworksite (dot) org
(703) 759-2221

With any questions or requests: help@prx.org

© 2005, The Public Radio Exchange