The following calendar provides the basic outline for a 1-Day Drive.
Week 6 or Sooner
Come up with theme, pick date of drive and date for kick-off event.
Set pledge drive dollar goal and goal for number of pledges.
Start identifying pitch teams: 4 teams of two plus 2 backup teams.
Identify producer for pledge drive promos and post drive thank you spots.
Hold pre-drive staff meeting and explain the 1-Day Drive concept. Start the process of getting staff excited.
Write and send copy to NPR for custom spots.
Include 1-Day Drive copy in existing mail.
Design and order mugs.
Week 5
Write post drive thank you messages to record at pre-drive event.
Start production of pledge drive promos.
Start scheduling phone volunteers. Use seasoned volunteers where possible, especially in drive times. Be prepared for some walk-in pledges.
Week 4
Host kick-off event for community leaders, station stakeholders and some underwriters. Schedule staff, especially on-air staff, to attend.
During community event: record guests reading post drive thank you messages. Have scripts available, but strongly encourage them to write their own.
Hold a pitch training session for staff. Prepare at least two staff members to train volunteers who will pitch (if any).
Week 3
Send out pre-drive mailing. This should hit about 2 ½ weeks before the drive starts. All segments (Renewal, Add Gift, Lapsed) should get at least one 1-Day Drive mailing no more than three weeks out.
Send press release to local newspapers.
At the end of the week start promotion of pledge drive on the website.
Start putting together pitch log. Include 25-30 minutes of pitching per hour especially during drive times and schedule recorded NPR news and custom spots. During the midday, schedule as many pitch breaks at time allows.
Week 2
Start first round of pledge drive promos, at least 6 per day.
Pitch teams finalized.
Phone volunteer schedule finalized.
Week 1
Start second round of pledge drive promos in heavier rotation, 9 per day
Start count down to 1-Day Drive on website.
Hold pitch training for guest pitchers. Time can also be used to refresh staff.
Hold phone volunteer training if needed.
Record first 2 pitch breaks.
Finalize pitch log.
Day Before Drive
Set up pledge room: phones, pledge forms, program and pitch schedules.
Test all equipment and phones by 11am.
Send e-blast appeal by 12n.
Post signs in on-air studio.
Print scripts/bullet points for pitchers and place in air studio.
Print pitch logs for pledge producers and board ops.
Put together the list of names of people who pledged early, to thank on the air.
Day of Drive
First team of the drive should be in place no later than 20 minutes before first pitch.
Update web page to reflect the kick-off of the 1-Day Drive. Keep regular updates throughout the day.
Pull program rundowns as soon as possible.
Record as many pitch breaks as possible to aircheck and use for future trainings.
Record post-drive thank you messages that include drive results.
Post last update on web page before you close up the station.
Day after Drive
Start post drive thank you spots, 9 per day for the first three days and then 6 per day for three days.