I’m sitting here, like the rest of America, listening to my local NPR station (free plug) running their quarter-annual pledge drive. In just the past 10 minutes, I have heard no fewer than 10 different pitches:
Guilt
Stop being a freeloader, you listen all the time, so pay up
Altruism
Donate so that people who don’t have the means can keep enjoying radio too
Greed
Win an iPad! (this also functions under Social caché, see below)
Competitiveness
We only have 2 more days to reach our goal!
Urgency
Act now!
Cost
Someone has to pay for this, Morning Edition costs (cue Dr. Evil) ONE MILLION DOLLARS!
Self-interest
You hate the pledge drive, so sign up for monthly and we’ll reduce the number of days
Convenience
Monthly giving means you won’t get any more mail (this is a lie)
Simplicity
Just click here! (and then here, and then here, and then here and then fill out this form, and then click here, and then here and then….
Social Caché
Only members at XX level can get this item (Social caché, alternate: This item is only available during the pledge drive!)
UPDATE: LOL, three more!
Vanity
Smart people listen to NPR
Shame
Act like a grownup. Pay for what you use
Wealth
Your donation is an investment
They just keep coming: another update, under the “Convenience” label (convenient for the station, anyway)
Monthly giving option is easier for us, so choose that!
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