This is Part 4 of our blog series on how organizations can use Hustle to boost engagement with smart texting strategies. If you’re just joining us, check out Part 1 (Higher Ed), Part 2 (Event Comms), and Part 3 (NIL Collectives) for more ideas.
If you’re part of a public radio or TV station, you’re probably juggling a million things — on-air fundraising drives, member programs, event promotions, thank-you calls, and more. Good news: texting can make all of that easier and more effective.
Now let’s dig in. Here are our favorite ways that public media organizations can use texting to build stronger audience relationships, simplify fundraising, and grow membership all year long.
Reactivate and retain donors
Your team puts a ton of effort into building donor relationships — don’t let them slip through the cracks.
- Credit card issues? Set up a monthly text reminder to folks with expired or declined cards, that includes a simple link so they can easily update their info.
- Lapsed donors? Win them back with a personalized note or video showing the impact of their past gift.
- Major donors? Use Hustle Personalized Clips to send a quick, personalized thank-you from their favorite on-air host or a behind-the-scenes update on how their gift is making a difference.
Prefer to call instead of text? Hustle’s Dialer makes donor thank-you calls more efficient and trackable.
Make fundraising drives more impactful
If you’re hosting an on-air pledge drive, consider these strategies to supplement via text. With Hustle, you can:
- Text out pictures of giveaways (like the iconic tote) with a CTA to donate: “Text TOTE to 12345 to donate $50 and get this thank-you gift.”
- Use keywords like DONATE or SUPPORT to simplify giving on mobile, especially for people listening on the go. Sharing a short code number and a simple keyword on air is an easy call-to-action for listeners who might not hear a long URL correctly. Once they text in with the keyword, you can set up an automatic reply that includes a donation link.
- Automate post-donation follow-ups — tag donors and send thank-you messages, campaign updates, or future asks based on giving level or donor type.
- Announce time-sensitive offers like donation matches or countdowns to increase urgency.
Stay connected year-round
Don’t let your station go quiet between drives — keep your community engaged in small, but meaningful ways. Consider trying out one of the following ideas that are low-lift engagement tactics and don’t require making an ask of your audience:
- Sharing quick videos: behind-the-scenes clips, social media highlights, or memorable interview moments.
- Promoting local events, such as book clubs or screenings, with reminders and RSVP links.
- Growing your email list with a simple short code that’s easy to share on air: “Text NEWSLETTER to 12345” is way easier than reading out a full URL.
- Running quick surveys with keywords and automations to collect feedback from your most engaged supporters.
Leverage strategies that work with what you’re already doing
Texting doesn’t replace your other channels — it strengthens them. Here are a few ways to think differently about your existing efforts:
- Pair texts with direct mail by adding QR codes or short codes to donation letters.
- Remind donors to check their email or confirm a call time via text.
- Follow up quickly after a pledge or event with a video or thank-you message that keeps the good vibes going.
Texting can be a powerful tool for public media organizations looking to grow their audience, boost fundraising, and build stronger supporter relationships. Whether you’re running a pledge drive, thanking a donor, or getting the word out about your latest newsletter or event, a thoughtful text can make a big difference.
Stay tuned for more in this series – in part 5, we’ll unpack the best ways to leverage keywords and automations for game days!
