Call Time Script Outline

Steps to make the ask:

  • Establish rapport 

    • Who are you? What are you running for? Why are you calling?

  • How they benefit

    • Consider their circle of benefit

  • Prove that you can win/that you are viable

    • Endorsements, doors knocked, money raised, number of donors, how you differ from your opponent.

  • Why their help is crucial/where the money goes

    • How are you reaching voters?

  • Make a specific ask

    • Ask for what you want!

  • Wait! Wait! Wait! 

    • Be comfortable with the silence after a hard ask, let the donor speak first. If you speak first, you let the donor off the hook. 

Possible Answers/Negotiations:

If they say yes:

  • Collect credit card info over the phone

  • OR most up-to-date email address

  • Send pledge follow-up email if they did not give their credit card

If they say no:

  • Repeat how they benefit and what the money will be used for

  • Ask for 50-75% of original ask

  • If it’s still a no, thank them for their time and ask them to consider supporting you 

  • And ask for most up-to-date email address to keep them updated on campaign

End the call:

    • Thank the donor and let them know their support is crucial 

Resolicit Call Time Script Outline

Re-soliciting your donors is a crucial step in fundraising. Donors can often give more than once, but you have to ask them for it!

The best way to do this is by calling them to thank them for their contribution, providing updates on the campaign or a critical new deadline, and asking the donor to match their previous contribution.

Donors are already invested in you and your campaign, and are often able to continue supporting you.

The script outline below will help you understand how to resolicit a donor and what to say in a call to them.

Steps to make the ask:

  • Thank the donor!

    • Let them know how much their early investment in your campaign helped build the foundation for success

  • Provide updates!

    • Money raised since launching

    • Growth of campaign, staff hires

    • Endorsements

    • Polling (if available)

    • Doors knocked - path to victory

  • Sense of Urgency

    • Primary/General election date is approaching

    • The way to win is to connect with as many voters as possible

    • Investing in (mail, tv, radio, walk pieces) to contact voters and spread your message

    • Goal to raise to $XX to print mailers, put TV ad on air, etc. 

  • Make a specific ask

    • Can you match your previous contribution of $X today?

  • Wait! Wait! Wait! 

    • Be comfortable with the silence after a hard ask, let the donor speak first. If you speak first, you let the donor off the hook.  

Possible Answers/Negotiations:

If they say yes:

  • Collect credit card info over the phone

  • OR most up-to-date email address

  • Send pledge follow-up email if they did not give their credit card

If they say no:

  • Repeat how they benefit and what the money will be used for

  • Ask for 50-75% of original ask

  • If it’s still a no, thank them for their time and ask them to consider supporting you 

  • And ask for most up-to-date email address to keep them updated on campaign

End the call:

    • Thank the donor and let them know their support is crucial This can be 2 commitments of $100 , 1 commitment of $50 + 2 commitments of $75, 1 commitment of $200, etc.