About the FTL & LRN AMP Program

Since its launch in 2005, listeners like you becoming AMPlifiers has been the driving force behind Free Talk Live's success in the world of commercial radio. There's no doubt Free Talk Live is the most successful, principled, pro-liberty show on the radio today. However, we know FTL is not for everyone. That's why LRN.FM - the Liberty Radio Network was launched in 2009. The purpose was to create a vehicle to expose our listeners - to our competition. Other voices in the liberty movement will attract people who would not be attracted to Free Talk Live. Different shows, different approaches to communication, different expertise - choices are good. In fact, LRN.FM streams multiple live and recorded shows with a liberty-oriented viewpoint, from around the world.

The AMP program's original intent was to help Free Talk Live succeed in spreading the message of liberty across the globe. Despite not yet reaching our final $10k per month goal, we have already achieved success and continue to grow to more stations. In fact, as our reputation in the radio industry grows, the AMP money becomes more effective, as we can bring more stations onboard in a shorter period of time, with the same budget. When we started AMP we created milestones at certain fundraising goals wherein, once reached, we'd implement new features on the website. Well, we've already accomplished all of them, and we did them all early, before reaching the milestones! Expected costs came down over time and it made more sense to implement them ASAP rather than waiting for the arbitrary fundraising milestones. As a result of AMP, we have added our webcam, 24/7 streams, and upgraded the quality of the podcasts, both the AMP and regular versions. In addition we accomplished what was our $7,500 milestone and launched our satellite channel featuring LRN.FM around-the-clock, thereby exposing new listeners to a greater range of liberty-oriented audio than just FTL and also giving micro broadcasters a new way to receive and rebroadcast LRN content.

Now that we at FTL have been so benefited thanks to our listeners' generosity, we can focus on exposing the wider liberty audio show community found on LRN.FM. From here out, this is now the FTL & LRN AMP program.

Five dollars a month is all we're asking. The price of a fancy cup of coffee for you makes a big difference for us. If you can't afford it, don't do it. Keep listening and enjoying the website for free, we still appreciate you. That said, the following is some of what we are already doing with five dollars a month from listeners like you:

• Public Relations Professional

  FTL is excited to bring Kari DePhillips and her crew at The Content Factory onboard to help generate more news coverage featuring Free Talk Live. She is already performing more effectively than Google Adwords.

• Free Satellite Channel

  We've been able to launch a free-to-air satellite channel for LRN.FM ahead of our original plan! The channel covers North America, and carries LRN.FM 24/7. Why are we doing this? Ku Band satellite goes everywhere the internet doesn't, and besides that, not everyone is online. Anyone with a view of the southern sky and some cheap equipment can listen to and even rebroadcast LRN.FM! Get more details here.

• Talk Shows USA

  Talk Shows USA is run by a talk radio industry veteran. He sends us leads on potential new affiliates and we get increased visibility and credibility. $500 a month.

• Radio Industry Ads

  TALKERS Magazine online ads in the daily newsletter and website. $500 per month.

• Sponsorships

  We have supported Lew Rockwell, the Porcupine Freedom Festival, Motorhome Diaries, Liberty On Tour, Nolanchart, the Ladies of Liberty Alliance's calendar, Freedom's Phoenix, the Liberty Forum, and more.

• Affiliate Hardware

  Our affiliates sometimes need a satellite receiver to air our show. We loan it to them and if they keep us on for a certain time, we give it to them. $1000 for receivers.

• Industry Conventions

  Mark and I meet with decision makers in the radio industry. About $2000 per convention.

AMPlifier Exclusive Benefits

• High Quality AMP-Only Podcast

  64kbps AMP-only podcast without the pre-recorded commercials you hear in the "regular" podcast!

• AMP-only Call in Lines

  Access to the toll-free AMP-only call in lines.

• Special Forum on BBS

  You'll get access to the special AMPlifier-only forum on the BBS! This is the place to get details on all the perks listed here, and interact with your fellow AMPlifiers and the FTL Crew. Plus, as an AMPlifier you may delete any unwanted replies to threads you create!

• AMP page recognition

  If you opt in, we'll post your name and location on this page, as a thanks and recognition of your continued support! (This will not be done for you by default, to protect those who wish anonymity.)

• AMPlifier-only Email Annoucements

  You can also opt-in to receive AMPlifier-only Email Announcements, keeping you in-the-loop on the successes we are having thanks to you!

$10,000 Per Month Goal

Here are some of the things we can do when we reach our goal of $10,000 per month:

• Increase our Ability to Get LRN Shows on Larger Radio Stations

  For several thousand per month, we'll be able to make LRN's shows available to major radio stations via their preferred delivery method. (Our existing 24/7 Ku-Band channel isn't really good for larger stations, while it is perfect for micros and smaller market stations.)

• REDUCE Commercial Time!

  Less commercial time means more, happier listeners. Also, our radio affiliates will be happy too, because fewer commercials makes them more competitive. To prove we're serious about reducing commercial time, on June 23rd, 2006 we cut out over 14% of our network commercial inventory. This means :30 fewer spots from our network and also :30 fewer FTL spots. Per hour. Plus, this reduction allowed us to remove an entire commercial break, meaning fewer interruptions and longer show segments. We'll slash more commercial time after reaching our $10k milestone!

• More Radio Industry Advertising

  We can spend more on radio industry advertising and more AM/FM stations will come on board and air Free Talk Live, exposing more new people to the message of liberty!

• More Internet Advertising

  On Google AdWords and other high-traffic sites.

• More Sponsorship of the Liberty Movement

  We have supported Motorhome Diaries, Liberty On Tour, Lew Rockwell, Nolanchart, the Ladies of Liberty Alliance's calendar, Freedom's Phoenix, the Porcupine Freedom Festival, the Liberty Forum, and we'd like to do more to raise the profile of LRN and FTL in the liberty movement.

Would you like to help us reach 10k per month even faster? Consider digging deep and contributing $10 or $25 per month. You can help us bring the message of liberty to others around the world. Use our secure server to become an FTL & LRN AMPlifier now with Paypal or a credit/debit card.

Thanks for your support!
Ian Freeman
Program Director, LRN.FM