One of my projects in my last year of working at GE was planning the annual senior management meeting. That’s when all of the senior team convened in an upscale hotel and spent 3 or 4-days in executive-level strategy and training sessions. Although we had internal speakers, we also hired outside facilitators, motivational speakers, and similar types. The vetting process was aggressive. I spent hours selecting contractors, watching their videos, reading articles, studying websites, and calling referrals. Why did I bother with such intense vetting of a mere contractor who would be working with us for an hour? Because I « Continue Reading »
May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Should you really give that guy a microphone? (Or “How to lose your corporate job.”)
May 14, 2013 By 2 Comments
Where smart Auction Chairs spend their money
Established auction committees tend to write lots of checks. A budget for fundraising gala will vary by group (for instance, you might have access to a free venue; others might negotiate discounted printing), but when we look at the budgets of committees coast-to-coast, we see common expenses. And it’s not uncommon to see costs shape up like the chart on the right. So do you think that if you write the biggest check to the caterer or the venue or the band (pick a category), they are providing the greatest help to you in your mission? Probably not. Let's consider some examples ... If the florist creates « Continue Reading »
March 19, 2013 By 2 Comments
Too good to be true? Playing it smart with unsolicited auction items.
When I first started my business, I prospected for business by cold calling. (Cold calling means reaching out to someone who doesn’t know you and to whom you have no connection.) At the time I was living in Miami, FL so I Googled lists of area private schools and nonprofits. I’d visit each group’s Website, researching it to see if they held an auction. If they did, I’d call them to tell them about my services. I share this because if you’ve posted anything about your benefit auction on your website, don’t be surprised when “donations” start appearing in your email inbox! Photography services, fabulous homes « Continue Reading »
March 5, 2013 By 9 Comments
How to get auction guests to notice your fabulous benefit auction items
The last time I visited my parents, I did a lot of work outside. But before I could mow, trim, dig, rake, and haul, I needed to remove about 30 orange and yellow flags from the yard. The city had cross-crossed my parents lawn with small flags identifying various cable and utility lines in preparation for some work that had been completed a couple of months earlier. When I asked Dad why he wanted me to store the flags versus just throwing them away, he said, “You never know when they might come in handy.” Well, he’s right. And as I knew he'd never miss one flag, I packed one into my suitcase to share this idea with « Continue Reading »
February 11, 2013 By 2 Comments
Is your benefit auctioneer angling for a one night stand?
It’s a provocative title, n'est-ce pas? But as we are nearing Valentine's Day, it is oh-so-appropriate for us to be frank about this subject. Here's a dirty little secret: As you're calling different auctioneers, trying to find one for your benefit auction, you should know that most of them are secretly hoping for a one-night stand with you. In and out. Perform, collect the check, and leave. These types of benefit auctioneers are not seeking a long-term relationship. They hope that you'll book them for that one glorious night, and require nothing more than that they be onsite for a big performance so they can “do their « Continue Reading »
February 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Protected: For your eyes only
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October 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Careful! Donations from book authors could be your next live *or* silent auction item
Last week I held a FREE teleclass teaching you how to procure items for your benefit auction without leaving your home. This week, I'm sharing ONE of the ideas I presented. +++++ Interested in hearing all 7 secrets for procuring great items? For a LIMITED time, enjoy a recording of that call here. +++++ From 2009 through 2011 I sold a number of author-related items at my client's benefit auctions: 4 auctions sold dinners with well-known authors 3 auctions sold "have your name written as a character in a novel" opportunities 1 auction sold a set of two advanced reading copies from a famous author 1 auction sold a « Continue Reading »
April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
VIDEO: A DISadvantage of large crowds at your nonprofit auction
When it comes to gala auctions, most of us generally think that "bigger is better." Often that is true. A larger guest count frequently suggests a positive trend, but it can adversely affect other areas of your gala. For instance, you might need to change benefit auctioneers. Watch the video below. P.S. For other nonprofit auction ideas, get great tips delivered to you by subscribing to Benefit Auction Ideas. It's free! « Continue Reading »
February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
PODCAST: Benefit auction secrets – One DISadvantage of a large crowd
Just because your benefit auctioneer knows how to manage 250 people doesn't mean he’s ready to oversee your gala of 1,000 guests. His ego, enthusiasm, or lack of money in the bank might have him saying, "I can do this!" But his experience level might suggest that he needs to stick with smaller groups for a couple more years (or longer). If you move forward, you're taking a risk. In today's podcast, learn how to negotiate those risks. Listen to the podcast below. « Continue Reading »
November 30, 2011 By 2 Comments
VIDEO: Where to get charity auction items
It's one of the biggest stresses of any auction committee ... where to get items. If you're involved in a first year event, the item procurement process is especially tedious. Knowing what items to get -- and WHERE to get them -- is overwhelming. To help you understand the process at a high level, here are the three primary ways to procure charity auction items. (And I'm guessing that you've never heard of #3!) (UPDATE: The Tech Teleseries mentioned in the video has passed. Stay abreast of future tutorials by subscribing to my e-zine, Benefit Auction Ideas.) Watch the video below. « Continue Reading »
