When your conducting a raffle, the best prize is often one which is donated. But if no appropriate donations are forthcoming, another option is to buy an inexpensive prize with the understanding that your modest investment will be handsomely rewarded in ticket sales. Consider shopping (or at least monitoring) the Website Woot for an appropriate prize for a raffle. Woot sells one product per day, and prices are worth watching. Here's how Woot works. Woot sells one product per day until it's sold out, or until 11:59 PM central time when that item is replaced with a new product. If the featured daily item sells out, you must « Continue Reading »
July 28, 2009 By
Auction Item Idea: Heavy Equipment Training School
I love to learn. I believe that any subject can be interesting -- an adventure, really -- if you simply have the right teacher. I've undertaken dozens of classes over the years just for the pleasure of learning. (Auctioneering school was one of those classes.) Tonight while driving back from a client meeting, I passed a training academy which was so unusual it made me whip my neck around to read the sign again. Call me crazy, but this could be a unique auction item idea for the live or silent auction. It's been months since I've driven on Howard Road between I-295 and South Capitol Street. The last time I took that route, the « Continue Reading »
June 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
PODCAST: Celebrity Charity – Enlisting Stars to Your Cause
Eager to get a celebrity to attend your benefit auction? With the recent passing of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson - both of whom generously donated to charities - some nonprofits are curious about how one develops a relationship with a celebrity. You might imagine that a celebrity would bring greater awareness to your cause, add legitimacy to your cause, or boost gala ticket sales. If you're holding an auction, you might even hope that the celebrity would donate something, thereby helping you raise funds in a more direct way. In this podcast, I offer some suggestions on how to start the process. Click below « Continue Reading »
June 26, 2009 By 5 Comments
Celebrity Charity – Enlisting Stars to Your Cause
Wondering how to get celebrities to your party? Occasionally I’ll have a conversation with a non-profit attempting to build awareness of their gala. They want to invite a well-recognized actor or musician to the event. The charity’s goal is multifaceted. The presence of a star could draw others to attend their gala The star himself might donate to the auction, thereby raising funds in a more direct way. The close passing of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson - both active in charitable causes - renewed interest in this topic among my clients. Contacting and cementing a relationship with a star can be a « Continue Reading »
June 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
PODCAST: Auction procurement tips for behind-the-scenes TV experiences
One of the more popular auction items I sell are those having to do with the entertainment industry, such as “behind the scenes” activities for television shows. When a show donates one of these experience, it usually means that the winning bidder will get to watch a show being taped and perhaps enjoy a tour of the facility. Here are some auction procurement tips for securing these sought-after experiences. Click below to listen to the podcast. « Continue Reading »
June 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Benefit auction items: How to procure TV passes
One of the most popular types of benefit auction items I sell are those having to do with the entertainment industry, such as “behind the scenes” activities for television shows. When a show donates a "behind-the-scenes experience," it usually means that the winning bidder will get to watch a show being taped and perhaps a tour of the facility. For someone who hasn’t worked in the television industry, a taping can be exciting to watch. Here are some tips on securing these sought-after experiences. 1. Ask family, friends, and everyone on the auction committee who they know! Even when you think no one has a « Continue Reading »
June 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment
PODCAST: Auction procurement – Getting walk-on movie and TV roles
One of the more popular items sold in benefit auctions are items related to the entertainment industry. A walk-on part usually refers to the opportunity for someone to be part of the background of a movie or a commercial. This isn’t a speaking role, but it's still exciting for someone who hasn’t been part of a production. In this week's podcast, I give some tips to your auction procurement team on how they might procure such an item. Listen to the podcast below. « Continue Reading »
June 2, 2009 By 2 Comments
Benefit auction item: Procuring walk-on movie and TV roles
An auction volunteer from Minnesota recently wrote, "How do you even get some of these items. I'm just frustrated in over my head." Yikes! I want you to be inspired, not frustrated. If I've got tips on how to secure a benefit auction item, I'll share it. One of the more popular items I sell are those related to the entertainment industry. A walk-on part usually refers to the opportunity for someone to be part of the background of a movie or a commercial. This isn’t a speaking role, but it's still exciting for someone who hasn’t been part of a production. Here are some ideas on procuring walk-on movie and TV roles. Tip « Continue Reading »
May 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
PODCAST: Four ways to sell farm-to-table auction donations
While riding Amtrak back from New York, I read an article in the train's Arrive magazine. It talked about the farm-to-table movement. What is it? In essence, it's about sourcing ingredients locally. It's fresh, often organic, and seasonal. These dinners are the types of auction donations that sell well at galas. Listen to this podcast for four ways to create and sell farm-to-table items at your next gala auction. Listen to the podcast below. « Continue Reading »
May 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Benefit Auction Ideas: Four ways to sell farm-to-table donations
Whether you're a true gourmand or simply a gal who enjoys a good meal, your guests will love these four benefit auction ideas incorporating a farm-to-table dining experience. Earlier this month while on the train traveling back from New York to Washington, D.C., I read Amtrak's magazine Arrive. One article covered the farm-to-table movement and listed several restaurants known for their work in this area. What is the farm-to-table movement? In essence, it's about sourcing ingredients locally. Imagine the chefs in your town all heading to the neighborhood farmer's market and planning their weekly menus around the seasonal « Continue Reading »
