Charity Auction Tips to Conquer a Loud Crowd at your Auction Fundraiser
When I visit with some organizations about their auction fundraiser, they insist that their charity auction crowd is unusually loud.
“Our crowd likes to party,” one will say. Or, “We can’t ever get them to pay attention.”
Uh ….like, yea.
That’s because your guests view the benefit auction as a party, so fundraiser auctions are loud.
- Charity auctions are celebratory events for them. A portion of them may see it as a date night away from the kids.
- Others came to pay tribute to your honoree.
- Someone else wants to tease a community leader in a public roast.
- Another auction guest sees it as a chance to catch up with friends.
And you see it as a fundraiser. Fundraising may be high on your list, but it might not even be on their radar screen.
So it’s no surprise they are loud. Your guests want to have fun, and we want them to have fun, too. The key point is to plan for it. Here are four auction tips.
1. Invest in the proper sound system.
If we assume that 20% of the crowd is bidding in the live auction, the other 80% of the audience are chatting with friends. The sound system needs to cut over the din of the audience and allow the benefit auctioneer to be heard. Guests won’t bid or follow directions if they can’t hear.
Re-read that last sentence. It’s really important.
Really.
2. A dynamic auctioneer
For God’s sake, put someone on stage who has some personality.
Your charity auctioneer should not simply be “calling the numbers.” He needs to develop some rapport. Maybe she should even show a little humor. Really.
Friend, if your auctioneer has poor rapport, the crowd will get louder … and louder … and louder as they try to be heard over the sound system. Add alcohol, and it doesn’t get better.
A good benefit auctioneer doesn’t care if people are talking (I certainly don’t), but I also know what to do if at any time I think I’m losing someone. And if I’ve got a good sound system, I can engage the interested bidders.
3. Stick to the timeline
Guests will be less likely to pay attention when the schedule spirals out of control. They’ll start talking to their friends, “What time do you have?” they’ll ask, “Weren’t we supposed to be eating by now?”
Stay on task. When it’s time to start the program, start the program. If the Board Chair has 3 minutes to speak, ensure he speaks for three minutes.
4. Change the layout; change the experience
The loudest charity auctions I conduct are when guests are seated around a dinner table. The quietest auctions are those in which the guests are seated theater-style. If you are concerned about the sound level, consider having guests sit in a theater layout. This drops the sound level because guests cannot as easily converse.
So if you’ve got a loud auction, which area can you change to improve the experience? Try one … try them all … and report back to me so I know what made the biggest difference for you.
And for other suggestions on making YOUR charity auction the best it can be, don’t leave without your FREE “Benefit Auction Ideas” ezine and complementary Auction Item Guide, stuffed with the top 100 items I’m selling in auctions all over.
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