One of the natural advantages of hosting a silent auction in the late fall (think October through December) is its proximity to December. December is the monster month when it comes to gift giving. Many of us are thinking about buying gifts for people we care about or considering buying small gifts to have on« Continue Reading »
Continue ReadingDecember 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Silent auction tips for November and December? Stick a bow on it.
December 3, 2012 By 2 Comments
The best gifts for volunteers chairing an auction are … flowers?!?
A few years ago I conducted a study among my clients. I asked a portion of my Auction Chairs how many hours she spent planning her auction. I wasn’t interested in the total hours of the committee. I only wanted to know her hours. In the final count, a mix of schools and nonprofits submitted« Continue Reading »
Continue ReadingNovember 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Auction sound systems are a must-have during your live auction; visuals aren’t … usually
When budgets are tight, a common question posed by clients is what audio-visual (A/V) equipment is essential for their live auction. “What can we live without?” they’ll query. Here’s my opinion: A good auction sound system is a must-have for your live auction. A large screen projecting visuals of the live auction items as the« Continue Reading »
Continue ReadingNovember 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Engage your school auction committee using videos you post on Pinterest
I recently wrote about 8 ways you can use Pinterest photos to get parents excited about your upcoming school auction. Here’s another step in how to use Pinterest, the social photo pinboard, with your school auction committee. First, let’s start with some “Pinteresting” facts compiled by comSCORE and reported in various media outlets, like Wall« Continue Reading »
Continue ReadingNovember 12, 2012 By 2 Comments
Spring auctions suck. Have a winter benefit auction instead.
My company has four auctions booked for Saturday, March 2, 2013. Last Friday, yet another school called asking if I had any auctioneers available on that date. “We thought we had one,” she shared, “but apparently we don’t. And here it is November and I’m calling for a March auction …” Her voice trailed off.« Continue Reading »
Continue ReadingNovember 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
What fall auctions SHOULD be selling in home decor silent auction sections
As a rule, home decor items don’t usually deliver a strong return-on-investment in your silent auction. But something magical happens around the holiday season when those items take on a holiday-theme. Here are some ideas to stuff in your stocking.
Continue ReadingOctober 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Auction class projects for holiday school benefit auctions
Some school benefit auctions – especially those schools with younger children – like to sell class projects at their gala. These projects are made by the students with careful supervision by either a committed parent or art teacher. If your gala is held in the November through December time period, talk with the supervising« Continue Reading »
Continue ReadingOctober 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Halloween-themed professional services to better your benefit auction revenues
Professional services are often one of the worst-selling silent auction items. Theme them to Halloween to garner greater return-on-investment in your benefit auction.UPDATE SEO — Recommend adding keyword to title and metadata “benefit auction revenues” which has a search value of 150,000. Also recommend deleting school auction ideas unless it’s referred to in the post.
Continue ReadingOctober 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A million-dollar idea for your auction donations
You don’t need a million ideas to make a million dollars. You need one good idea to make a million dollars. I love that phrase. I love it because it reminds me that I don’t need to do EVERYTHING I hear in order to have a successful business. One good idea … implemented well …« Continue Reading »
Continue ReadingOctober 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Getting items for charity auctions can be easier. Just listen
A couple of years ago I was on a Webinar advocating year-round auction procurement. The best gala chairs I know always have their “ear to the ground” when it comes to getting items for their auction. Here’s a recent example. Last week I was in Pennsylvania meeting with a few clients. Over dinner with one« Continue Reading »
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