Anybody know where this place is located?

If you’re wondering why some items in your silent auction just aren’t getting the bidding activity you expected, re-read your silent auction descriptions.

In almost every silent auction my team conducts, we are spending time researching the items to find out details.  Critical information will be missing from descriptions.  Until that information is known to the guests, they won’t bid.

Here are some tips on what seem to be common omissions.

In any metropolitan area, guests need to know the suburb, town, or general location of the business.

Washington, D.C. commuters have some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation.  You better believe we want to know *where* something is located before we buy!

Nobody wants to buy a $40 gift card only to find out the business is a 50-minute commute.  I might be interested in buying that gift certificate for bird seed from The Wren’s Nest, but only if I know *where* The Wren’s Nest is located.  Is it within 20 minutes of my home or office?  Great!  If it’s located 60 minutes away, I might still be interested in buying, but I’ll give it as a gift to my sister-in-law, who lives in that area.

Guests need to know if delivery is included.

"Our daughter would love that playhouse," your guest is thinking, "But my husband would never haul it to our house." No worries - delivery is INCLUDED!

This is most commonly heard when the item being sold is large, like a piano, playhouse, or holiday tree. And between school auctions and non-profit gala auctions, I hear it more often at school silent auctions where these large, more awkward types of items are more frequently donated.

If delivery is included — or is available for a modest fee — be sure to mention that in the description. Delivery could be the make-it-or-break-it reason as to why a guest bids.

Guests must understand if the business service is coming to them, or if they are going to the business service.

I might be interested in signing up for a massage session, but only if that massage is available to me in my home, or within a 10-minute drive of my home or office.  Outside of that, I’m not bidding.

So if the description says, “Jen Smith is a certified massage therapist,” but fails to tell me if Jen Smith is providing these services to me in my home or at her studio, I won’t bid.

Some services are vague.  Like what about those services with the home designer?  Am I taking my pillow cushions to her at her retail outlet, or is she coming to me?

And what about the seamstress who is going to create my one-of-a-kind fitted suit?  Am I going to her, or is she coming to me?  If she’s are coming to me, I’m likely ready to bid a little more.

Note:  This is one blog post in a series.

(c) 2005-2010 Red Apple Auctions, LLC

P.S. Like what you just read?  It’s ancient news.

This article was eons ago in my e-zine – Benefit Auction Ideas. Sign-up here to have ideas like this delivered straight to your in-box, twice a month.

A Beach Ball theme brings out the bright colors.

The official theme was “Beach Ball,” but the overall effect was definitely more on the “beach” and less on the “ball.”

When spring break isn’t quite here and winter has been around for what seems like eternity, everyone is eager to relive some of the summer fun enjoyed so many weeks before.  Sand, sun, and water may still be months away, but it’s nice to have a party that reminds us of the warm sunshine that is coming.

This school did a lovely job of brightening up a fellowship hall to make it festive and fun for guests.  Guests did their part by showing up in colorful beach-themed wear.  (No swimming suits were seen, but lots of flowered shirts.) 

Here are some of the theme elements at this auction which really stood out.

Maybe some of these will trigger ideas for your own event.

1.  The decor started outside

I loved how they found a lifeguard chair and put it outside the school.  I asked one of the auction co-chairs where on earth they’d found a lifeguard chair.  She wasn’t sure, but thought it came from one of the parents.  (It’s amazing what we keep in our garages, isn’t it?!)

The registration team is suited up, and ready for the crowd.

Upon entering through the glass doors, guests saw another display.  This one was of Adirondack chairs with a palm tree.

Carrying a theme through from beginning to end is what makes it special.  The earlier you can introduce the theme, the better.  Imagine the impact that would have been made if guests would have been picked up and escorted to the auction in a 1950 Dodge woodie station wagon .. the kind used by California surfers?  That would have caused a stir!

2.  The Registration Team Wore Costumes

Signage was put onto surfboards.

By the time our guests reached the registration table, they’d seen two decor elements and now — at check-in — they are being greeted by lifeguards.

I like how the uniforms make it easy for guests to identify someone who can help them.  It’s easier to see a red shirt with a lifeguard cross on it than it is to, say, see a namebadge.

3.  Signage had a beach theme

The colorful signage scattered throughout the venue was cut into the shape of surfboards.  This is a simple idea to incorporate into your auction.  All you need to do is decide upon an appropriate shape for your theme.

For more ideas, scroll down this blog post.

(c) 2005-2010 Red Apple Auctions LLC

P.S. Like what you’re seeing?  If so, you’ll love my free e-zine, Benefit Auction Ideas. Subscribe here.

The cabana was used to sell raffle tickets.

Swim up to the bar for drinks.

Colorful tablecloths brightened up the space.

These are easy centerpieces for anyone to make.

This decor piece was the first element guests saw upon entering through the double-doors.

This non-profit helps adults and children, but they used a key slide to focus on the "kids" portion of their program.

To read Part 1 on “Using Kids to Raise Cash,” click here,

Over the past few months, I’ve offered several tips on how to manage your charity auction in a bad economy.

You can use all kinds of techniques to ensure your auction revenues remain strong in a bad economy, but one solid strategy of raising money – regardless of the economy – is to show guests how their donation impacts children.

Children (and animals, to a large degree) seem to have a universal appeal and you can tap into that at your auction gala. 

Many organizations benefit kids in one way, shape, or fashion, so if you have an angle that you can incorporate into your event, consider doing so.  Even when the children aren’t attending your benefit auction, you can still successfully incorporate them into the fundraising plan.

This post covers two strategies:

3.  Let a Powerpoint slide tell the story

In a ballroom, Powerpoint slides can provide imagery.  At this gala raising money for heart-related causes, a child’s photo was displayed with the text, “Nora Grace’s heart was mended by Dr. Bill Hammill, and she hasn’t stopped dancing since.”

Plus side: Easy to create. One slide can be broadcast on multiple screens so everyone can see.

Negative side: Unless a speaker specifically refers to the slide, guests might never bother to read it.

4.  Reach out and call (or text) someone

Guests were encouraged to text scholarship recipients while dining.

This idea incorporates older kids into your gala.  Granted, these kids might have outgrown their “cuteness factor,” but they have the added advantage of being able to thank donors with an added degree of articulation!

One fundraising auction was raising money for college scholarships.  As you can see in the photo, each table had a table tent listing a student’s name, general information, and his or her telephone number (I’ve blocked out the phone number in this photo). Over dinner, guests were encouraged to text or call the student to chat and say, “Congratulations on your scholarship!”

Plus side:  It’s as high-touch as you can get without having the recipient attend the event.  It brings a donor directly into contact with the recipient of their donation.  I love that!

Negative side: Coordinate in advance. Recipients need to know they could be called. Not all recipients will be choice candidates to speak with a donor.

Kids can make a splash at your event — and help you raise dollars! — even when they aren’t physically present.  Use these ideas to get to your donor’s heartstrings.

©2005 – 2010 Red Apple Auctions LLC

P.S. As great as this information is, it’s old news.  I shared these ideas months ago with readers of my FREE e-zine, Benefit Auction Ideas.  Subscribe here.

Using posters in the reception area is a simple way to remind guests as to where their donations are going.

Over the last few months, I’ve offered tips on how to manage your auction in a bad economy, including blog posts such as The One Thing to NEVER Say on Stage at Your Benefit Auction (a popular one!) and Recessions Are a Time To Step Up Your Game.

You can use all kinds of techniques to ensure your auction revenues remain strong in a bad economy, but one solid strategy of raising money – regardless of the economy – is to show guests how their donation impacts children.

Children (and animals, to a large degree) seem to have a universal appeal and you can tap into that at your auction gala. 

Many organizations benefit kids in one way, shape, or fashion, so if you have an angle that you can incorporate into your event, consider doing so.  Even when the children aren’t attending your benefit auction, you can still successfully incorporate them into the fundraising plan.

This post covers two strategies:

1.  Signage stationed around the silent auction

At a school auction with a western theme, "WANTED" posters showcased the kids.

The most common way to showcase how your organization is helping children is to incorporate photos of the children into displays. Those might be on foam core displays (as shown in the opening photo) or in something more multi-dimensional, as I saw once at a homeless shelter auction.

Plus side:  Easy to do. Signs are reusable for other events.

Negative side:  Not as eye-catching; easy to gloss over in the hustle of the silent auction

2.  Incorporate images into the decor

If your gala has a theme, one way to make the signage stand out is to create a visually appealing display around it.

The WANTED posters were around the venue on several walls.

For instance, at this school auction with a western theme, several walls were set up around the silent auction and registration areas.  The walls had all of the children’s photos on them, and each child had been photographed in western gear.  A volunteer had taken the time to write cute phrases for each child such as, “The Masked Bandit:  Last seen in the valley,” or “WANTED:  For cactus wranglin’.”

Because it was clever, many guests visited all of the walls (not just the ones with their child on it) to admire the creativity of the project.

Plus side: Adds to the decor. Helps reinforce the “why are we raising money” message.

Negative side: Takes more upfront time to create the individual shots.

To read more ideas on using kids to raise cash at your auction, click here.

(c) 2005-2010 Red Apple Auctions LLC

P.S.  As great as these ideas are, they’re old news. I published this article months ago in my Benefit Auction Ideas e-zine.  It’s free, and it’s published twice a month.  Sign up here.

Are you ready to rumble?

BRRMM.  BRRRRRRMMMM.

I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the Heavy Equipment Training Academy as I was driving through Washington, D.C. yesterday.

For those of you recent blog readers who are wondering what in the heck I’m talking about, let me fill you in.  A few weeks ago, I suggested a new benefit auction idea … you can read about my auction procurement suggestion of a bulldozer training lesson here. What a fun item for men and adventurous women attending your auction fundraiser.  I think it’s a really nice idea for a school auction.

During my drive, I paid better attention and noticed that the Academy is adjacent and across the street from an elementary school.  I bet the boys at the school love to watch the equipment operators at work during recess.

The Academy is next to a school.

I know that my brother loved to play with his Tonka trucks in the sandbox as a kid.  And, because my Dad was involved in operating some of those pieces of equipment through his business, my brother’s friends thought Dad was the bomb.

(c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC

Yee haw! During the silent auction at this school auction, guests got to ride a mechanical bull.

I’d not seen this entertainment activity at any of our other benefit auctions.

This private school auction had a western-themed auction fundraiser. To add to the ambiance, they brought in a mechanical bull for guests to ride during the silent auction period of the evening.

Although guests were wary at first, they eventually warmed to the idea and gave it a try.

The bull was positioned in the middle of an inflatable “ring.” It resembled an inflatable swimming pool for small children. When the guest was thrown off the bull (some sooner than others), he or she had a comfortable (relatively-speaking) landing.

The mechanical bull activity was easily set-up and tore-down by the entertainment company.

Because this was a western theme, guests were encouraged to dress the part. Most guests wore jeans, which was conducive to the activity of bull-riding. Men favored the activity over women, although I did see at least one woman give it a shot.

The school auction itself was held in the school auditorium. The bull was set-up in the center, on the side of the auditorium, near the bleachers. Although guests did stop shopping in the silent auction to watch the riders, it wasn’t a noticeable distraction to the silent auction itself. Most people would watch one or two guests ride, and then they’d move on, drifting back to the silent auction or bar.

The rules of riding the bull are posted outside the ring.

During the live auction, when we asked guests to sit in the bleachers, the inflatable ring was deflated so guests could easily walk to that section of the wall.  Here’s a better photo of the crowd.

If you’re conducting a western-themed event and guests will be wearing casual clothing, consider talking to an entertainment company about renting a mechanical bull.  It was a fun addition.

(c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC

Simple, inexpensive ideas like bracelets and badges let you visually track raffle sales among guests.

Do your guests and your volunteers a favor.  Each guest who buys a raffle ticket should be given a visual identifier to alert others that he’s purchased.

This avoids the common annoyance to guests: multiple people approaching to sell raffle tickets.

Assume you have three teams of volunteers roaming the crowd to sell raffle tickets for a diamond bracelet. Team #1 approaches Mr. Smith and sells him two tickets.

Within minutes, Team #2 approaches him.  “I just bought tickets,” he says.  Is he fibbing? Team #2 isn’t sure, but they move on through the silent auction.

Team #3 catches Mr. Smith at the bar.  They ask him if he wants to buy raffle tickets.  “I’ve already bought two tickets,” he sputters.  Team #3 is surprised at how grouchy he is.  After all, this is a gala, right?

How many times will Mr. Smith be asked to buy raffle tickets?  And how much time is wasted by Team #2 and Team #3 who keep approaching guests who have already bought tickets?

Visual identifiers serve three purposes:

1. Your guest will not become annoyed from being asked multiple times if he will buy a ticket.

2. Your volunteers know who has purchased a raffle ticket and who hasn’t.  They can focus on making new sales.

3. The visual identifier serves as a simple marketing tool to alert other guests about the presence of a raffle.

There are many inexpensive visual tools you can use:

* Blink-y lights in necklace, pin, or ring form
* Paper bracelets, similar to those used at large outdoor festivals or bars
* Cloth bracelets
* Metal pins
* Hawaiian leis
* Flower boutonnieres
* Plastic necklaces
* Stickers (They come in a multitude of shapes and colors to fit many themes.)

This is a low-cost, simple trick which will work wonders through greater productivity from your raffle volunteers, better sales from your raffle, and guests in a better mood.

(c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC