Wanna make more money in your silent auction? Re-read your descriptions. -Part 2
A common mistake in silent auctions is the failure to provide a clear, comprehensive description of the item for sale. Guests won’t bid the big bucks unless they know what they’re buying! Here is Part 2 of this series.
Congrats, you won the auction item! Will you bother redeeming it?
An article in the Chicago Business Journal catches charity auctioneer Sherry Truhlar’s eye. She muses over what percentage of winning bidders ever use the items they purchase.
Silent Auction idea: Wrap auction baskets with clear plastic wrap
Auction baskets in your silent auction are usually best displayed wrapped in a clear plastic. Here are some reasons why it’s worth the trouble.
Proof of silent auction ideas that work: Revisiting Printer’s Plates
Newspaper printer’s plates make for interesting silent auction items at your benefit auction fundraiser. Here’s an example of what they can look like.
Benefit auction ideas: Asking the artist to donate (Steve Haskamp shares his perspective on auction procurement.)
Benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar talks with an artist to get his opinion on benefit auction donations related to art.
“Julie & Julia” silent auction idea: Use a popular movie to add a twist on auction item descriptions
Using a popular movie title to attract attention on a silent auction item is a good trick.
Silent auction item idea: Photo Garage Doors
A German company is selling photos to cover your garage door. This could be a popular benefit auction item idea. It would certainly sell to someone!
Item Idea: The Lesser-Known Labs of the Smithsonian
Behind-the-scenes tours of any of the Smithsonian Museums would be a fun benefit auction item, but at least two Smithsonian labs (featured in this post) may offer a more fascinating experience for your guests.
Item Idea: Heavy Equipment Training School
While driving a different route home, Sherry saw some new activity on an old road, and it inspired a new benefit auction item idea. Procure this auction item for the men in your life who enjoyed playing with Tonka dump trucks and bulldozers as boys.
Seven tips to raise more money in a benefit auction cash appeal
In many benefit auctions, cash appeals have become the single largest revenue activity of the fundraiser. In this post, Sherry gives seven points to structuring a successful cash appeal.
