Last month my brother sent me a link to Seth Godin's blog. Seth had written an article about charity auctions and announced a new auction software platform he was testing. Seth's desire to create some software for the nonprofit industry stemmed from observing under-performing charity auctions. In his opinion, guests expect to score a deal on their purchases, and that's the exact opposite of what charities want guests to do. To shift the auction into one with more generosity built into it, ... Read On >
About Sherry Truhlar
The hot new auction game show: “Spot the Bidders!”
Alright Auction Planners, it's time for "Spot the Bidders," the new game show that puts YOU in the auctioneer seat! In this 1-minute video, can you find the bidders in the crowd? Nonprofit revenues depend on it, and a well-designed bid paddle and large bid number are two critical components for success. Post how many bid paddles you find (before I reveal them to you at the end of the video) by leaving a comment. https://youtu.be/GwghaC0dkmg ... Read On >
The impact of age on gala start times
Some galas attract an older guest base, while events like primary school auctions skew the opposite direction, attracting a young donor base. Consider this when deciding your opening time and overall program/schedule. As I work different events, I've noticed that retired Seniors arrive and leave events early. So if your cause attracts many guests in that demographic, opening your doors earlier than other galas in your city might be a smart move. Additionally, I'd recommend scheduling the ... Read On >
Hey Gala Chairs: Here’s asking advice from a real Gala Chair
Some people are intimidated about asking for items for their auction. After this past weekend's auction, several of us went out to dinner. (The auction was an afternoon event, so the day was still young for an evening meal.) I sat next to the Gala Chair, who does a great job with procurement, and visited with her about how she likes to ask for items. In the video, you'll hear a couple of nuggets she shared with me. https://youtu.be/5jd_JnuiV2k ... Read On >
4 reasons you need live auction displays
I'm always surprised by the number of fundraising auction committees who go to great lengths setting up displays for silent auction items, but then fail to see the importance of setting up a live auction display. I encourage teams to apply their effort towards auction activities that garner the highest returns. Most times, your live auction items will far outsell any silent auction items, so set-up the displays accordingly. Give extra attention to how your live auction items will be ... Read On >