In a search for some new Washington DC auction venues, last TuesdayI headed into the District to check out the open house offered by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. I've been to Woolly Mammoth before, but under different pretenses. As recently as six months ago I was in that same space, but I was attending as a patron of the arts. I hadn't paid attention to critiquing the space as a potential venue for an auction because - like any good theater-lover - I was focused on the production itself ... Read On >
How to write your silent auction descriptions to make more money – Part 1
This is Part 1 of a 2-part blog on writing silent auction descriptions. Part 2 is here. =================== 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 company attends, we spend some time researching items to find out details. Critical information is often missing. Until that information is known to the guests, they won't bid. Here are ... Read On >
She’s got a feeling (and it came from the school auction)
This past week I learned that one of my clients is a fellow blogger. A witty blogger. And she's letting me re-post one of her clever posts here. But first, here's the back story. In 2008, I worked with Christ Church School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For the first time, they broke the 6-figure mark in their auction returns. After that gala, Shayna Altman-Neal, the Auction Co-Chair, wrote: Our event was awesome! We feel the night was incredible. We surpassed our goals, and set a new ... Read On >
Three free phone resources every Auction Chair should use
Benefit auction ideas don't always need to be about items and games! Here are three productivity tools to help stressed out Auction Chairs more easily plan the auction. 1. Free conference calls - No Cost Conference Your Auction Committee needs to regularly touch base. Use this free service to chat it up. No Cost Conference has successfully managed my teleclasses with hundreds of people on the line, so I know it will work for your 5, 10, or 15 person committee. One of the nice capabilities ... Read On >
Fundraising auction tips for selling art – Part 2
(This is part 2 of a two-part post discussing fundraising auction tips for selling art in a gala auction.) Last week I talked about why you should avoid selling traditional art. I gave tips and I'm adding to it this week with three additional ideas. 3. Keep art politically "neutral." In 2009 at a more liberal school auction, I sold a signed print of Frank Shepard Fairey's iconic HOPE poster for $2500. It was so popular, I was able to sell it three times, earning the school $7500. Just 30 ... Read On >