Here's a benefit auction item idea that will prove popular at your gala: the opportunity to dine at the chef's table in a restaurant. What is the chef's table? Not every restaurant has one, but a chef's table is a table situated within the kitchen of the restaurant. As with real estate, what makes this table unique is the location, the location, the location. By virtue of where it sits (in the kitchen), the table allows the guests to see how their food is being prepared, observe ... Read On >
Tips to Conquer a Loud Auction Crowd
When I visit with some organizations about their auction fundraiser, they insist that their charity auction crowd is unusually loud. "Sherry, we can't ever get them to pay attention," one will say, "Our crowd likes to party." Pardon the expression, but I'll respond in a common phrase my Dad uses: "No shit, Sherlock." Your guests view a charity auction as a party. Good parties tend to be loud. For your guests, charity auctions are celebratory events. A portion of them may see it as a ... Read On >
How to rewrite your auction donation request letter
In her recent post Attention Getting Strategies for Fundraising Letters, Sandra Sims of Step By Step Fundraising had some good pointers for writing fundraising letters. When I think of a fundraising letter, I specifically think of an auction donation request letter ... but what would you expect from a benefit auctioneer? Sandra suggests five opening strategies: Use a Headline Attention Getting Words or Phrases Questions Bold Statements & Exclamations Narratives & True ... Read On >
Creative non-floral auction centerpieces from Robin Hood Foundation
I cut this out of the Wall Street Journal (I think it was WSJ). It was a story about the Robin Hood Foundation's 2009 auction fundraiser. I saved it because of the auction centerpieces. What in the devil IS it? Can anyone tell me? (For you centerpiece lovers, see the related posts at the bottom of this page to read other posts on auction centerpieces.) I can't quite make out the details. It appears the centerpiece had some sort of skyscraper "skyscape" theme, perhaps representing the location ... Read On >
Winning big ticket items comes naturally to auction team member Julie
Earlier this year, auction team member Iris guest posed in my blog. Today, meet Julie. If you’ve ever spoken to Julie at one of our auctions, you know she’s got a wicked sense of humor! What you might not know is that she is a master at winning sweepstakes. Julie regularly wins stuff. Great stuff. I suggested she write about her expertise, as some of you might be intrigued. Maybe Julie is onto an unconventional auction procurement process here. ;) +++++ Does anyone ever win those ... Read On >