Here's a quick tip on how to improve your auction item displays when you're offering a trip in either the silent or live auction.Use a photo book in your display. "Photo book" is the name I give to books (and I use the term "books" loosely) which feature photos of the inside of the property, outside of the property, and activities to do in the area.Think of it as a handmade version of a traditional coffee table picture book.Sometimes these books are a few pieces of paper stapled ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
The swear words of estate auctioneering
In the summer 2016 when my team was rebuilding my website, I didn't post blogs here but I did post on Linkedin.This post was originally published on LinkedIn.=======================The auctioneering profession is a small community.Longtime readers might recall me sharing information comparing the number of auctioneers in the USA (10,034) to those of other professions, such as funeral directors (23,648) and attorneys (302,603). Because there are so few auctioneers, they tend to be ... Read On >
Best ballroom layout for an auction with dance floor
Many nonprofits end their benefit auctions with dancing from either a DJ or a live band.Traditionally there are two standard layouts for this type of event, and both are poor.The dance floor becomes the area from which the auctioneer works. The auctioneer is on a stage and a huge dance floor (a feature which isn't used but for the last 90 minutes of the event!) is positioned in a top location, directly in front of the stage.Neither of these options works because neither set-up ... Read On >
Unique fundraising auction venue: car dealership
Earlier this month I headed to Florida to again work with a Boys & Girls Club whose fundraising auction venue is a local car dealership.Clearly this dealership is a good partner of the nonprofit, greatly inconveniencing itself to transform its space -- sales floor, customer waiting area, service bay and lanes -- into a festive venue to host a sit-down dinner for just under 200 guests.Attendees begin the evening with a reception and silent auction in the service bay and customer ... Read On >
Five best free stock photography sites for live & silent auction displays
Last week I wrote about being busted by the photo police for illegally using a photograph on my website.A portion of that blog was devoted to sharing sites whereby auction planners could secure free stock photography for live and silent auction displays.To make it easier to find the sites, I've re-posted the list below.=============================== Here are my 5 best free stock photography sites for gala auction planners. This is where you can secure legal images to use in your ... Read On >