When budgets are tight, a common question posed by clients is what audio-visual (A/V) equipment is essential for their live auction. "What can we live without?” they’ll query. Here's my opinion: A good auction sound system is a must-have for your live auction. A large screen projecting visuals of the live auction items as the auctioneer sells them is a nice-to-have. Audio is critical for a charity auction. Guests won't bid unless they can understand the numbers being called by the ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
Engage your school auction committee using videos you post on Pinterest
I recently wrote about 8 ways you can use Pinterest photos to get parents excited about your upcoming school auction. Here's another step in how to use Pinterest, the social photo pinboard, with your school auction committee. First, let's start with some “Pinteresting” facts compiled by comSCORE and reported in various media outlets, like Wall Street Journal. 68% of Pinterest users are women 50% of Pinterest users have children Almost 50% of users are 25 to 44 years old Overall, the ... Read On >
Spring auctions suck. Have a winter benefit auction instead.
My company has four auctions booked for Saturday, March 2, 2013. Last Friday, yet another school called asking if I had any auctioneers available on that date. "We thought we had one," she shared, "but apparently we don't. And here it is November and I'm calling for a March auction ..." Her voice trailed off. Yeah, she knew she was in trouble. By my count of bookings and schools I've already declined, that is 9 Washington D.C.-area schools that *I* know of competing for donations for March ... Read On >
What fall auctions SHOULD be selling in home decor silent auction sections
You may not realize it, but if you're holding your charity auction in October, November or December, you have two natural advantages over those galas held in the spring. 1. Holiday spirit Of all the United States' widely celebrated holidays, Americans seem to get most enthused about decorating their home for Halloween and Christmas. How convenient for you that both of these holidays are in the fall! For your autumnal or winter auction, be sure to include some home decorations tied to these ... Read On >
Auction class projects for holiday school benefit auctions
Some school benefit auctions – especially those schools with younger children – like to sell class projects at their gala. These projects are made by the students with careful supervision by either a committed parent or art teacher. If your gala is held in the November through December time period, talk with the supervising adult now to suggest that any auction class projects take on a holiday angle. Testing out some winter-y inspired items can add a nice mix to your existing items. Here are ... Read On >