When it comes to benefit auctions, some think bigger crowds are always better. Perhaps. But there is one distinct DISadvantage of a larger crowd -- it's harder to find a good benefit auctioneer. When you're interviewing auctioneers, find out how many events he or she has overseen with your same guest count. In other words, if you have 400 attendees, ask how many galas he or she is running in that size. Just because an auctioneer has the personality to work an event of 200 guests does not mean ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
Everyone’s FAVORITE color on the silent auction tables
My post this week is about your silent auction tables and the BEST color to put on them. It seems to be everyone's favorite color. And it's a perfect time for me to share this insight, as next week is Valentine's Day, which is a popular holiday for the giving of jewelry. (This will all make sense in one moment!) Have you heard this phrase? - "People will find the bar on the 5th floor of a 2-story building." My observation is that after finding the bar at your gala (and munching on an ... Read On >
Silent auction tips to use THIS weekend for NEXT week’s Valentine’s Day
One of the school auctions I worked this past Saturday has always done a nice job of sticky-note marketing in their silent auction. I should clarify that "sticky-note marketing" is what I call it. I doubt it's a real marketing term. I use it to refer to the practice of putting notes onto silent auction items to remind guests of why they should buy it. The notes are simple silent auction tips, but they work! Here's why: It's similar to putting a sticky-note on a document; you're calling ... Read On >
Nonprofit silent auction items that go up in smoke (positively)
Smoking is one of those habits many wish to break. Unless you're part of a spiritual community that bans it at your gala, hit "print" and use this article to make money on that vice. Cigars sell. You might not like smoking. You might like pipes but not cigars. You might smoke cigarettes, but hate cigar smoke. It matters not. Unless you're the big spender procuring and buying ALL of the items at your gala, check any righteous attitude you hold. Do what's best for the cause -- procure some ... Read On >
4 steps to find your 501(c)(3) number for the school auction donation letter
This question surfaces once or twice a year. Volunteers working on school auctions seem to ask me the most often. A parent tasked with getting donations for the school gala becomes concerned about whether she should be including the school's PTA tax ID number on the school auction donation letter and other relevant forms. It's easy to understand her concern. We've been warned about putting our birth date on Facebook and cautioned against using our social security number as a computer ... Read On >