I love dogs and I live in one of the United States' friendliest dog towns (Alexandria, VA). There are lots of dog lovers in this part of the world, and I usually sell one or two donated puppies each year as part of a live auction fundraiser. Selling a puppy in a live auction is certainly memorable and profitable. Here in Washington, D.C., the puppy can bring $2000 to $5000 per sale. Most bidders respond to the animal positively and are eager to pet the little guy while inquiring about its age, ... Read On >
Administration
12 ways to market your auction fundraiser using social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
Social media applications like blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can be useful tools in helping you achieve mindshare in your auction guests. Not only are these tools free to use, but they enable you to relay short, constant reminders about your cause and auction fundraiser. Creating "something to write" can be overwhelming for some, so here are 12 auction-related ideas on what you (or your public relations volunteer) can post on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or other social networking ... Read On >
Charity auction ideas from the unlikely source of fashion designer Henri Bendel
The September/October issue of Arrive magazine from Amtrak has an article called Fashion's Makeover (page 34) by Michele Meyer. The article is about how the fashion industry has changed in light of the economic slump. Meyer proposes that to survive in this new climate, apparel designers and merchants must rely on instinct, innovation, exclusivity, and the Internet. Sounds like there's some advice in here that charity auction committees would also be smart to follow. Let's dig deeper. In the ... Read On >
Charity Auction Tips to Conquer a Loud 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. Or, "Our crowd likes to party." Pardon the expression, but to that I'll respond in a common phrase my Dad uses: "Well no shit, Sherlock." Your guests view the charity auction as a party. Good parties tend to be loud. For your guests, charity auctions are celebratory events. A portion of them ... Read On >
Four places in your charity auction that you SHOULD invest
On the heels of my post "Where to cut costs in your benefit auction," here is a post on where to invest. Whether you are a volunteer Gala Chair or a paid Special Events Manager, you want your charity auction to be a financial success. Let's look at some smart investments. 1. Invest your time upfront in placing volunteers into appropriate roles where they can shine. Not all volunteers are created equal. To ensure fewer headaches later, make an effort early in the process to get to know your ... Read On >