Anyone who has followed my trainings on how to properly conduct a benefit auction registration and checkout process knows my analogy of the hotel versus the grocery store. At your benefit auction, it's best to function like a hotel, swiping each guest's credit card before letting them enter your property (i.e. the silent auction). Operating like a hotel means that your charity auction team must use credit card terminals designed for an auction environment. Once those terminals are rented and ... Read On >
Blog Post
Silent auction ideas for fourth quarter auctions
One of the natural advantages of hosting a auction in the late fall (think October through December) is its proximity to Christmas. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, December marks a big month of gift giving for many people. Why not play on that natural cycle and use it to help sell your items? Here are some tips to make the most of the season. 1. Be blatant. Don’t try to hide anything. In your marketing literature, remind people that they should be on the look-out for gifts at ... Read On >
Video: Brand your fundraiser with a consistent gala auction theme
A few years ago I worked with an American Heart Association chapter located in a less populated area. Because of their size and budget differences, they approached their gala differently than the larger chapter I worked with in Washington, D.C. To conserve money on design and printing, they collaborated with two other regional AHA chapters. All three used the same gala theme each year in their respective locations. The marketing materials, forms, and even some decorative pieces of the ... Read On >
In 2 weeks! FREE training: How to ask for auction donations, money, and more
I've got a complementary training coming up that EVERYONE involved in your auction should attend. It's about learning how to ask. Imagine being so confident with the idea of asking for donations that your team was EAGER to pick up the phone, pound the pavement, or chat up strangers at a dinner party. Can you envision how would your auction change? You'd get a lot more quality donations, bigger cash gifts, and nicer sponsorships. That's exciting! Auctions begin with a confident ask. ... Read On >
Promoting your gala honoree to maximize your exposure
For some nonprofits, the date of the auction gala is determined after careful examination of a single individual’s calendar. This well-regarded person doesn’t (usually) work for the organization, yet still holds enormous influence over the timing of the nonprofit’s largest fundraising event. Dates are checked and re-checked. Venues are called and called again to confirm availability. Who is this VIP? He’s the gala honoree. (“He” can just as easily be a she, family or it, as in the case of ... Read On >