We're headed back to the ballroom in 2022. My clients are planning in-person galas for next year, but that doesn't mean they have stopped considering the impact of COVID-19. Instead, they are making adjustments to manage concerns from guests. Overall, there's a strong desire to host the event in-person. I’m seeing adjustments being made to the live auction, silent auction, entertainment, and venue layout. I don't know that I'd call these auction trends because I suspect some of these ... Read On >
Live Auctions
What to sell at your association gala auction
If you work for an association, your live auction will have a few different items in it than a standard nonprofit auction. In this video, I give examples for four types of associations I've supported and examples of auction items to sell. Industry trade associations for businesses Associations with regional chapters or affiliations Associations for professionals to join, such as structural engineers or cosmetology Associations for individuals interested in a particular hobby, ... Read On >
The case for good auction item descriptions (EG: Far Niente wine)
I like to be prepared for my fundraising auctions, as I know it matters in different ways to the donor, the nonprofit, and the guests. In this video, I share a recent example of how the printed description of a donation (a vertical of Far Niente wine) didn't seem to match the label of the wine. The last thing I wanted to do was screw up the description of the 5-bottle donation. It's pricey, and the donation even included a unicorn 2016 vintage. Furthermore, about 300 C-level people would ... Read On >
The bidder in your ballroom: The 9 archetypes of live auction bidders
Since starting my company 15+ years ago, I’ve observed several types of bidders. Here's the archetypes of the guests I see bidding in your live auction. You'll learn how to identify each archetype and better understand their motivations from this video. I’ve no doubt you’ll immediately recognize some of your donors from among these descriptions. Archetype: Buyers Archetype: IITWI (“In it to win it”) Archetype: Sympathizer Archetype: Starter Archetype: Helper ... Read On >
My prediction: This COVID19-style donation is here to stay
This past weekend I worked two galas -- one was a 2-screen solution for a school, and the other was a Zoom meeting-style gala for a conservation nonprofit. The nonprofit had some star power. Two of the attendees are legitimate Hollywood celebrities whom many would recognize if not by name, then by face. They and some of their celebrity friends donated virtual activities to the auction. These items raised several thousand dollars for the nonprofit. But I have to admit - it was a little ... Read On >