Welcome to wine week! Every post this week ties to alcohol. Here's the post explaining why. A few benefit auctions I conduct each year aren't known as wine auctions, but they have such a stellar collection of wine available that the lots could easily be sold in a wine auction and fit right in. This Los Angeles, CA gala is one such event. In fact, the ~300 guests aren't just treated to great wine lots in the auction, but they get to enjoy exquisite wines in several ways throughout the evening. ... Read On >
descriptions
Which sells better? Two different descriptions from identical auction packages
An identical item was sold in two different D.C. charity auctions in different years. Of the two item description examples, which do you prefer? (I changed the donor's name.) ================== Don’t Fake It, Make It Private cooking class for 10 at the acclaimed ABC Cooking School You and 9 guests will be guided by your chef instructor in creating a fabulous three-course meal. From 'Classic French Cuisine' to "Sushi' and 'Summertime Smoking and Barbecue,' the reward is yours when you sit ... Read On >
Ban catchy titles in your silent auction displays
Years ago, when I was new to D.C. and searching for a job, my friend (a human resources professional) and I hysterically laughed as we took turns verbally reading job descriptions in The Washington Post. We'd substitute the language of the job posting with what we believed was the true intention of the post. In other words, we did this:Job description language What that really meansSeeking dedicated employee = expect to stay many late nightsCreative work ... Read On >
How to write your silent auction descriptions to make more money – Part 2
This is Part 2 of a 2-part series examining how missing information on silent auction descriptions costs you donations. Read Part 1 here.My floor team are outstanding sales support in any auction. They find an item and work it until it has bids or they've sold it outright to a guest.But if a silent auction description is lacking key information, my sales reps must leave their post to find someone in the marketing department who knows about this item and can provide the missing ... Read On >
How to write your silent auction descriptions to make more money – Part 1
This is Part 1 of a 2-part blog on writing silent auction descriptions. Part 2 is here.===================If you're wondering why some items in your silent auction just aren't getting the bidding activity you expected, re-read your silent auction descriptions.In almost every silent auction my company attends, we spend some time researching items to find out details. Critical information is often missing. Until that information is known to the guests, they won't bid.Here are ... Read On >