Let me preface this subject with two quick stories. Story #1 While flying back from Eugene, OR, after last weekend's auction, I had lots of time to watch some movies, including Life Itself. The movie is a documentary about Roger Ebert, the Chicago Sun-Times' film critic who recently died of cancer. Ebert shared an amusing story about the challenge of being a movie critic. At work, he sat next to a gentleman who reviewed other arts. Co-workers would come up to his colleague and ask, ... Read On >
fund a need
Can you cancel the silent auction for a Fund a Need auction instead?
I was speaking in Topeka, KS, about two weeks ago. I mentioned that some participants might want to eliminate their silent auctions and instead offer a well-orchestrated Fund a Need auction. I wasn't kidding. Well-orchestrated Fund a Needs surpass the silent auction revenue at a number of my clients' galas. ++++++++++++++++++++ (CAVEAT: It needs to be the right type of Fund a Need, well-orchestrated, and aggressively marketed. Learn all you need to know with my uber-popular DVD, Fabulous ... Read On >
5 ways to keep your benefit auction’s sex appeal
February is synonymous with Valentine's Day, so this month I've committed to writing every blog post with a tie-in to love, romance, sex and even lust. We've covered auctioneer one-night stands, training your auction volunteers to flirt in the silent auction, and showing the love to your guests. Today, it's about sex appeal. (You know, keeping your benefit auction fresh and attractive.) +++++ Has your gala auction lost its sex appeal? Earlier this month I talked with a long-time auction ... Read On >
VIDEO: The one thing to NEVER say on stage at your auction
When it comes to benefit auction ideas, sometimes the simplest tips are worth thousands of dollars. This is one. Experience has taught me to never, ever say or reference this when you're on stage at the auction. Watch the video below. What else should -- or shouldn't -- be said when you're on stage? Well, if you're running a Fund a Need at your gala, there is an art and a science to it. It's a process unto itself, often replete with videos, speakers, someone "asking" for the ... Read On >
VIDEO: Seven tips to raise more money in a fund a need
A cash appeal (also called a fund a need, mission moment, and other names) can be an easy way to raise dollars at most fundraising auctions. But there is a process to follow. To get started, use these seven fund a need ideas to ensure you cover the basics of this lucrative gala element. Watch the video below. And now that you've got "the basics" down, what about the rest? Like examples of great videos that have been used as introductions prior to the Fund a Need ... sample ... Read On >