Golf tournaments have no shortage of fun add-ons. Chipping contests, best dressed team photos, and other activities are designed to involve players and/or raise money. If your tournament has an auction, you can incorporate more games, raffles, and activities. Collectively I call these add-ons “bells and whistles." There are many reasons to use them. One reason is to attract publicity. And here's how to get publicity for a charity event. Many groups are good at securing post tournament ... Read On >
Games
Groundhog Day Blasé: 5 benefit auction ideas to update tired galas
It's the perfect time of year to talk about some benefit auction ideas to combat what I call "Groundhog Day Blasé." This Wednesday, many weather-casters will give a nod to Punxsutawney Phil -- a groundhog (aka "woodchuck") --living in Punxsutawney, PA. They will comment on whether the critter has seen his shadow, thereby predicting six more weeks of winter. One of my favorite movies showcases this annual weather festival. The 1993 Groundhog Day is a comedy in which the lead character Phil ... Read On >
Using auction games to motivate volunteers
Got problems getting auction volunteers energized to do what is needed to be done? Here’s one tip: Give volunteers something new and creative to learn which also solves a problem your auction is experiencing. Volunteers will remain engaged if they believe the solution you are sharing is 1) fun and 2) will solve the problem. When it’s fun to solve the problem, volunteers will do it. I’ve written before about Volkswagen’s “The Fun Theory” project. The group conducted tests to see if they ... Read On >
How auction games will get you publicity
I refer to auction games, raffles, and activities as the “bells and whistles” of benefit auctions. It's an understatement to call them revenue generators as they do more than make you money. These are the fun add-ons designed to address specific problems, involve the crowd, trigger fun, attract press, and (yes) make you money. Today’s post addresses the “attract press” piece. Many groups seem decent at securing post-gala publicity, but it's the pre-event recognition that will help you ... Read On >
Making your gala fun with auction games
I’ve said it, and I’ve heard others say it: Charity auctions should emphasize the mission of the nonprofit. Maybe part of the program is devoted to telling the nonprofit’s story. Maybe every live or silent auction item sold has a tie to the mission. Maybe the benefit auctioneer inserts one-liners like, “Remember, .90 cents of every dollar you donate feeds the homeless.” I agree with a mission-focus. But galas also need to be fun. It's rewarding to hear about improved health ... Read On >