This I know ... If you are able to get people to watch your virtual gala, you'll raise money. The challenge for all of us these days is that our hours are filled with multiple distractions. It can be harder to get your guests focused on logging in and attending. I myself have been an organizational mess the last few months. I've forgotten meetings. I've double-booked myself. I shown up in Zoom when it was a teleconference meeting. I can only imagine what a wreck I'd be if ... Read On >
guests
Three times guests will try to pull a fast one on you, and what to say when it happens
At some point a guest at your gala will try to pull a fast one on you or me. I like to believe that the guest is being honest. After all, this is a fundraising auction; most people are filled with good will. But sometimes, stuff happens. Maybe they really didn't bid. They were just waving their bid paddle to get the attention of a friend across the room. Maybe they really did want to donate in the paddle raiser, but a column blocked them from view. Maybe they really did think ... Read On >
The archetypes of live auction bidders
Since starting my company over a decade ago, I've observed several types of bidders. In this post, I'm describing my live auction bidder archetypes. These are a tad tongue-in-cheek. Even so, I suspect you'll recognize some of your guests from among these descriptions. (I'll zero in on some archetypes in upcoming posts.) Remember that most guests at your gala are not going to participate in the live auction. Usually just 10% to 20% of your crowd is active in the live auction; the ... Read On >
Untapped supporters: Getting people to attend your event
When it comes to getting people to attend your event, the tactics run wild. You might have tried to "steal" guests via the cold-invitation approach. One of my clients poured through the benefit auction catalogs of nearby charities, made note that so-and-so supported THAT event, and then sent them an invitation to their own gala. It was effective. Remarkably, the nonprofit's highest silent auction spender that year came from sending the woman a "blind" invitation. I seem to recall she even ... 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 >