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 >
guests
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 >
What NOT to do when the auction winner doesn’t pay
At a benefit auction a few years ago, a woman in the back enthusiastically bid in the live auction. She enjoyed bidding a little too much. After buying the trip to Hawaii, her husband let her have it -- verbally. In tears she told my auction team member that she couldn’t buy it. “Ma’am,” my team member gently reminded her, “You’ve already bought it.” “Sell it again,” she cried, “He’ll divorce me if I take it home.” Has this happened to you? If not, you just haven’t run enough benefit ... Read On >