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 >
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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 >
VIDEO: A DISadvantage of large crowds at your nonprofit auction
When it comes to gala auctions, most of us generally think that "bigger is better." Often that is true. A larger guest count frequently suggests a positive trend, but it can adversely affect other areas of your gala. For instance, you might need to change benefit auctioneers. Watch the video below.P.S. For other nonprofit auction ideas, get great tips delivered to you by subscribing to Benefit Auction Ideas. It's free! ... Read On >
PODCAST: Benefit auction secrets – One DISadvantage of a large crowd
Just because your benefit auctioneer knows how to manage 250 people doesn't mean he’s ready to oversee your gala of 1,000 guests.His ego, enthusiasm, or lack of money in the bank might have him saying, "I can do this!"But his experience level might suggest that he needs to stick with smaller groups for a couple more years (or longer). If you move forward, you're taking a risk. In today's podcast, learn how to negotiate those risks.Listen to the podcast below. ... Read On >