School Auctions, Benefit Auctions, Charity Auctioneer

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Breaking the rules: This Martha’s Vineyard auction succeeds by doing things differently.

Two weeks ago I worked with a nonprofit in Massachusetts which has a fairly unique benefit auction model.Though they share some of the same overarching goals as many of my clients (e.g. fundraising, donor stewardship, community awareness, etc.), the event has a long history of doing some things differently.Here are a few elements that make this charity auction unusual.It's a low ticket price -- $25 per person Guests dress casually; some wore shorts. It's an afternoon affair. ... Read On >

Is your live auction “average?” (2015 by the numbers)

Two weeks ago while interviewing Lori Jacobwith about storytelling (Awesome call, by the way.  Use all of her tips in planning your next Fund a Need), I asked her if there was a "right" number of stories to include in a fundraising event.  Lori had a solid answer -- five.  She explained what each story should do and who should tell it.  (You can get details in our free call.) I commented that I often get a similar question -- "How many items should we sell in our live auction?" or "What's the ... Read On >

The most popular school auction item of 2015: Taylor Swift concert tickets

I’ve reviewed the results of the year.  Want to guess the most common school auction item from this past spring season? Tickets to Taylor Swift’s 1989 concert tour. Here’s what we can learn from this.When popular performers stage shows in your city, buying two or four seats to the show can become a popular live auction item. Here in the Washington, D.C. area, the rage was for Taylor. When she announced two July 2015 concerts for the D.C. area, the shows quickly sold out.    The advantage ... Read On >

An attractive display for a bad live auction item: Tiffany dishes

My clients procure some excellent live auction items.  Each year I whittle down my favorites and list them in my Auction Item Guide™.  (Speaking of which, the current guide, What Sold Like a Dream in 2014, will vamoose December 31.  Download your free copy before then.) But every so often, I have to sell an item that isn't strong by benefit auction standards.An oriental rug A trip to a luxurious resort in a dangerous country. A set of Oneida dishes.  With a dining room table. This ... Read On >

[VIDEO] Embarrassing your auction donor with a (too) high opening bid?

I recorded this video a few minutes after getting off the phone with a potential client. She and her committee weren't fond of their previous auctioneer. "She started with a high opening bid," she said.  "Too high.  And then in order to get anyone interested in bidding she had to drop it down.  Way down.  It was so embarrassing to our donor."The subject of where to start the opening bids on your live auction items can be a divisive topic. I've observed a discrepancy between what many auctioneers ... Read On >