UPDATE 12/5/09 After I posted the original blog (scroll down), Maria wrote me this email: On behalf of our auction team, I wanted to thank you for meeting with us last night. We enjoyed your talk on procurement and we are fired up and ready to go after your ideas. This morning we got the PTA Chairs to approve the software agreement. I believe we can pay the full cost of the software with sponsorships. Well, as of this morning we have two more sponsors for our auction webpage. I didn’t even ... Read On >
silent auction
PODCAST: Portrait photography at an auction fundraiser
A few galas each year will incorporate portrait photography into the auction fundraiser.Of the many types of entertainment you could incorporate into your event, this is a good one. It's especially well-suited for groups whose guests tend to work together. In this podcast, hear four reasons why it could work well at your next gala. Listen to the podcast below. ... Read On >
Why portrait photography works at an auction fundraiser
Three of my galas this past year have had professional portraits offered on-site. The photo offers guests a remembrance of your auction fundraiser. Portrait photography works especially well for an auction gala which has co-workers attending, such as corporate and hospital foundations. Guests look spiffy, so the photos show employees in their best light (all the better, considering those photos may show up on the company intranet). Portrait photography works for four reasons. The ... Read On >
Silent auction item or live: Where to sell it?
In my consultations with clients, I'm often asked for my opinion about items. "Should we include this airfare?" "Will we make more money if we package THESE together, or THOSE together?" "How should we promote this?" If the gala only has a silent auction, I'm never asked whether an item belongs in the silent auction or live auction - there's no choice! But if the gala includes both components, the "silent versus live" debate surfaces. In this post, I want to discuss how an auction item ... Read On >
PODCAST: Photography’s silent auction item gets updated into a family photo party
It's not uncommon to have a photography donation in your silent auction. Oftentimes it's a sitting and an 8" X 10" print. Despite nice displays showcasing the photographer's work, these items are rarely commanding their value.In this podcast, learn about a new silent auction item that could replace this generous (but a little tired) donation. I generated the concept after reading a photographer's blog post.Listen to the podcast below. ... Read On >