My master class in procurement (Big Ticket Procurement Secrets) launched last week. We started the 3-week intensive discussing how psychology can be used to improve your auction revenues. Here is an excerpt from that first class. When considering the auction procurement process and the number of silent auction items needed to hit your goal, it’s impossible to do much without first understanding human behavior. Let's look at both your behavior and your guests’ behavior. The natural behavior ... Read On >
silent auction
Silent auction item ideas for fourth quarter auctions
In light of my 3-week procurement master course in December (Big Ticket Procurement Secrets), today I wanted to share some silent auction item ideas that work especially well for groups hosting fourth quarter auctions. ================ If your fundraising auction is in October, November, or December, be sure to include holiday-related décor among your silent auction items. This past Saturday I worked in Louisville, KY for a nonprofit that had a large silent auction. The holiday-specific ... Read On >
One silent auction display idea for jewelry, furs, and fashion
Gala auctions tend to have no shortage of jewelry. It's across the board at my events ... live auctions, silent auctions, bonuses, games, upgrades, etc. Some groups do a better job than others at showcasing the pieces. And then there are those random clothing items that are donated: dresses, furs, coats, and the like. Given that your silent auction is -- at its core -- a retail store, what's one good silent auction display idea for selling your wares? (Sidebar comment: Gosh, if you've spent ... Read On >
Can you cancel the silent auction for a Fund a Need auction instead?
I was speaking in Topeka, KS, about two weeks ago. I mentioned that some participants might want to eliminate their silent auctions and instead offer a well-orchestrated Fund a Need auction. I wasn't kidding. Well-orchestrated Fund a Needs surpass the silent auction revenue at a number of my clients' galas. ++++++++++++++++++++ (CAVEAT: It needs to be the right type of Fund a Need, well-orchestrated, and aggressively marketed. Learn all you need to know with my uber-popular DVD, Fabulous ... Read On >
Silent auction entertainment that startles
One of my auctions this past weekend used this silent auction entertainment idea. As the idea is fresh in my mind, it’s a perfect time to give you some pointers on using this concept. They’re called living statues. Also called “human statues,” the idea is that a person stands “frozen” until he receives a donation or otherwise wants to startle a passer-by. At that point, he changes his position. Here’s why I like this form of entertainment ... and some tips on getting the most out of ... Read On >