In recent years, the prevailing advice I seem to catch online is that nonprofits should put more "experiences" into their auction line-up. Fundraising auction procurement angled towards "experiences" will presumably garner the big bucks. To be clear, we're not talking about experiences like a colonoscopy or dental work. It's more like a trip with a wine tasting. Or a hot air balloon ride. But here's my take: I don't believe that telling a committee member to "go get some experiences ... Read On >
training
Virtual gala: Master or Disaster?
Last week I read an article about relationships. In it, the researchers labeled couples with behaviors that enabled them to stay together for the long term as "masters." Couples with behaviors that tore them apart were labeled as "disasters." I thought the alliteration was clever. Plus, the concept of being really good at something or really bad, can be applied to so many things. Are you a master at parallel parking? Or a disaster? Are you a master at baking cookies? Or a ... Read On >
New for 2017: Procurement training “Mastering Nonprofit Auction Consignment”
By a long shot, the most popular trip I've sold in benefit auctions over the last ~3 years has been a trip to Cuba. For over 50 years, Cuba was a forbidden country for Americans. We couldn't (legally) travel there. As the rest of the world marched on, time stood still in Cuba -- and that's what auction guests are eager to experience. They are hot for Cuba because it's a step back in time. Magnificent buildings are occupied, but crumbling. Cars considered antiques in the United ... Read On >
New for 2017: Auction procurement training class “How to get 2016’s top-selling items” plus a newly-released Auction Item Guide
Like an aging beauty queen lacking any other skills, my 2015 Auction Item Guide™ (“What sold for lots of green in 2015”) was desperate to hang on to her glory. But over the holidays, I ripped off her crown and showed her the door. Meanwhile the new 2016 Auction Item Guide™ (“These stole the scene in 2016”) took over the reigning duties and made herself at home on my website. You can now get the new Guide AND participate in a “pop-up” auction procurement training class, "How to get 2016's ... Read On >
What to do if you’re not getting Red Apple Auctions emails
If you're consistently having problems getting Red Apple Auctions emails and other information I send, you may find this blog post helpful. Last week my team received a simple email originating from the "Contact Us" page of my website. Here is the conversation it generated: Subject: Please add me to your email list for the Red Apple Auctions' ezine Body: Thanks so much. Cheers, <name removed> My team member noticed the email was from a hospital account in Canada. She ... Read On >