I like to be prepared for my fundraising auctions, as I know it matters in different ways to the donor, the nonprofit, and the guests. In this video, I share a recent example of how the printed description of a donation (a vertical of Far Niente wine) didn't seem to match the label of the wine. The last thing I wanted to do was screw up the description of the 5-bottle donation. It's pricey stuff -- and the donation even included a unicorn 2016 vintage. Furthermore, about 300 C-level ... Read On >
wine
Wine is the new (coronavirus-safe) auction consignment package
Last Thursday a big box arrived on my doorstep. Unlike so many of the packages I receive, I had to sign for this one. I didn’t know what was in it. After the UPS truck pulled off, I investigated. I couldn’t remember ordering anything that would require such a large box. Plus, it was heavy. I cut the tape to see what was inside. I saw two Styrofoam containers. And then I removed the lid of the Styrofoam container. Aha! I immediately remembered a call I’d received from a consignor who ... Read On >
Photo selfie frames to promote your auction on social media
To encourage social media posts at your fundraiser (and perhaps promote an auction sponsor), consider a photo selfie frame. I've written before about the many ways photography can be used at fundraising auctions to provide an entertainment outlet. Here are two ways nonprofits are using photo selfie frames. ================= 1. Photo selfie frames can cross-promote your nonprofit and another organization. ONEHOPE Wine has a photo selfie frame its Boston representatives take to its ... Read On >
Grape expectations: Selling premium wine as a revenue generator
Wine is a commonly included item at many fundraising auctions. It's used to bring in money via games such as wine pulls and ring toss games. It's sold as complete packages in silent auction and live auction lots. Bottles are often added to other packages to enhance them. Select wine tastings can be offered to sponsors as a benefit. And -- the focus of this article -- wine upgrades can also be sold outright as a money-making activity. Selling better wine to be served at one's ... Read On >
The flow of a wine auction (2 examples)
Last month I worked as a wine auctioneer for a benefit auction in Oak Brook, IL. It was my second wine auction in 2017. The other event was for a nonprofit in Texas. In this post, I'm featuring both of them. If you're running a wine auction or considering launching one in your community, take a look at how these two fundraisers are structured. Both of these are successful events in their markets. Let's look at highlights from each event. Vintage Amarillo Earlier this year, the ... Read On >