An auction chair recently email me. She wasn’t happy.
She’d downloaded my free Auction Item Guide, taken a peek at the auction items, and was stunned at what other charities had procured.
“How do people even get these things?” she implored.
I could sense all this exasperation in her email.
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In a hurry? Join me at this no-cost training call (7 Secrets to Procuring Great Items for your Charity Auction … without leaving your house!) this Thursday, Sept 27, 2012.
UPDATE: This call has passed. Keep abreast of future free trainings by subscribing to Benefit Auction Ideas.
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Can you relate? I knew I could …
Early on in my auctioneer career, I’d help a nonprofit as volunteer while also serving as auctioneer.
It was a bit like playing baseball on both sides … pitching the ball and then running to hit it.
One thing I learned from that experience is that item procurement can feel really daunting when you’re starting out. You know you need “stuff to sell,” but there’s not much strategy behind the acquisition process.
I was pretty awful at helping in those early days.
But as my business evolved and I worked with more and more charities, I made notes of how committees procured. I’ve always been good at noticing details, and I applied my eye to that area of the gala.
What did nonprofits do differently? Why did some have an easier time of it? What made some so darn successful while others languished in “bad item” or “no item” land?
I paid attention to nuances and documented different processes.
In time, I’d developed a rudimentary system.
I played with it .. perfected it .. taught it .. revamped it .. taught it again .. tried a new angle .. added another step. I’m always looking for ways to better explain the process and teach new “tricks.”
This Thursday (September 27, 2012), I’m going to talk more about procurement in a no-cost training call. If item procurement is a hot button for you and your committee, you’ll want to join me.
I look forward to seeing you there!
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