It's one of the biggest stresses of any auction committee ... where to get items. If you're involved in a first year event, the item procurement process is especially tedious. Knowing what items to get -- and WHERE to get them -- is overwhelming. To help you understand the process at a high level, here are the three primary ways to procure charity auction items. (And I'm guessing that you've never heard of #3!) (UPDATE: The Tech Teleseries mentioned in the video has passed. Stay abreast of ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
Virginia benefit auctioneer grabs a video camera to express her gratitude to a nonprofit
Saying thank you is a life lesson. Moms teach kids to say thank you before they can walk. Friendships develop over a thoughtful note and business relationships are made from a good thank yous. Everyone appreciates some appreciation, so my advice to auction committees is to give it to them. Don’t overthink the task. Grab a pen, the phone, the keyboard ... or even a video camera and just say thanks. Here’s my example of taking a moment to pause and let someone know their actions were ... Read On >
VIDEO: Tips for tents as charity auction venues
If you're ready to change the feel of your auction, holding the event in a tent might do the trick. They have an almost romantic feel to them! Tents can be set up almost anywhere. I've worked inside tents set up in a backyard, a pasture, and the grounds of a museum. As explained in the video, tents are nice ... but they do present special challenges as a venue. Watch the video for details. ... Read On >
VIDEO: Four types of insurance for charity auction events
A Lexington, KY charity had a beautiful custom pink motorcycle donated to their gala. The bike was autographed by many western singers so it was truly a one-of-a-kind item. It could have sold for thousands of dollars ... had it not been stolen from their offices in the days leading up to the gala. In this video, learn about the four common types of insurance for charity auction events. Watch the video below. ... Read On >
VIDEO: Ideas on where to find new auction sponsors
If you're trying to find new auction sponsors by studying the auction catalogs from the charity gala down the street, think again. Those sponsors have likely been asked again and again to donate. They've already likely aligned themselves with favored nonprofits. What are the chances they'll switch horses mid-stream and give you the big money? Wouldn't it be easier to align with a fast-growing company that hasn't yet been asked 1,000 times to donate? In this video, I share a rich source of ... Read On >