With the new year brings a return to routines. I’m attending many committee meetings and watching volunteers working hard on spring auctions.
The questions I’m asked most center around charity auction procurement.
And no wonder! It’s one of those make-or-break areas of an auction gala. If you don’t nail it – if you can’t get the right items — your guests won’t be bidding and you won’t be raising money.
Some of the more frequent questions committees have are:
- Who likes to donate?
- Which items are best?
- How do I ask?
- Where do I get items?
- What doesn’t sell?
Here are TWO just-released procurement resources guaranteed to blow the socks off your acquisition team.
The 2011 Auction Item Guide, What Sold Like Heaven in 2011, details 100+ items that sold for over value in the benefit auctions I worked around the country last year.
You’ll find answers to all the top questions. You’ll see what sold for the most – an answer to which items are best. You’ll see a list of items so you’ll easily spot who likes to donate. And with some detective work by observing what isn’t on the list, you’ll learn what never sells.
Now if you’d rather save time and just have me tell you what’s happening in today’s charity auction procurement industry, I’ve got another resource.
Each year I also record a tutorial to accompany the annual Guide. It’s a one-hour training where I give you additional information that isn’t readily apparent from just reading the Guide.
(This is the same information my high-level clients rely on me to teach them. It’s the “procurement update” for the year.)
Right now you can grab that .mp3 recording up for less than $20! (My onsite fees are in the four and five figures, so $20 is a great way to start learning at an affordable rate.)
- Click here if you want the free Guide AND the insider training for this low introductory price.
- Click here if you want the free Guide only.
It’s mid-January, what have you done to support your upcoming charity auction?
Now you can get these tools and you’ll have done a LOT to help your favorite cause.
Take both to your next acquisitions meeting. I guarantee you’ll be the charity auction rock star.
great tips, this is my first year to chair the silent auction for our charity= could not sign up for your 2011 tips
Nilsa, did you try and sign up on the upper right corner of my website? If there’s a problem with a sign-up, I want to know about it! To troubleshoot, I need to know where the form was where you tried to sign up. (Thanks for alerting me!)
AWESOME! Thanks for sharing this great resource! I’ll be passing it along.
Sandy
Gayle, what you’re describing might be a timeline issue, but could also be an audience issue or auctioneer issue. It sort of depends on the situation.
Fortunately, there are ways to deal with each.
Regarding a link .. interesting, but I’m not sure I’ve written specifically on timelines. I’ll check with my VA. She’s got a better memory for my content than I do! 🙂 If so, I’ll pass it along.
Second Lori’s wow, Sherry. Can’t wait to share with my clients.
P.S. I’ve attended a few fundraisers with auctions (silent and not so) and it seems that the auction never starts until most of the guests have left.
I’m wondering if you’ve got a blog link about timing that I could share.
Wow, Sherry, thanks for the great information and the guide. Any and all tools to help make this process clear and successful are terrific.