Ever worked and worked and worked to get a great beach house / ski lodge / overseas trip donated, only to have two of them show up as donations in the same year? When it rains, it pours. Or maybe you’re challenged in that two donors have similar homes, and you’re not sure if it makes sense to sell both them in the live auction. Here are some suggestions for determining which vacation home should be sold in the live auction. A home within driving distance. All other things being relatively ... Read On >
live auction
What’s the BEST number of auction items? (Live auction)
Enjoy this series on determining the best number of auction items for your event. How many silent auction items are best. Today's post on how many live auction items are ideal. How many online auction items are good. The influence of mobile bidding on terminology. Back in 2009 I wrote a post about how many live auction items you should sell. I'm making some updates. What's the best number of auction items for our live auction? The two biggest factors affecting your ideal number of ... Read On >
How many clerks spoil the benefit auction broth?
Ever heard the phrase, “Too many cooks spoil the broth?” At a benefit auction, you need someone to record the sale prices. That person is typically called a clerk, secretary, or recorder. Although an auctioneer could clerk his own benefit auction, it slows the sales process and isn’t a best practice. The auction clerk stands or sits near the auctioneer at the front of the stage. Oftentimes the clerk sits right next to me, while I stand at the podium. This is not a stressful job, but many ... Read On >
Where smart Auction Chairs spend their money
Established auction committees tend to write lots of checks. A budget for fundraising gala will vary by group (for instance, you might have access to a free venue; others might negotiate discounted printing), but when we look at the budgets of committees coast-to-coast, we see common expenses. And it’s not uncommon to see costs shape up like the chart on the right. So do you think that if you write the biggest check to the caterer or the venue or the band (pick a category), they are ... Read On >
The OTHER thing to never say on stage at a benefit auction
Back in 2009, I penned an article that got quite a bit of traction on both my blog and social media outlets. It was called, “The one thing to never say on stage at a benefit auction.” (You might want to read that, if you haven't.) It’s time to revise. I now have TWO things you should never say on stage. When I wrote that article, I was referring to the recession. Some of my clients were hell-bent on reminding their auction guests that the USA was experiencing an economic downturn. They felt ... Read On >