Silent Auction Ideas for Your Fundraising Event

So you and your auction committee are having a discussion at your board meeting whether or not to have a silent auction.  Your argument is that you have not really raised a ton of money (not to mention that silent auctions are a ton of work) with your silent auction in the past and some of your other board members insist on having a silent auction because it is tradition and everyone is used to it.  

Believe it or not, there are other ways to raise money that can replace a silent auction, but this article is going to focus more on perfecting your current silent auction.  Follow us for future articles regarding alternative options for a silent auction.

Here are 3 secrets to improving your silent auction:

1.  Always have a professional fundraising auctioneer on a microphone making announcements regarding your silent auction; encouraging bidding, talking about items that are not receiving much attention and warning the bidders when those sections are closing.  He/She will have many tips to enhancing your silent auction so listen to their advice.

2.  Section off your silent auction tables and use different colored balloons so that your guests can easily find which section is being referred to by your auctioneer.  Speak to your fundraising auctioneer and/or consultant about how many sections you should utilize based on the amount of items you have and the time you have allotted for your silent auction.

3.  Use a staggered close technique to end your silent auction.  Remember those handy-dandy balloons?  Have your auctioneer close each colored section at different times (about 5 minutes apart) beginning with your less valued items and ending with your highest, most desirable items.

There you have it!  Three great tips that will tremendously improve your silent auction results.

For more great tips and a free evaluation of your benefit event contact Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services at 661-477-2287, Email Us or visit our website at EliteFundraisingAuctions.com.

Written by Mike Grigg, Champion Auctioneer & Fundraising Auction Consultant

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Remember to check out EliteFundraisingAuctions.com for all of your fundraising auction and consulting needs.

Plated Dinner or Buffet at Your Fundraising Auction Event?

Benefit Auctioneer, Mike Grigg with Elite Auctions & Fundraising Services discusses the importance of a plated dinner versus a buffet style dinner at your fundraising auction event.  If you must do a buffet use food stations intermixed with your auction items.  Try to avoid having a buffet at a fundraising auction event. There is a clear winner here... just watch to find out!

What is the MOST Important Ingredient for a Successful FundraisingEvent?

THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EVENT...

THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM

WHO ARE THE “RIGHT PEOPLE”?

They are the people who understand and believe in your cause and have the means and desire to monetarily support that cause.

A FUNDRAISING EVENT IS JUST THAT.

A fundraising event first and foremost should be seen as an opportunity to focus on raising as much money as possible for your cause. If the majority of the guests in the room cannot afford to give generously then you are allowing that opportunity to slip away.

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY:

Perhaps that sounds insensitive to the many volunteers and employees associated with your organization so let me give a quick example of why having the “right people” in the room is the most important ingredient for a successful fundraising event. If at your event you have 100 guests with the means to generously support your cause rather than 300 who perhaps cannot; you will raise exponentially more money and the cost of putting on the event will be less thus insuring your organization can continue to effectively serve your community now and in the future.

By Connie Waddell, CEO of Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services

Coming Soon: How to Insure you have the Right People In The Room.

How can Board Members Contribute to Raising Funds?

There are many ways that a Board member can contribute to raising funds, directly and indirectly. Below is a brief list of things to keep an eye on to help Board members set themselves up for success:

          1. Do they completely understand the mission of the organization? Train them, take them into the field, help them (and all your staff and volunteers) understand the impact that your work is making in the community. Make them proud and the words will follow easily.

      2. Remind them to start with them self: The first sale is always to one's self. The first ask is always to one's self. It is much easier to engage someone when we have already made a commitment. Next time they are out golfing or lunching with their friends or colleagues, ask them to share why this cause is so important to them, why they feel compelled to give of their valuable time. Follow this up with a ‘won’t you join me’, or ‘would you consider’, statement.

3.       Find the asking style that fits the Board Member and play to those strengths. Hone those skills and strengths and use them to connect people to your cause (i.e. Perhaps they are good at writing copy and have generated numerous gifts from this skill. Do not underestimate this asset).

4.       Know asking styles and pair them up with their opposite when visiting donors or making a request for a lead gift.

5.       Say Thank you! Knowing how to say thank you is almost a guarantee of future donor giving. Immediately after an event have Board Members get on the phone and say ‘thank you’ to all those who made a gift to the organization. Few Non-Profits do this, yet it is stunningly effective and creates huge donor loyalty. The board member is one of the best people to do this. (It overfills the cup of the giver and it also reinforces to the Board member the value of the work that the organization is creating.)

Written by Tracy Karbus, Fundraising Event Strategist and Consultant

‘When courage, genius and generosity hold hands, all things are possible.’
-Unknown

Fundraising Auction Seminar in Bakersfield, CA

Financial stress is a given for Nonprofits.
Our record-breaking fundraising ideas and

customized strategies are the key to your

organization's success.

Meet Mike Grigg - the solution to your professional auction needs

Bakersfield Seminar: Skyrocket Your Fundraising Auction Revenue!!

When: Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Morning Session: 8:30 am - 12 noon

Where:  Bakersfield Assoc. of Realtors 2300 Bahamas Dr. Bakersfield, CA

Discover the secrets of how professional

charity auctioneers/consultants can deliver

record setting financial results.

Look at all the great content you will discover:

Which Auction Items Are Hot & Which Are Not Identify items that are bringing in the highest yield & how to secure them Items that are not performing well Where to place auction items (Silent/Live)	How to Knock Your Auction Revenue Out of the Park Why a professional auctioneer is best Why volunteer auctioneers could COST you money Number one reason why people love auctions (hint: FUN!) The pace of the auction & why it's important Value of a Professional Ringman (Bid Spotter)
Cutting-Edge Fundraising Techniques (known only by professional auctioneers & consultants) How to turn emotion into money- touch the heart of your bidders How revenue enhancers add value How to execute the perfect Fund-A-Need How can Auction Ice Breakers help raise bids?	Increase Your Results by 10%, 20% or More Put power bidders in the seats Training volunteers "The Ask" Prepping your attendees to maximize bidding Minding your donor database for maximum results Setting your Board up for success
Run of Show Develop a winning timeline- don't fail from poor planning Plated dinner or buffet? Learn to involve your guests in your mission Schedule do's and don'ts	Questions and Answers Let us address your questions and concerns We'll hold your hand throughout the entire process No question will go unanswered

CLICK HERE to Register!!!

 

(Photo by Henry A. Barrios, The Californian)

Who is this perfect for?

Auction Chairpersons
Non-Profit Staff
Auction Planners
Board Members
Auction Committee Members
Volunteers
Anyone involved in a charity auction!

For Attending You Will Receive:
	Complete Benefit Auction Planning Checklist (FREE) Auction Committee Member's Job Descriptions (FREE) List of "What's Hot & What's Not" Auction Items (FREE) Questions You Should Ask Before Planning Your Event (FREE) Live and Silent Auction Bid Forms (FREE) The Book: "Maximizing Your Charity Event's Bottom Line" - written by Award Winning Auctioneer Mike Grigg (FREE) 30 Minute FREE Phone Consultation prior to your event (FREE) AND MUCH MORE...             That's over $500 in FREE bonuses just for attending!

LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE SO PLEASE ACT QUICKLY!

Your investment today is only:

Register online: $67   (save $30 by registering now!)

Register at the door: $97
 
Additional Members: $20

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