Elite Auctions & Fundraising Services 2013 Year In Review

Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services (http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com) had a spectacular 2013 and would like to thank all the non profits and schools that made it possible!  If you need a fundraising auctioneer and consultant so that you can break your fundraising records let us know.

How to hire a professional fundraising auctioneer… What should I ask when determining which auctioneer to hire?

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR AUCTIONEER'S ADVICE WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING MONEY AT YOUR EVENT!

Hiring a professional auctioneer for your charity, benefit or fundraising event is an essential element to maximizing your organization’s profit.

www.elitefundraisingauctions.com

Here are some questions that can be asked to determine whether or not the auctioneer is reputable...

1.  Do you specialize in charity auctions?

Auctioneers that specialize in charity, benefit and fundraising auctions are going to be best equipped to handle all aspects of your event from the silent auction, live auction and the fund-a-need or appeal.  There are many proven "tricks of the trade" that a professional charity auctioneer will know vs. a volunteer or non-charity auctioneer.

2.  Are you bonded as an auctioneer in the State of California?

Auctioneers that conduct business in the State of California are required by law to be bonded by the state.  If the company you are interviewing is not bonded by the State of California be very cautious to proceed with them.  Check your state laws regarding auctioneers if you are not conducting your auction in California.

3.  Are you a member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and your State Auctioneers Association?

It is not manditory that auctioneers be members of the NAA or their state associations, but all auctioneers that are members of both associations are required to follow a code of ethics while practicing as a legitimate auction company.  Do not do business with auctioneers that aren't members of both associations because they may not be looking out for your best interests.

4.  How many successful auctions have you completed and how many years have you been in the business?

Choosing an auctioneer that has not conducted more than 50 successful auctions and been in the auction business for at least 5 years may not be in your best interests.  In order for auctions to have a positive outcome they must be handled by an auctioneer that has the

proper knowledge and experience, which can only be gained by conducting a multitude of successful auctions over a legitimate time period.  (Pictured right: Mike Grigg, AARE, BAS of Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services on stage taken by Henry A. Barrios The Californian)

5.  Do you have any auction videos that I can view?

An auctioneer should be able to show you videos of him/her in action.  If he/she does not have videos, request to attend one of his/her upcoming auctions so that you can see how he/she works with the crowd to entertain, raise money and how his/her overall personality will mesh with your organization.

6.  What type of training have you had regarding benefit auctions?

There are several different training courses and designations that an auction can complete.  The National Auctioneers Association has the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation that less than 1% of fundraising auctioneers hold.  It would be a huge bonus if your auctioneer had this designation.  Ask them if they attended auction school to learn his or her chant as well.  An auctioneer that is new to benefit auctions or doesn’t have any training might not be the best choice for your event.

7.  Do you charge for your services?

Auctioneers that don't charge for their services are not going to take your event seriously.  Many times they are not charging because they don't value their ability to maximize your profit.  Ask the auctioneer what their fees are and use your judgment in determining if their cost is fair.  Remember, good charity auctioneers are the line item in the budget that make you money... It does not cost, it pays to have a professional benefit auctioneer.  They will pay for themselves with the extra revenue they will achieve vs. a volunteer.  Volunteers, weathermen, comedians, etc. are not trained as auctioneers and will lose thousands of dollars for your cause... they will cost you far more than hiring a professional with their lack of experience and consulting knowledge.  "Having a volunteer or unqualified auctioneer handle your event is like having your accountant work on your car."

*Remember, a good charity auctioneer has a lot of tips that can maximize your event's profits using a multitude of different techniques.  Auctioneers that have conducted a lot of auctions have seen many different money-making ideas and know what works and what doesn't work (i.e. timeline, types of auctions, what order to put your items in, fund-a-need, etc.) 

What You and Your Board Should Consider when Having a Fundraising Auction

I.              Evaluation

a.    What do you hope to accomplish with a fundraising auction?

                                          i.    Thank donors and volunteers

                                        ii.    Raise needed funds

                                       iii.    Increase donor base

                                       iv.    Increase volunteer base

                                        v.    Increase community awareness for your cause

b.    Does your organization have the necessary resources?

                                          i.    Start-up capital

                                        ii.    Staffing

                                       iii.    Volunteer support

                                       iv.    Time

                                        v.    Will you need input from other organizations

                                       vi.    Professional consultation

c.    Does an auction compliment the mission of your organization?

II.            Plan and Name Your Goal

a.    Establish a realistic financial plan

                                          i.    Consider all possible expenses and revenue

                                        ii.    Estimate attendance figures

                                       iii.    Be realistic in your assessment of participation

                                       iv.    Set an expense budget and stick to it

                                        v.    Outline the worst case scenario

                                       vi.    Establish the break-even point

b.    Develop a step-by-step action plan

                                          i.    Plan training for volunteer needs and know your sources

                                        ii.    Evaluate possible locations for your auction gala

                                       iii.    Layout a game plan for reaching your target audience

                                       iv.    Plan for publicity

                                        v.    Recruit a planning committee and solicit their input on the plan

III.           Get the Word Out

a.    Involve as many as possible in the planning process.  Let others share ownership of the event so you will get more support and have a more successful auction.

                                          i.    Sell  your board on becoming involved

                                        ii.    Contact current constituents and volunteers

b.    Recruit new volunteers

c.    Reach out to the media

                                          i.    Personal invitations

                                        ii.    Write press releases

                                       iii.    Organization newsletter

IV.          Post Event Evaluation

a.    Goal Evaluation

                                          i.    Did the auction accomplish the goals you established (financial, new donors, community awareness)?  Why or why not?

b.    Support Evaluation

                                          i.    Did you have the support you needed from constituents, your board, the media, and volunteers?  Why or why not?

                                        ii.    Did you have the sponsorship support you planned?  Why or why not?

c.    What would you have done differently?

d.    Layout a skeleton action plan based on your evaluation to refer to when planning the next auction.

                                          i.    Have committee chairs give written reports

                                        ii.    Should this be an annual event?

Visit http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com for more information.