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.  

Elite Auctions to attend Consulting for Benefit Auctioneers Workshop in Atlanta

Elite Auctions & Fundraising Services will be attending a workshop for benefit auctioneers in Atlanta, Georgia next week.  Elite Auctions strives to be the best benefit auctioneers/consultants on the west coast and is constantly educating and training themselves on the strategies that work in this tough economy and in our specific area.  Here is more information about the workshop:

Consulting for Benefit Auctioneers Workshop

 

How to Create a Highly Profitable Stream of Income For Your Benefit Auction Business with Consulting

 

Presented by Professional Auctioneer and Consultant

 

Kathy Kingston, CAI, BAS

 

 

Monday, August 5 and Tuesday August 6, 2013
Atlanta, Georgia

 

This Powerful 2-Day Workshop Will Give you the Consulting Skills Required to Build Massive Success and Propel Profits

 

Are you ready to gain the competitive advantage you desire that will move your benefit auction business light years ahead?

 

Would you to like to raise significantly more money, engage donors, motivate volunteers and delight your nonprofit clients so you are delightedly retained year after year?

 

“There has never been a better time to offer Consulting – nonprofits need and want your unique benefit auction expertise.”

 

Leverage one of the fastest growing segments of our auction profession today – BENEFIT AUCTIONS – a $16.2 Billion annual industry* with over 1.5 Million nonprofits in the United States.

 

The Benefit Auction Consultant Workshop will powerfully position you to raise significantly more money, engage donors, motivate volunteers and delight your nonprofit clients so you are retained year after year.

 

If you think that you can advance your benefit auction business by just auctioning fancy dinners and exotic trips, think again!

 

Now more than ever, nonprofits seek out benefit auctioneers who can relate to them, solve problems, produce fresh profit-making ideas and to raise more money. Build your confidence and harness these advanced benefit auction consulting competencies now.

 

Kathy’s personalized coaching will empower you to inspire nonprofit clients, donors and auction audiences to accelerate your career and to skyrocket auction fundraising and invigorate your bottom line.

 

The Benefit Auction Consultant Workshop will show you how to easily unlock opportunities and tap into the unlimited stream of income by adding consulting with your nonprofit clients.

 

If you are ready to propel your benefit auction business and your consulting skills, Kathy Kingston, CAI, BAS is excited to work with you personally to provide an innovative and highly interactive workshop on Benefit Auction Consulting.

 

 

To thrive in challenging times you must become more creative, learn innovative skills, network more and invest in yourself to compete in this new economy.

 

But there is GOOD NEWS! The Benefit Auction Business is BOOMING!

 

 

Are you ready to take your benefit auction business to the next level?

 

 

In this distinctly interactive workshop, and you will practice the specialized skills you need to add highly requested benefit auction consulting services and business to accelerate your profits and exponentially raise more money!

Consulting with non-profit organizations insures auction event success and higher revenues for the non-profit AND your auction company. As a Benefit Auction Consultant, you will empower non-profits to raise more far more funds, increase awareness and goodwill plus those turn auction bidders into loyal long-term donors. (…and that’s your unique power and expertise you bring to your nonprofit clients!)

Fundraising Seminar in Los Angeles by Elite Auctions

Los Angeles Seminar: Skyrocket Your Fundraising Auction Revenue!! When: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 Morning Session: 8:30 am - 12 noon Where: Embassy Suites LAX North. 9801 Airport Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045 (Fill out Registration Form at the bottom of this page. Limited seating available.)   Seminar Content: Which Auction Items Are Hot & Which Are Not 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 Beware of volunteer auctioneers Number one reason why people love auctions Auction pace & why it's important Value of a Professional Ringman (Bid Spotter) Cutting-Edge Fundraising Techniques How to turn emotion into money Revenue enhancers How to execute the perfect Fund-A-Need Auction Ice Breakers 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 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 For Attending You Will Receive: Complete Benefit Auction Planning Checklist Auction Committee Member's Job Descriptions List of "What's Hot & What's Not" Auction Items Questions You Should Ask Before Planning Your Fundraising Event Live and Silent Auction Bid Forms The Book: "Maximizing Your Charity Event's Bottom Line" - written by Award Winning Auctioneer Mike Grigg 30 Minute FREE Telephone Consultation prior to your event AND MUCH MORE...                         (Valued at over $500) Who Should Attend? Auction Chairpersons Non-Profit Staff Auction Planners Board Members Auction Committee Members Volunteers Anyone involved in a charity auction! Investment: Register online: $67 Register at the door: $97 Additional Members: $20 Please fill out all information below and click 'Submit'.  The registration fee is $67.  If you do not register online prior to the day of the seminar, the fee at the door will be $97.  You will be redirected to the Seminar Payment page to make your payment after entering all information below.  If additional members from your organization will be attending the fee will be $20 per additional member.  Please list the names of each additional member in the 'Additional Members' box below. LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE SO PLEASE ACT QUICKLY!

Click Here to Register