We have decided to get rid of our silent auction... Is there something that we can do to replace the revenue?

First off, we are seeing this trend more and more with nonprofit fundraising events.  The main complaints of a silent auction that we see and hear are:

1.  It is difficult to get enough quality items to properly fill a silent auction.  The correct ratio of items to guests should be one item for every three or four guests.

2.  The items we do get are just not that desirable for our guests.

3.  There is too much "manpower" involved.  It takes several volunteers manning tables, moving items, setting up, organizing for checkout, etc.

4.  Bidders are hovering over their favorite items and not letting other people bid.

5.  It takes too long to get to desirable bid amounts.

Well I'm here to tell you that a silent auction can be replaced with efficient, fun, profitable revenue enhancers that take very little manpower and procuring.  We are finding that our clients that embrace revenue enhancers in place of the traditional silent auction are making just as much, if not more revenue and their guests are having a lot of fun as well!

So what are these revenue enhancers you ask?  Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services have developed several options:

• Heads or Tails
• Champagne Diamond
• Live Board
• 100 Yard Dash
• Auction Chicken
• Sign up Board
• Etc.

Remember doing things the same way and expecting different results is the definition of insanity!  Try spicing up your cocktail hour with revenue enhancers... Just contact Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services to find out more.  Sign up for our monthly auction secrets and tips here:  http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com/sign-up-page.html

Visit our website at http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com or call 661-477-2287.

Written by Mike Grigg (Professional Fundraising Auctioneer & Consultant)

Fundraising Consultant wins California Ringman Competition

Benefit auction consultant and professional ringman, Connie Waddell with Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services wins the 2013 California State Auctioneers Association Ringman Championship in San Diego! What's a ringman you ask? Read on for more...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 23, 2013 - SAN DIEGO -- Benefit auction consultant and professional ringman, Connie Waddell with Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services wins the 2013 California State Auctioneers Association Ringman Championship in San Diego, CA!  What is a ringman you ask?  As defined on Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services' website (http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com):  Professional Ringmen is an auction term used to describe a person or persons who work the auction floor before, during and after the auction and are primarily used during the Live Auction. They work directly with the Auctioneer, your staff and your guests. You may know them as “Bid Spotters”. They have received in-depth training on all aspects of the auction process, are experienced in bid spotting and making guests feel comfortable to make just one more bid to support your cause. Simply put, Ringmen can help you take your Event to the next level and can easily add an additional 10 -15% to your Live Auction revenues.

It is simply impressive to see a fundraising ringman win a competition that is dominated by cattle and auto

auctioneers and ringmen.  Connie attended the Professional Ringmen's Institute in Rogersville Missouri several years ago and has been honing her skills in the ring ever since by assisting with fundraisers and real estate auction events.  Her company, Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services also won Best Auction Firm Website in 2013 in the California State Auctioneers Association marketing competition (http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com).

Connie is from Long Beach, CA and her company is located in Bakersfield, CA.  She has a passion for the auction industry with a special place in her heart for nonprofit organizations.  Her company has literally raised millions of dollars to benefit all of the wonderful causes that nonprofits and schools have to offer in all areas of California.

Live Auction VS Silent Auction at Your Fundraiser

Mike Grigg of Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services (http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com) discusses utilizing live auctions vs silent auctions at your charity or benefit event.  Silent auctions are best utilized for selling lower dollar items in large quantity and live auctions are best utilized for higher dollar items that are more exclusive.  Silent auction tip: Always use a staggered close technique with different colored balloons (or something of this sort) to mark your different sections.

Marketing Your Fundraising Auction Items

Mike Grigg of Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services explains the importance of marketing your live auction items prior to your benefit auction event.  http://www.elitefundraisingauctions.com

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!