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:  https://elitefundraisingauctions.com/sign-up-page.html

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

Written by Mike Grigg (Professional Fundraising Auctioneer & Consultant)

Fundraising Consultant wins California Ringman Competition

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 (https://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 (https://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 (https://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.

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?

Fundraising auction bidders elite auctions
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?

Elite-Team-Auctioneer-Fundraising 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!!!

mike on stage honor flight_with_shadow 

(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

CLICK HERE to Register!!!