Category: auction

Are You Looking for a “Magic Pill” to bring in MORE MONEY at Your Fundraising Auction?

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date June 25, 2015

We all know that a “Magic Pill” doesn’t exist in the physical sense, but what if I tell you that doing one simple thing could double or triple your fundraising auction revenue; would you believe in a “magic pill” then?

There are so many facets that make up a successful fundraising event: great venue, good food, dedicated board, etc. I can speak for us at Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services when I tell you that our team of dedicated fundraising professionals will take your revenue to the next level and you will think that you just took a magic pill. We have time and time again proven that we can consistently increase revenue to double or triple what the previous volunteer auctioneer was able to attain. We do this with pre-event consulting. We don’t just show up the day of the event and you hand us a list of auction items and off we go… this is how you guarantee poor results! We work with your committees and board up to a year in advance and guide you through every up and down of the fundraising event roller coaster with simple, yet effective techniques that guarantee to show you spectacular results. Click Here to find out what consulting will give your organization.

The greatest thing about our “Magic Pill” approach is that we have a super secret way that we actually pay you to hire us… Visit our website to find out how to get one of these “Magic Pills” for your next fundraising auction event!! EliteFundraisingAuctions.com

Written by Mike Grigg, AARE, BAS of Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services

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What is the most important ingredient to a successful fundraising event?

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date February 20, 2015

Is the most important ingredient the type of live auction items or what kind of food you serve or how many silent auction items you have, etc.? While all these are important, the answer is NO! The single most important ingredient for a successful fundraising event is having the right people in the room.

So you may ask “Who are the right people?” These are simply the people that believe in your cause and have the means and desire to support your cause through monetary giving (Whether that be in a silent auction, live auction, fund a need, or any other type of revenue enhancer.

A FUNDRAISING AUCTION EVENT SHOULD FOCUS ON FUNDRAISING!

This sounds so simple yet many organizations get away from this and focus on the party. Your event should be seen as an opportunity to raise as much money as possible and spread your Nonprofit’s message. If your guests are coming just to have dinner and not support your cause monetarily then you are missing your opportunity to have a super successful charitable event.

Quite simply, you are looking for QUALITY NOT QUANTITY.

You would rather have 150 guests with the means to support your cause than 500 guests who are there for the party or there because the boss gave them tickets. For example, if you take those 150 attendees that have the means to support your cause and they give an average of $500 per person then your organization would raise $75,000; not to mention the fact that you will pay less for your venue, less for your food and less for your beverages, ultimately raising your net. If you take the 500 guests that were mostly given tickets (i.e. from bosses, friends, etc.) and most of them don’t have the means to support your cause, you may be lucky to have them give an average of $100 per person. This equates to $50,000, which is 50% less than the example above. Your net figure is also going to be much lower because you will need a larger venue, more food and more beverages.

When your committee sits down for its first meeting, the primary objective should be putting people with the means and desire to support your cause in the seats!

Written by Mike Grigg, AARE, BAS of Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services

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Do Sign Up Boards at a Fundraising Event work?

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date October 23, 2014
2 Comments on Do Sign Up Boards at a Fundraising Event work?

Here at Elite Auctions & Fundraising Services we are always searching for alternative “revenue enhancing” ideas at our fundraising auction events other than the live auction, silent auction and fund a need or ask. We have compiled a book of several revenue enhancers to use at your event and share this with all of our clients. Well, here is one of those enhancers that works well if executed properly… Sign Up Boards. When your organization has an over abundance of 8-20 person parties, like a bourbon and cigar tasting party for the guys or a fiesta and salsa dancing party for the girls, then a sign up board may just be the thing you’re organization is looking for.

Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Design a poster board with the amount of lines matching the amount of people the party is for and number them 1-8, 1-10, etc. and set a fixed price for each participant (i.e. $50, $100, etc.)

Step 2: Have a reveal time when the board(s) are uncovered and open for sign ups (Hint: Have your professional auctioneer make a big deal about it on the sound system).

Step 3: When guests come over to the boards have volunteers explain each party to them and have the guests put their name/bidder number on the open lines. Once the board(s) are full then your parties are sold out!

Simple, fun and effective!! This is one of many ways to add a revenue enhancer into your fundraising auction event. Good luck with your fundraising auction event!

Written by Mike Grigg, AARE, BAS with Elite Auctions & Fundraising Services

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Have a Thank-A-Thon with Your Donors After Your Fundraising Auction Event

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date May 13, 2014

We all understand, or should understand, that thanking your donors after your fundraising auction event has concluded is an absolute must. However, the way that you thank your donors for their generous contributions to help your cause is so very important. Many organizations simply send out a form letter showing what was purchased/donated and a generic message thanking the donor for their contribution. This is obviously a good idea for their tax purposes, but how personal is this for the donor and does it make them feel special?

Imagine being a donor that just gave $5,000 or $1,000 or $250 of your hard-earned money to a cause that you believe in and just receiving this form letter, which is really a must for tax purposes anyway. Do you feel special in any way? Do you feel that the organization values your participation in such an important event? Do you have any excitement or feeling of obligation to attend their next event? In some cases yes, but in most cases not really.

I suggest that you get together your entire board and staff and have a Thank-A-Thon party. Provide some food and beverages for your board and staff and start calling your donors on the phone. Spend 30 seconds to a minute explaining how thankful your organization is for their donation and how the funds will be utilized to better your cause. The purpose of this call is not to ask for anything but to simply thank your donors and inform them of how the funds will be or are being utilized to better your cause. If the donor does not answer just leave them a message, no need to keep calling until they answer. If you had 150 people give at your event then a board and staff of 10 people have to spend about 15-20 minutes each or about 15 phone calls each.

Most organizations do not do this simple step, so imagine how much this will put you in the minds’ of your donors versus other organizations that they give to throughout the year. Simply put, it makes them feel special and valued which can many times equate to future support.

Written by Mike Grigg, AARE, BAS
EliteFundraisingAuctions.com

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How many items should we have in our live fundraising auction?

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date March 13, 2014

How many live auction items should we have? This is one of the most popular questions asked when planning a fundraising auction event.

In a standard “Gala style” event with silent auction, welcome speech, live auction and fund a need there is what’s called a “Golden Hour”. I would suggest that an hour for a live auction at a fundraiser is a bit too much, but it is a good rule of thumb to keep your live auction no more than one hour long. I really like to be more in the range of 30-45 minutes if possible.

Now, that brings up the question: “How many items does that mean we can sell?” A good professional fundraising auctioneer will take around 3 minutes per item (including the item description). If you do the math that means that 15 items are the most you should be selling, but ideally you want to stay between 8-10. Be careful of filling the auction with lower quality items just to say you have ten items! I would rather have quality, not quantity in the live auction; even if that means having an auction with 4-5 items. You only have a short attention span with your guests, so make it count!

Written by Mike Grigg, AARE, BAS

EliteFundraisingAuctions.com

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Plated Dinner or Buffet at Your Fundraising Auction Event?

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date September 16, 2013
1 Comment on 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!

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What is the MOST Important Ingredient for a Successful FundraisingEvent?

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date September 11, 2013

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.

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Fundraising Auction Seminar in Bakersfield, CA

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date September 3, 2013

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:

CLICK HERE to Register!!!

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California Fundraising Auctioneer more than Doubles Horse RescueEvent’s Revenue

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date August 20, 2013

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug. 20, 2013 – NAPA, Calif. — Napa Valley, CA – Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services more than doubles Sunrise Horse Rescue’s profit at their 4th annual Harvest of Hope Benefit Auction Event. Professional auctioneer, Mike Grigg presided over the live auction which brought in nearly $50,000 and the fund a need which brought in $21,000. The funds will go to benefit horses and the rescue operation in the Napa Valley area.

The event was held at the Blossom Creek Farm in Calistoga, CA where some of the rescued horses were present to interact with the over 180 attendees. There was a silent auction, live auction and fund a need which coupled with ticket sales raised in the area of $100,000.

Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services has record-breaking fundraising ideas and customized strategies that are key to nonprofit organizations’ success. They present seminars all over the state of California teaching their secrets to nonprofit fundraising success.

Every year, countless horses go without enough food, shelter or love. Sunrise Horse Rescue is the only non-profit organization in Napa County dedicated to saving such horses and providing them with forever homes. Children and adults in the community gain life-skills by assisting in the rehabilitation of these horses and provide them with the loving attention they so deserve.

Sunrise Horse Rescue was founded in November of 2007 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We are located in the heart of the Napa Valley, in beautiful Saint Helena, California.

Our Mission: to provide a sanctuary for rescued abused and neglected horses in Napa and Sonoma Counties as well as provide students of all ages with life enhancing skills derived from the care and rehabilitation of the horses.

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Elite Auctions to attend Consulting for Benefit Auctioneers Workshop in Atlanta

Post author By eliteauctions
Post date July 31, 2013

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!)