charity auction event Archives - Fundraising Auctioneers and Consultants

charity auction bidder raising bid paddle

Wondering if a live auction at your next fundraising auction event makes sense? Well, the simple answer is YES!!! Live auctions are not only huge money-makers but they provide a high energy excitement that is matched by nothing else. There are some critical elements to having a successful live auction at your nonprofit or school fundraiser. I have outlined the most important ones below.

1. Hire a professional fundraising auctioneer. DO NOT use a volunteer or inexperienced auctioneer here; your results will be much more dismal and your audience will feel like they are having their teeth pulled during the auction.

2. Fill your audience with people that have the means to support your cause. You have to have money in the room to have a great revenue outcome.

3. Procure desirable, higher dollar items to sell. Find out what your audience is interested in and the price range they can afford.

4. Don’t have too many items in your live auction. A good rule of thumb is to not exceed 30-45 minutes for your live auction. It takes me about 3 minutes per item so about 8-12 live auction items is perfect.

charity auctioneer and consultant mike grigg elite auctions

Live auctions at your fundraising auction event will be one of your biggest revenue generators. Whether you have three items or twelve you should be doing one.

Visit EliteFundraisingAuctions.com today to find out more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals!

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

What is a Benefit Auctioneer Specialist?

A fundraising auctioneer that goes the extra mile to earn his or her BAS designation is an auctioneer that you want working for your event. Not only do they receive special training that very few auctioneers attain, but this also is a great indicator of an auctioneer that will do whatever it takes to be on the cutting edge of the fundraising auction professional spectrum.

The following is the definition of Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) from the National Auctioneers Association:

[BAS is a two-part educational program which trains auction professionals to enhance their services to clients. Coursework focuses on the fundraising components of the benefit auction event, item acquisition, audience development, additional revenue items, contractual agreements, and public relations.

The BAS program is offered through the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) Education Institute and is taught by nationally recognized Auctioneers and professionals who serve the benefit auction industry.

Earning the BAS designation requires not only completion of the coursework, but also testing, submission of specialized reports and various experiential projects.

As a BAS graduate, we are among the less than one percent of Auctioneers throughout North America with specialized training in benefit auctions. To maintain this designation, each auctioneer and fundraising consultant holding a BAS designation must complete 24 additional hours of continuing education courses every three years.]

Here at Elite Auctions and Fundraising Services we are committed to staying on top of the latest trends so that we can provide the best possible service to all of our clients. We are proud to have the BAS designation behind our names and I would highly recommend that you utilize an auctioneer for your fundraising auction event that is also BAS designated.

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