►They call me…
May 31, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BASComments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Consulting
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Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Consulting
” Anyway, I just wanted to tell you, yet again, that you are a master beyond words. First was the way you pushed so successfully through a couple of “slowdowns” in the bidding on ended up gaining top dollar winning bids. Second, he thought your set-up with such energized and animated spotters/encouragers in the audience was amazing. Also, I think there were around 700 people in the audience…so know that’s a huge crowd to manage. Bottom line, I saw Jeanne at breakfast yesterday morning (was with our group of eight) and she asked us what we thought was the highlight of the event this year. I said it was YOU. Then, the rest of our group concurred. She shared that she had heard the same thing from others.” – Karen Davis, Brevard Zoo
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Board members, Live Auctions
I am delighted to recommend Jenelle Taylor as an auctioneer. We have been working with her for the past five years, and she has been sensational in every way. She works well with a multitude of different personalities on our gala committee, and she never gets flustered. Jenelle is a bundle of positive energy. She has a wealth of ideas and yet remains flexible and willing to try any ideas others may have. Jenelle is well- organized and a good communicator. She pays attention to every auction detail. Jenelle is bright, personable and fun-loving and her warmth shines through in everything she does. – Nancy Ludin, Jewish Pavilion
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions
Want tips on how to find charity events to support in your community? On the weekly FM radio show “The Auction Block” out of Phoenix, Arizona, I share 2 surefire ways to connect with fundraisers at a ticket price you can afford. Can’t afford much? I tell you how you can attend the best events in town for free! Check out the 40-minute interview here on The Auction Block Facebook page, or search for The Auction Block podcast, episode from 3/27/18. The charity event content starts about minute 17:00; before that I share how I went from middle school teacher to cruise ship auctioneer to GALA GAL!
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Board members, Charity
It’s that time of year again, when the biggest names in Benefit Auctions nationwide gather to share and learn.
Oh, yeah, that happens, too, but many of us go year after year to see our much loved peers and friends! You see, the benefit auctioneers are a very tight group.
In fact, I’m part of a connected international (and private) group of more than 1000 individuals who do fundraising auctions.
That means that at any time, I can reach out to professionals across the country – to check out a consignment provider, bounce off ideas, or mentor someone. I can even get feedback on your committee’s brilliant (or kooky!) new idea 🙂
This year, to shake things up a bit we gathered in Cancun, Mexico, and a good time was had by all. My presentation this year continues my streak of being featured as a presenter for our industry every other year since 2010. As you can imagine, we come away with new techniques to bring back home to you, our nonprofit partners!
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Consulting
What do you pay for your auctioneer, and how?
When you’re hiring someone who does fundraising auctions for a living, you know it’s an investment in your success.
You get 1 night, once a year to hold your event, and your auctioneer may be on the microphone longer than any other speaker! Choose the right look, the right personality, the right ambassador to be the face of your annual fundraiser.
I try to offer folks 3 options to reserve a date on the GALA GAL events calendar: an all-inclusive rate (good if you have a budget or will secure an Auction Sponsor), a retainer to get started and a percent of the Live Auction results generated, or, some events qualify to use the Buyer’s Premium, which includes your bidders in auction underwriting so that you can hire a professional auctioneer at little to no cost.
Can you afford to hire a professional auctioneer?
Can you afford NOT to? You don’t get a do-over for your big event. With at least 3 options, there’s a way for just about every organization to partner with a full-time fundraiser like me.
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Buyer's Premium, Consulting
A couple of years ago I asked many of my smart fundraising friends to contribute a top tip or piece of advice.
It turned out even better than I’d envisioned, as 50 auctioneers offered 42 different chapters to boost your benefit auction.
From Fund A Need to the Treasure Chest, ambiance to the alcohol curve, you can learn from professionals across the country, and everyone’s contact info is listed in case you have a question or just want to know more about their services.
My chapter is about the “Three Magic Words” that help you get just about anything donated. In fact, these words elevate your request from an all-too-common “ask” to an opportunity.
Ready? Here they are: feature, showcase and highlight. And the question? How would you like to be included?
Instead of begging for a donation, explain that – of all the possible businesses in town – for this event you’d like to “feature” ABC Business so you can “highlight” their great ____________ and “showcase” what they do to your prominent supporters and community members. “Our committee thinks more people should know about your terrific ____________, so we wanted to invite you to have one of the exclusive (another good word!) spots in our live (or silent) auction. How would you like to be involved?”
If they say “no,” thank them and say (to yourself), “Next.” They either see the opportunity or they don’t, and someone always will when you share how wonderful your cause is and how much you want to include them in your biggest 1 night, once-a-year event.
So just ask! And remember: feature, showcase and highlight.
P.S. You can order a BOOST book here for less than $30 shipped – use the code BOOST to save $5.
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions, Other Money Makers, Silent auctions
On Thursday, July 13th I flew to Columbus, Ohio, to see hundreds of auctioneer friends.
Friday the 14th I was honored to present a 90-minute session to my peers and colleagues, all about who is attracting attention and staying top of mind in our industry.
I then gave them more than 30 tools and ideas to build their benefit auction businesses across the country.
Could your nonprofit use help branding and marketing?
I’m a national expert on that, too 🙂
(And I work with nonprofits on affordable short-term contracts and monthly retainers, unrelated to auction galas. Just call me, 407-791-1360, or use the CONTACT link on the home page.)
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Consulting, Other Money Makers
Did you miss it?
I’m happy to speak to your board, your staff, or civic groups like Rotary, Kiwanis or chambers of commerce.
Of course I can talk about auctions, and how to best support the causes you believe in, but some people don’t know that I also speak nationally on branding and marketing.
Things are changing all the time in social media.
Isn’t it time you got some help?
Call me to chat: Jenelle @ 407-791-1360 cell
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Consulting, Grab Bag, social media, Technology
This might be my favorite video clip ev-er!
It starts at $100 and you’ll never guess where we end up 🙂
Watch the short VIDEO on my You Tube channel.
There’s a lot I love about this clip – this small crowd of 160 solid supporters, the clear joy of giving in the room, and the fact that I’ve done this event for years so we’ve built this great rapport!
(Sidenote: we really do have the best job in the world.)
Anyway, the winning bidder doesn’t even keep the hat! It’s all in fun, a vehicle for donations, and a few minutes we will all remember as a highlight. Can your event do that?
Sell more memories to make your event a signature celebration of your cause.
Not sure how? Just call me: 407-791-1360 in Tampa.
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Charity, Consulting, Live Auctions
Here’s a quick video on my You Tube channel from May 2017, when I sold just 2 live auction items (and raised double what we’d expected!)
Watch the VIDEO on You Tube, click here
There’s no one perfect answer to how many live auction items you should have.
I always ask my clients, “How long will your crowd pay attention?”
That’s a good place to start!
But it depends on if your event is a weeknight (ends earlier) or a weekend, what else you’re trying to accomplish that night, what your items are, if you have deep pockets and big spenders in the room, and several other factors.
Believe it or not, selling just 2 or 3 items is just as challenging as selling 18!
Call me (407-791-1360) and I’ll help you figure out how many items are best for your event.
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Live Auctions
This morning I read a piece entitled “Men Strive To Give More To Charity When The Fundraiser Is Cute.”
Believe it or not, researchers found that both men and women donated more to online campaigns after they saw how much others had given. The men, however, gave an even larger increase to attractive females.
If that happened just by looking at a photo of the female asking for donations, could it be that the effect is magnified in person? When you put a charismatic, attractive female auctioneer on stage and give her a microphone to engage people about your cause, might that increase the competitive bidding in your audience? Think about it, every single time he or she bids again, that’s more dollars raised for you!
Combining the “all eyes on me” aspect of live auctions with a smiling, friendly female face is your recipe for awesome auction results.
Just ask my clients!
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Better Buyers, Charity, Consulting, Live Auctions
A hearty Thank You to O.J. Pratt and all the Colorado auctioneers for warmly welcoming me to present at their Winter Conference this past January. Well, as warm as Denver can be in January, that is!
Since I’d also been one of their invited presenters in 2013, I’d already shared seminars with their members on Boosting Your Brand and 78 Ways to Better your Benefit Auction Business. This year I created 2 brand new seminars for the nearly 100 auctioneer attendees, coaching them on how to create valuable seminars for the public and how to tackle the avalanche of social media outlets in 2015.
I was also honored to serve as a judge for the annual Bid Calling Championship, which one of my BOOTCAMP course alumni (and Boost Your Benefit Auction book contributor) Doug Carpenter won! In addition, the rookie contest was won by another of my BOOTCAMP alumni, Jennifer Clifford.
Congrats to all, and thank you again for a wonderful, educational, fun-filled (if chilly!) trip.
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers
People often ask me about the Silent Auction Signage I use.
Providing much of the standard event signage is one of additional benefits I provide to my nonprofit clients. Why should each of my clients spend hundreds of dollars on signage they’ll only use once a year?
Instead, over the years I’ve purchased all kinds of handy signage, and I can pull from this stash and bring 8-12 signs for a client, saving them time, hassle and money. (With the added benefit that I know we’ll have good signs to add polish and professionalism!)
Ask your auctioneer if they provide signage that says:
-LIVE AUCTION
-SILENT AUCTION (or silent auction section names like SUPER SILENT, DON’T MISS, BLING THINGS, OUT ON THE TOWN, or many others)
-REGISTRATION (and/or EXPRESS CHECK-IN, REGISTERED ONLINE, WILL CALL, NEED TICKETS)
-CHECKOUT (and/or PAY HERE, CREDIT CARD CHECKOUT, CASH/CHECKS CHECKOUT, EXPRESS CHECKOUT, -DONATIONS ONLY, GET INVOICE HERE)
-PICK UP ITEMS (or ITEM HANDOVER)
-CHANCE TO WIN
-PURCHASE TICKETS
-BIG BOARD
If that’s not part of the services for the auctioneer you choose, then I hope these signage ideas help you to create your own signage and make it easy for your guests to experience all your event has to offer them!
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions, Silent auctions
August is wrapping up, winding down, and the Fall Fundraising Season is full of fantastic events! I’m currently working with nonprofits in Tampa, Naples and Orlando, catching up with returning clients and happy to add 3 new events so far this fall.
Just this week I’ve helped committee members select auction items, design bid cards, a choose mobile bidding provider, figure out how many volunteers they’ll need, edit the event timeline, and energize the Board! I’ve still got some dates open, so just shoot me an e-mail if you think I might be the one for you.
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers
I am so thankful to these four lovely ladies for joining me a few weeks ago for a fantastic live auction and scholarship Fund-a-Need for the 18th annual Starry Starry Night!
All 5 of us are Florida-licensed auctioneers with specialized training in fundraising, and they did an awesome job working the crowd as Bid Spotters for me.
Would your big event benefit from an all-female team?
Your auction doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. It can look like this 🙂
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Live Auctions, Other Money Makers
I was honored to be the auctioneer for a great event last Saturday.
This just appeared in my Inbox, and I can’t stop smiling! Thank you to DJ Ronny!
I have been a DJ and event producer in Orlando for over 15 years now and I have to say your auctioneer abilities at the Black and White Gala last Saturday was absolutely the best I’ve observed. Starting off with a giveaway contest to juice up the crowd and then working the room like the charming and consummate professional that you are, was brilliant. I have sat through so many agonizing charity auctions over the years where the idea of a root canal seemed like a pleasant alternative to the teeth pulling witnessed by “celebrity” or downright incapable auctioneers simply chosen because they were free or run the organization. You are proof positive that spending money for a professional is absolutely the best route to financial success in a live auction. I will be coming to you anytime I need such an amazingly talented auctioneer.
Sincerely,
Ron
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Charity, Live Auctions
So many exciting things are happening in my life since last May, and it started with a 1-Day business seminar in Tampa called “Key Person of Influence.”
I am thrilled to be accepted into such an incredibly high-achieving group of professionals, and during this 7-month journey we are going to manifest some crazy, ridiculous, industry-changing new developments. The wheels are already in motion to debut services for nonprofits and auctioneers that I have been dreaming about offering for more than six years.
Stay with me, folks. Big things are coming. Big. Huge.
Entrepreneurs, the 1-day KPI seminar can change your life. I took 15 pages of notes, met founder Daniel Priestley, and leaned in. Get your own goosebumps at Key Person of Influence.
Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Charity, GALA GAL Case Study