Gala Gal, Inc

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Hillary H

May 15, 2026

Working with Jenelle was absolutely amazing! She helped guide us every step of the way and made the entire process feel manageable and exciting. Since it was all of our first times fundraising, we truly appreciated how willing she was to share ideas, answer questions, and provide support throughout the event planning process. Thanks to her expertise and guidance, we raised far more money than we ever expected. Jenelle was organized, creative, encouraging, and an absolute pleasure to work with. We highly recommend working with her for any event or fundraising needs!

Owner's reply
Hillary, wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience planning your 100th Anniversary Gala! No one could have guessed it was anyone's first time planning a black-tie event: you blew past the sponsorship goal, sold so many tickets there wasn't room for 1 more person, and had sky-high live auction bidding. A job very well done by you and the entire JLT planning team. It was an honor to be a part of the celebration. JT

Maritza R

December 1, 2025

As the Event Manager for the New Beginnings "Dancing Under the Stars" Gala on November 8th in Clermont, FL, I cannot recommend the "Gala gal" auctioneer enough. She was absolutely amazing to work with and was instrumental in making our event incredibly successful and memorable. From the start, her professionalism and communication were outstanding. I greatly appreciated her open, clear communication and the extensive knowledge and strategic insights she brought to our staff meetings. On the night of the gala, she truly transformed into an energetic, magnetic force. Her ability to connect with the audience and use positive persuasion was phenomenal, successfully encouraging generous giving to our amazing cause. I will exclusively be seeking her assistance for any future galas I manage. If you want a successful, high-energy, and professionally executed auction, look no further!

Owner's reply
Maritza, Wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience working with me. It was such a smooth planning process with so many engaged committee members. Thank you for all you did to handle the event details - there were so many and it all came out perfectly. I look forward to working with you again. JT

Adum A

November 17, 2025

Don't think twice about it, book the Gala Gal TODAY! We've partnered with Jenelle twice now for our local public school fundraising event, and not only does she get the live auction prices UP during the event (which exceeded our fundraising goal), she provides strategic advice for flow, item management, and many many tips for success! Her experience is invaluable!

Owner's reply
Thank you, Sarah! Truly, the galas ran so smoothly thanks to your fantastic attention to detail and flair for design. And your school's parents get an A+ for bidder participation - I've never seen so many bid paddles go up at one time! Thanks for having me on your team. JT

Jeremy E

November 13, 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Janelle at our New Beginnings Gala this past weekend, and she completely exceeded every expectation! Going into the event, our team was fairly unfamiliar with the live auction process—but from start to finish, Janelle guided us with such professionalism, energy, and heart that it felt effortless. She added dynamic elements to the evening that not only kept our guests fully engaged but also helped us raise more funds than ever before! Her ability to read the room, inspire generosity, and bring excitement to every moment made a world of difference. If you’re looking for someone who is knowledgeable, entertaining, and incredibly thorough, do yourself and your team a favor—book Janelle. She’s a true professional who turns fundraising into a fun, unforgettable experience.

Owner's reply
Jeremy, that's awesome, thank you! We definitely had a great night of fun and fundraising. As emcee you absolutely killed it - great voice, great presence, great energy (even dancing!) - you are all the things it's so hard to find in an emcee. And of course you're an amazing ambassador for NB. It is my pleasure to support the transformational work you do. JT

Jamila S

November 12, 2025

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Jenelle for her extraordinary role in making our Annual Dancing Under the Stars Gala the most successful event we’ve ever hosted! Jenelle was far more than an auctioneer — she was a true partner in every step of the process. She attended committee meetings, offered expert guidance on how to craft our auction asks, identified key places to solicit donations, and even informed the structure of our event presentation and PowerPoint. Her insight, professionalism, and generosity of time made a tremendous difference. From start to finish, Jenelle was a key component in the event’s success — contributing not only to its profitability, but also to the organization, energy, and seamless flow of the evening. Thanks to her leadership and enthusiasm, our live auction raised vital funds that are now helping even more families and individuals facing housing instability, food insecurity, and financial hardship. We simply can’t recommend her highly enough. Jenelle is phenomenal — a gifted professional with a heart for service — and we are so grateful for the impact she made on our mission and community.

Owner's reply
Jamila, wow, thank you! It's been great to work with you now for two different nonprofits. You're an excellent leader - motivating, gracious, and determined! Last Saturday's event was pure magic, and I think we can raise even more next year after the ideas shared at today's recap. Thank you for bringing me on board, JT

Caroline M

September 24, 2025

I can’t say THANK YOU enough to Jenelle for everything she put into our event! From all the prep-work ahead of time, to her enthusiasm and guidance with our volunteers, to her outstanding efforts on stage, she truly went above and beyond. Jenelle brought incredible energy and helped us raise dollars from a tougher crowd, and we’ve already heard countless compliments from both guests and staff about how great & motivating she was. She made such a positive difference compared to past events, and I highly recommend her to any nonprofit considering! I look forward to partnering with the Gala Gal again next year.

Owner's reply
Caroline, thank you so much for your kind words! It turned out to be a great event, and you were a major part of that. I really enjoyed working with you and your team during the months of planning. Thank you for having me as your auctioneer partner, and I look forward to doing it all again next year.

Mike E

April 1, 2025

Jenelle is absolutely, amazing when it comes to benefit auctions in fundraising. She is also very knowledgeable and helpful, when it comes coaching and mentoring new benefit auctioneers. Whether you are looking for a benefit auctioneer and fundraiser in the Florida area or help with growing your auction and fundraising business. Janelle is the "go to" person to contact. You will be glad that you did!

Owner's reply
Mike, thank you! It's been great getting to know you and helping you along on your benefit auction business journey. Thank you for what you do to help others.

Denise B

March 5, 2025

Jenelle took lead straight away. She has come to our Non-profit this year and she brought great ideas on how to raise funds. She got our guests up off their seats and got them in full swing participating We look forward to continuing our relationship with her in the future.

Owner's reply
Denise, Thank you for sharing your experience. Your crowd was fun, and I can see big things in your future events! Thanks for having me, JT

Latasha K

January 23, 2025

We had the pleasure of collaborating with Jenelle for our nonprofit's annual gala (Equality Florida), and we couldn't be more impressed! From start to finish, her professionalism was exceptional. Jenelle brought a wealth of fundraising expertise to the table, offering valuable guidance on how to structure the auction and even helping us identify amazing items and unique ideas to maximize our fundraising efforts. On the night of the event, Jenelle absolutely captivated the crowd with her witty stage presence and engaging style, making the auction not only a success but also an enjoyable experience for all involved. Her energy and charisma had the room buzzing, which was key in driving up bids and creating a fun, competitive atmosphere. What truly set Jenelle apart, however, was her support throughout the entire planning process. She was always available to offer advice, answer questions, and ensure that everything ran smoothly. Thanks to her expertise, our gala was a huge success, and we were able to raise significantly more than expected (our highest grossing live auction EVER). I Highly recommend Jenelle for any nonprofit event—truly a top-notch professional!

Owner's reply
Wow, thank you so much! You are a rock star and played such a pivotal role in the event’s success. I truly enjoyed working with you and can’t thank you enough for your contributions. Meeting you was a highlight of the planning process! JT

Julie W

May 21, 2024

I love working with Jenelle! She is professional, knowledgeable, and helped us exponentially increase more revenue. I have worked with her numerous times over the years and am always impressed.

Owner's reply
Julie, I love working with you, too! You're always on top of details and so easy to partner with on fundraisers. Thank you for all you did for this last event, and I look forward to doing it again! JT

Becca C

June 27, 2023

We have had the absolute pleasure of working with Jenelle Taylor from Gala Gal as the auctioneer for the Safari Under the Stars fundraiser at Brevard Zoo for over five years, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome. Jenelle's professionalism, charisma, and extraordinary talent turned our event into an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. From the moment we began planning our fundraiser, Jenelle proved to be an exceptional partner. She took the time to understand our organization's mission and goals, and she seamlessly incorporated them into the auction program. Jenelle's passion for our cause was evident in her enthusiasm and dedication, and it truly resonated with our guests. During the event, Jenelle's vibrant energy electrified the room. She captivated the audience with her engaging presence, effortlessly guiding us through the auction process. Her command of the crowd and ability to create excitement and anticipation made the bidding process enjoyable and thrilling. Jenelle's gift for storytelling and her infectious sense of humor kept everyone entertained, ensuring a lively and entertaining atmosphere throughout the evening. Jenelle's expertise in the art of auctioneering is truly exceptional, and her ability to assess the room and adapt her approach accordingly is remarkable. Whether it was an intimate conversation or an energetic bidding war, Jenelle effortlessly navigated the dynamics of the event, ensuring that every moment was enjoyable and successful. Her skills were instrumental in maximizing the fundraising potential for our Safari Under the Stars event. The impact of Jenelle's efforts was tangible and far-reaching. Thanks to her incredible talent and tireless dedication, we surpassed our fundraising goals, allowing us to make significant strides in supporting Brevard Zoo's mission. The funds raised will have a lasting and positive impact on the important conservation initiatives we undertake. If you're in need of an auctioneer who can bring excitement, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to your cause, we wholeheartedly recommend Jenelle Taylor from Gala Gal. Her ability to connect with the audience, elevate the event atmosphere, and drive remarkable results is truly unparalleled. Working with her was an absolute pleasure, and we look forward to collaborating with her again. Thank you, Jenelle, for an unforgettable evening that will continue to make a difference for Brevard Zoo.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for taking the time to sum up our past few years working together. It’s been better each year, and I love working with you and helping the Zoo!

Angela E

May 12, 2023

I am an event coordinator but had not yet had the opportunity to coordinate a live or silent auction and needed to for my Parish's annual fundraising Gala. I found Jenelle on my search for an auctioneer and am so happy to have found her. She helped me in strategizing, finding items, pre-event fundraising, and then killed it on the night of the event. She had never attending any other parish event but knew our community inside and out. She did her research and immediately felt just like one of us! It was amazing to watch her lead a room. Parishioners are still talking about how wonderful she was at our annual Gala. I cannot recommend her enough!

Owner's reply
Angela, Thank you, your event was so much fun! The audience really played along and we had a lot of laughs. It was a pleasure to help the parish.

Lynn I

May 11, 2023

Jenelle took our annual event to the next level and really got our audience engaged. It was fun, upbeat and impactful because of her participation. Thank you Jenelle!

Owner's reply
Thank you, Lynn. You had a great crowd that surprised us all with their generosity. It was such a fun luncheon!

Barbara S

March 17, 2023

Jenelle was extremely involved with the preparations regarding the auction items for our event as well as the Giving From the Heart. She spent a considerable amount of time doing background research on our organization, our event and detail research on our auction items. With attention to detail, she used our cocktail hour to inform our guests on the details of auction items. We got very positive reaction on Jenelle’s direct but not intrusive style of auctioneering. Our guests were comfortable and treated with respect while being encouraged to donate. Hope to work with her again! Exceptional talent.

Owner's reply
Barbara, thank you so much. You brought together a wonderful and generous group of supporters. It was a beautiful night!

Humane S

November 21, 2022

Jenelle was a phenomenal auctioneer for our Ties and Tails Gala. Her dedication before, during and after our event was top notch. She jazzed up lots of excitement for our live auction items and helped us exceed our fundraising goal. We highly recommend Gala Gal, Inc to anyone looking for a passionate, entertaining, and professional auctioneer to help raise money at their next fundraising event. We will be booking her again next year!

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing our story! It was a pleasure to work together, and those wine offerings were such a big hit that your auction soared. Looking forward to our next gala, JT

Gena V

June 6, 2022

We are so thankful for the help and guidance Jenelle from Gala Gal provide to our school throughout our auction! Jenelle was a wealth of information and provide much needed support through the entire process. Jenelle was a key component in executing a wonderful and successful live auction!

Owner's reply
Gena, thank you! It's been great to work with you over the years, and I'm so happy that our strategy with this year's Heart Call was a grand slam. Looking forward to partnering with you again! JT

Barbara S

June 3, 2022

A wonderful experience from start to finish! A superior auctioneer and, in addition, she is a terrific resource for ideas and suggestions. Extremely detailed, great follow-up, and provides personalized and tailored services. Our organization has engaged the Gala Gal for our major fundraising events for several years now and we will continue to do so for many years to come. A super talented and experienced professional all the way! A++++++

Owner's reply
Barbara, this is so kind, thank you. It has been a great pleasure to help you and Milagro Center to celebrate successes to date and build for the future. Here's to more years! JT

Hardy S

March 18, 2022

Jenelle has an amazing wealth of knowledge on how to create a successful fundraising event. If your nonprofit is considering a charitable auction or wants to increase the results of the auction you have-The Gala Gal is THE go-to expert you should be working with!

Owner's reply
Thank you, Hardy! I had a great time fielding questions on your AFP webinar this week. Happy to help anytime.

Laura M

March 18, 2022

Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) has retained Jenelle as the auctioneer for our annual fundraiser for the past four years. Jenelle does not just show up the evening of the event. She works with our organization for months prior, providing expert guidance around the decisions which maximize donor engagement. This year was the most successful fundraiser in the history of our nonprofit. We attribute a large part of this achievement to Jenelle's involvement, her experience as an auctioneer, preparation, familiarity with our donor base and of course, the energy she generates in the room. We highly recommend her.

Owner's reply
Laura, thank you. ARC does such amazing things not just for Sarasota but for multiple surrounding counties as well. Countless animals (and owners!) have better lives because of ARC services. Thanks for all you do! JT

Brittny F

January 3, 2022

Jenelle provided exceptional support to our organization as we prepared for our live auction. Her on-site involvement the day of our event was wonderful. Her professionalism and expertise is unmatched. She instantly connected with our guests, and as a result we had a very successful event. Thank you!

Owner's reply
Brittny, thank you! It was such a pleasure to work with you, and the event was beautiful! Looking forward to next December :)

Laurie H

December 22, 2021

Jenelle is a 5-star plus! It's all the little details and preparation that make the organization's fundraising event soar. Her commitment to excellence can be observed in the final event experience. The sooner you bring Jenelle in to an event the better, this allows her share & implement experiences and best practices.

Owner's reply
Thank you, Laurie! I appreciate how very easy it is to work with you, and of course the great support from you and your team. Anyone would be lucky to work with you!

Robin S

December 14, 2020

Our annual in person fundraising event was canceled in the spring. We thought that was it until next year, until Janelle suggested we hold a virtual event. Being technology novices, we weren't sure. Janelle said she would help us. And, she followed through and guided us all the way from step 1 to our successful result. Janelle is knowledgeable, professional, detail oriented, creative and fun to work with. Our event exceeded expectations! We look forward to working with Janelle in the future. Robin Sathan

Owner's reply
Robin, your attention to detail REALLY helped! Congrats on such a fun event :) JT

Trisha B

June 17, 2020

Gala Gal's knowledge, professionalism, and passion is next level. If you are looking for a partner to grow your in-person event or virtual event, look no further. Her strategies and execution will take your event to the next level.

Owner's reply
Same, Trisha, same! You’re a blessing to everyone in Greater KC!

Eve O

June 11, 2020

Jenelle was professional and amazing to work with. She provided A++++ service from start to finish and made me feel as if I was the only event she was working on. Her passion really shows and I can't wait to work with her again!

Owner's reply
Ahh, that's awesome, thanks, Eve! You are that rare mix of big picture visionary and attention to detail. Let's do it again in October!

Mary D

March 14, 2020

Jenelle has given our annual fundraising event new life! Our numbers are up since we started working with her, but even more than that, the guests at the event pull me aside to tell me how great she is! Jenelle brings her experience and calming presence to us during the planning process and then she brings the audience to life at the event. We couldn't ask for more!

Owner's reply
Ahh, thanks Mary, that’s so great! We’ve had great results and you have terrific supporters. Plus, you’re awesome :;

Ashley W

March 13, 2020

I'm a HUGE FAN! Jenelle has been a great resource - joining our largest gala of the year 3 years ago. She is helpful in the event planning process beyond the actual live production - although she is a vibrant personality who brings a great deal of energy to our event. We identify her as part of our events team - attending committee meetings, being available to strategize and guide our team and committee along the way. I would and do recommend Jenelle at every opportunity. She does her homework. She knows our organization well. She makes it personal and isn't just an auctioneer. If there is any hesitation - stop! Pick up the phone and book her now!

Owner's reply
Oh, that’s awesome, Ashley, thanks for all of that! The work you do is essential and compassionate. Let’s do more of it!

Marci G

March 13, 2020

Jenelle is a hard worker, very conscientious and a caring person. She knows her job and gets the work done. Marci

Owner's reply
Ahhh, thank you, Marci! It’s been great to work with you over the years :)

Nancy L

March 12, 2020

We have been using Jenelle's auciton services for more than five years and gotten terrific results. She is very warm, intelligent, and extremely knowledgeable. Jenelle knows how to get along well with all sorts of personality types, so she works exceptionally well with our gala committee. We could not and would not run our gala auction without her expertise.

Owner's reply
Thanks, Nancy! I love JP, and especially our committee work days :)

Karen D

March 12, 2020

I am privileged and honored to be able to recommend the greatest auctioneer imaginable! For years she has conducted Brevard Zoo's live auction for its annual major fundraiser, with "beyond imagination" results. Gala Gal is talented, brilliant, knowledgeable, always available and a sheer joy to work with. My recommendation is unequivocal!. She is a master!

Owner's reply
Karen, I love your event and love working with you! Baby kangaroos for the win!

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Archive for: Better Buyers

Large Live Auction Handout

February 12, 2025 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

When I teach my 3-day BOOTCAMP for Benefit Auctioneers class to aspiring fundraisers across the country, one part of Tab 1 is an entire seminar condensed into a few pages called “65 Ways to Create Prepared Bidders.” Yes, there are literally at least 65 ways that you and your auctioneer can creatively promote your live auction items and get your attendees educated and excited for what’s next.

One of the simplest, cheapest and most effective is a large Live Auction Handout. The one shown fully explains 10 items and has an image for each. We choose to do this on a 11″ x 14″ sheet so that the text is actually readable, but you could use both sides of a smaller size. This is inexpensive and practical because it can be edited up to the final day for accuracy (instead of catalog descriptions written 2 weeks prior).

THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE TO PREPARING YOUR GUESTS TO GIVE. Seriously, a little louder for those in the back, as they say. You get one night, once a year. Do everything you can to create prepared bidders who are excited about the upcoming opportunities instead of dreading your auction.

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Great Ideas, Live Auctions

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part Two

March 11, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

See Part One for 3 things you can do to (hopefully) safeguard your gala and stop this from happening, but, if it happens, here’s what you can do:

(Excerpt from a recent conversation with a client:)

I would
-start by trying to address the exact issue: is the winning bidder just now realizing the blackout or expiration dates? If so, contact the donor to see if you have any wiggle room. Is the amount of the purchase too much at one time? Offer to break up their total into payments. Is the top bidder claiming, “It wasn’t me?” Show him or her your back-up confirmation system, whether clerk sheet, signature, video of the auction, or all 3. Did anyone from your team have a conversation with the winner immediately after the purchase? Your bidder may still back out, but make sure you’ve done all you can, because trying to sell an item after the event can be a headache.

If you’ve tried your best to be diplomatic and solve the issue to no avail, ask the person who no longer wants their live auction item if they’d like to donate the item back and instead make a 100% tax-deductible straight donation to your organization. I’ve seen this done multiple times.

If you still end up with the auction item, you now have to monetize it somehow.

Is there an upcoming event you can use it for? Will the expiration (if applicable) still be far enough in advance? If that event isn’t suited for this size or type of prize as a live auction item, could it become a raffle that you sell chances to win for over time? (check your local raffle statutes).
Can you sell it internally, to a board member or staff member or volunteer?
If you have to open it back up for bidding or buying, try the guests who were in the room and heard the promotion/saw the images.
Email every table host individually and say something like
“Thank you for attending and supporting us! We had a wonderful night and are so thankful for you and your guests.We have some exciting news! We have something in the works where guests may be able to still place a bid for a _________________ valued up to _____________. We’ve spoken with (donor) and the offering would be___________________________. (Our auctioneer thinks) there may have been a guest at your table bidding during the Live Auction, and we wanted to extend this opportunity. If you know of a guest who had been bidding, we’d love to share this updated info with him or her.”

If you don’t get any responses from that, you can put the item on your website or an online bidding platform to find a new offer (or two or three).

As I said to my client, “I’m sorry this happened. Sometimes people are…people.”

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Board members, Consulting, GALA GAL Case Study, Live Auctions

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part One

- Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

It happens.

Not very often, but it happens.

Sometimes it’s because the person drank too much. Beware of Open Bar combined with a too-late live auction. It’s an urban myth that you should get your guests drunk so they “bid more.” Drunk is NOT the goal, should never be the goal. The guideline fundraising professionals use is “Two drinks good, 3 drinks bad.” Get your fundraising FINISHED before your guests have finished a third drink. People who’ve had too much to drink (more than 2-3) tend to be louder, talkative, self-absorbed, unable to focus on the larger agenda of the whole room, and -in extreme cases -not thinking clearly. Oh they might bid, but they’re the first ones to cry “buyer’s remorse” and refuse to pay, leaving you with a multi-thousand dollar auction item and no crowd left (on Monday after the event) to sell it to.

There are other reasons people refuse to honor their auction bid, and there are a few ways you can minimize your risk, so start building these safeguards into your next event:

Videotape your live auction and paddle raise appeal. If you’ve got them on video raising their Bid Number, it will be harder to claim it was a mistake.
Get an instant confirmation after each item is sold. We often create a separate invoice for each live auction item and a runner gets an immediate “Print, Phone, Signature” – printed name, phone and confirming signature acknowledging the item and the purchase price. If using mobile bidding, one of the reps can go to each winner and immediate confirm acceptance by asking for his/her phone number to tie that item to an account on file.
Make sure your clerks are writing down the back-up bidders, too, in case you need to reach out to them after the event. (Side note: remember that ALL bidders during your live auction – everyone who raises a bid number – was trying to give you money that night, and only a few were the final winning bidders. It’s a GREAT idea to follow up with all bidders after the event and thank them, see if you can interest them in supporting in another way, invite them to join the committee for next year’s auction, etc.)

Despite all of your efforts, someone calls on Monday and backs out/won’t honor their bid. Now what?

Check out Part Two…

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions

►Cruise Raffle

August 23, 2017 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Selling chances to win for that cruise or yacht trip!

Ah, the Chance to Win, doesn’t most every event have one?

Of course, the very first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with your state’s (and sometimes city) raffle, gaming, gambling, drawing statutes.

Did you know that in Florida, you can’t require anyone to pay for a ticket?

Print out the Florida statute here.

Once you know the rules, this is a great option for the “blinky lights” pin to show who bought a chance to win (and, obviously, who hasn’t yet).

Do you know that Holland America has a reduced-price program that your nonprofit might qualify for? It’s a great program with a reasonable fixed cost, and never expires. Check it out here.

If you’re selling chances to win a cruise or a yacht excursion, instead of generic pins consider these cute things, found at FlashingBlinkyLights.com. It’s themed, flashy, and if you don’t want to pin into guests’ fancy clothes, then simply attach each to a lanyard or a wrist-tie ribbon like my client.

Here’s to selling those chances and raising big money!

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Other Money Makers, Raffles/Chance Drawings

►”Lucky Line” with Mobile Bidding

August 16, 2017 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

photo of mobile bidding incentive caption

Using Mobile Bidding? Add an incentive to get guests to Bid More!

Do you use the “Lucky Line” for your traditional silent auction bids on paper?

It’s a way to encourage folks to be more generous, give a little more, just jump down a few bidding lines rather than the next bid available. I’ve got an explanation in a viewable Google doc here.

For years we (the benefit auctioneer community) have been trying to replicate this bidder incentive with handheld mobile/text bidding, but to date most mobile technology companies haven’t figured out a way to virtually highlight only bids past a certain point, and then segregate just those for a random winner.

And then my new client shared a semi-solution!

While the one “who makes the most bids” isn’t random and may not encourage as many people to try for the prize as the Lucky Line highlighting does, it certainly is trackable in mobile bidding reports, AND worth celebrating and rewarding! Using the technique above, the organization rewards participation, not dollars, which is an equalizer of sorts.

How have you figured out ways to incentivize more bidding using technology?

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Other Money Makers, Silent auctions, Technology

►Mobile Bidding Considerations

July 7, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Auction Bidding is Enhanced by Displays

Today a client asked me

“Quick question – mobile bidding. Does it enhance an auction? Have you seen increased participation (read larger bids) utilizing mobile bidding?”

and I replied:

Good question!

Typically mobile only makes sense when there are a lot of attendees, a lot of auction items (100+) and the silent auction revenue is $30,000+.

Pros:

IF people use it, they can set max bids and not have to either log back in or walk to a table – most mobile bidding systems can just continue to bid for them up to a set maximum.

Auction displays can take less space

Everyone can see all the auction items if they wish (on a device) without walking around

You can close the bidding later

Cons:

Typically costs $3000-$5000+

Either you have to pay for one of the mobile company’s staff to be on site (could add $1000), or you’re 100% responsible for any kinks or problems. Unless you have a savvy tech person, this could add significant stress.

It can be hard to get people to engage in mobile bidding for several reasons:

~Some require downloading an app, though some just have a web address people key in

~Some say mobile is less social, since people move around less and must spend time staring at their phones

~Requires either than people use their cell phone data plans (and battery life) or the club has a reliable wi-fi connection that’s open to everyone; some mobile systems rely on wi-fi and can get bogged down or crash

Results:

Whether or not mobile adds revenue above and beyond the cost of using the technology is a source of heated debate! Just a few weeks ago auctioneers from around the country shared mixed reviews in an online forum. When the technology works as promised, is adopted by the attendees and gets used, certainly there are benefits to being able to shop from anywhere in the venue and not have to physically revisit a bid sheet.

On the other side, paper silent auctions have worked for decades by generating that person-to-person, last-minute competitive bidding atmosphere, especially when your professional auctioneer is making announcements and making the auction closings fun for everyone in the room.

What mobile definitely does is eliminate the need to clerk, record, tally or key in silent auction purchases once bidding closes, and for some groups, that fact alone makes the technology worth several thousand dollars, just to eliminate checkout!

There are 10-12 major mobile bidding companies nationwide, all scrambling for footing and market share. All have demos you can do or samples you can view.

Industry software leader Greater Giving has great educational info with just about everything you need to know about mobile here.

Because of the many pros and cons (and how those affect your overall revenue/schedule/logistics), it’s something you should ask your professional auctioneer about as early as possible.

Like this great client of mine did! Thanks for the question, Sara 🙂

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions, Technology

►Raffle pricing

May 1, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Fingertips for $40

Recently a client asked me about raffle (Chance to Win drawings) pricing.

“I found this on-line as a guideline to selling tickets. Does this make sense?

Raffle ticket sales: 3 tickets for $5, 6 tickets for $10 and finger tip- to-finger tip $20″

Here’s my take:

1. Raffle chance pricing depends on the value of the prizes to be won.

2. Calculate the math equation: How much do you want the raffle to raise (have a goal), who will be asked to buy tickets and what pricing feels exciting to them, and how many tickets (at what level) can you expect to sell? PRICE x QUANTITY = MONEY RAISED

3. In the example you found, “3-$5 and 6-$10” are the same odds, so there’s no incentive to spend $10 rather than $5.

4. The PURPOSE of unequal odds (increased chances for paying more) is to wildly slant the odds in favor of those more generous. We want to encourage folks to donate more. In Florida (and other states-check your state gaming statutes*) all chances to win do not have to be equal.

5. So, I like

3 – $10, 8 for $20, or fingertip-to-fingertip for $40.

That way the focus is just on selling $40 worth, and if someone is considering $20, have them grab a friend and get tons more chances by splitting the fingertip-to-fingertip (which might be 40-ish tickets)

If the prize(s) are smaller, you could go with 2-$5, 7-$10, fingertips for $20

*A reminder to always know and follow your state regulations on raffles, which often fall under gambling policies. In some states, nonprofits are limited to one per year or need a special license. In Florida (and other states) drawings are required to have a “no purpose necessary to be entered” option, which is why setting any pricing for a chance drawing must be disclosed as a “suggested donation” See the Florida statute here, and happy fundraising!

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics, Other Money Makers, Raffles/Chance Drawings, Templates

►Another reason you need a female auctioneer!

April 17, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Study says men give more when the person fundraising is attractive

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

►Silent Auction – Bidder Blockers and Sheet Stealers

March 19, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Don’t let those “bid blockers” and “sheet stealers” ruin your auction!

If you’ve never seen one at your event, you’re lucky! While it’s great to have fast and furious bidding on your silent auction items, and it’s fun to watch that competition, too many times I’ve heard (or seen) heated bidders try to bend or break the rules of fair play.

I’ve seen Bid Blockers who square their shoulders and won’t let anyone else get to the bid sheet to bid against them, or Sheet Stealers who actually pick up or hide the bid sheet and try to sneak it back on the table right before closing time! I’ve actually seen someone rip up a bid sheet…twice! The same guy!

Anyway, if every year a few of your classroom projects or priceless opportunities create more bad blood than goodwill among your bidders, you’ve got a few options: either move those items to the main Live Auction, where peer pressure and encouragement will spur on the bidding, or post signs and make announcements reminding people that if your auctioneer sees a bidding war heat up, she plans to step over there and see who really wants it the most with an on-the-spot, mini live auction. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s fair.

But make sure to warn people first. And, of course, if you use mobile bidding for your silent auction, you’ll never have this issue again 🙂

What are your auctions most highly contested items year after year? How have you solved it?

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions

►Silent Auction, or Mini On-the-Spot Live Auction?

March 10, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

photo of easels with poster-sized bid sheets

Draw attention to a row of Can’t Miss items

What to do when you have so many great auction items that you can’t even fit them all in to the time slotted for the Live Auction?

Most live auctions at charity events are 30-45 minutes, and with an industry average of 3-4 minutes per live auction sale, that means only 10-15 items make the Live Auction cut for many events.

What if you have 20 awesome items that you need to get in front of bidders? I suggest blowing up the bid sheets to 20″ x 30″ mounted on foam board, place them on easels in a very high traffic area, add signage, place 1-2 full-time volunteers who never leave and can answer all questions about the items, and then get into the mindset of a county fair carnival barker, “Ladies and Gentlemen, don’t miss this awesome opportunity right here. Step right up to bid on ….” You get the idea.

Sometimes, I place these easel items in a semi-circle directly in front of the ballroom doors, and I let the crowd know that these items -while available for normal bidding during the silent auction – will be closed by on-the-spot, mini live auction between 7:40-7:45, immediately before the doors open for dinner. All interested in bidding need to gather here at 7:40 to get a last chance to be the winning bidder.

By doing this, we get as close as we can to the energy, excitement and ego of a live auction even though there wasn’t time in the program. As guests gather, I gets everyone’s attention in the vicinity and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re now going to close these 5 SUPER silent auction items by mini live auction. They are such great items that we didn’t want anyone to miss the opportunity, so whether you’ve already bid or not, everyone is welcome to bid right now as we close these awesome items. First up, you’ve been bidding on Item 901, 1 week RCI Timeshare anywhere in the world, valued up to $1800. The current bid is $1200, but who’ll go $1300, do I hear $1300, yes and now $1400…” Each item will take just seconds to close, and inevitably we’ll raise several hundred more dollars, remind folks that a professional auctioneer will entertain them later, and generate auction closing excitement right before releasing the guests to dinner.
Win. Win. Win!

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions, Silent auctions

GALA GAL, Inc. Future-Focused Fundraising

Orgs We've Helped!

TEXT or CALL me!

Find me on LinkedIn!

VIDEO: Auction Style!

NAA Credentials

VIDEO: 1000 Guests!

The GALA 411 Blog

Editor of this How-to Charity Auction book

“70-Point Venue Checklist” FREE DOWNLOAD

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Archive for: Better Buyers

Large Live Auction Handout

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part Two

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part One

►Cruise Raffle

►”Lucky Line” with Mobile Bidding

►Mobile Bidding Considerations

►Raffle pricing

►Another reason you need a female auctioneer!

►Silent Auction – Bidder Blockers and Sheet Stealers

►Silent Auction, or Mini On-the-Spot Live Auction?

GALA GAL, Inc. Future-Focused Fundraising

Orgs We've Helped!

TEXT or CALL me!

Find me on LinkedIn!

VIDEO: Auction Style!

NAA Credentials

VIDEO: 1000 Guests!

The GALA 411 Blog

Editor of this How-to Charity Auction book

“70-Point Venue Checklist” FREE DOWNLOAD

Find It Now

>

Archive for: Better Buyers

Large Live Auction Handout

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►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part Two

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►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part One

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►Cruise Raffle

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►”Lucky Line” with Mobile Bidding

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►Mobile Bidding Considerations

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►Raffle pricing

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►Another reason you need a female auctioneer!

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►Silent Auction – Bidder Blockers and Sheet Stealers

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►Silent Auction, or Mini On-the-Spot Live Auction?

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