Archive for: Charity

►They Provide Trips?

August 1, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Consignment.

You know, the companies that spam you, flood your Inbox trying to sound appealing and not pleading (but often failing), cold-calling, name-dropping (“we just worked with ________ auctioneer/organization”).

I’m not saying there aren’t trustworthy consignment partners out there, it’s just…there.are.so.many. Somehow – in a field that was already crowded with companies with basically identical trips and price points – lately even more wannabes have sprung up. Or maybe they’ve just gotten more aggressive.

So, how do you decide? First off, do you need to pay for an auction item? or multiple items? To keep the most money that your guests spend (ideally, 100%) then the auction items you offer must either be 100% donated or fully underwritten (paid for in advance) by a benefactor.

If you’re having trouble securing 100% donated items, ask your fundraising auctioneer what they’ve seen other groups do successfully. I typically share 8-10 ideas for 100% donated auction packages that sell for thousands of dollars.

If you decide you need more or flashier auction items, then make sure you’re checking out at least 3 consignment providers, and you’re asking questions, not of them, but asking others about them: success stories, horror stories, customer service wins and fails, ease of or problems with booking desired dates, alternate destination options, blackout dates, extensions and more.

Since most of the consignment companies seem so similar, put them on the spot and ask, “What is true about your company that can’t also be said by one of your competitors?”

Consignment can add money to your proceeds, but, let’s keep ’em honest.

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

►Virtual Galas Work!

December 16, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Here’s a review from an October online gala:

I have been chairing/co-chairing our Sarasota/Manatee area Annual Gala for eight years. October 4 was our first VIRTUAL meeting.
As you might imagine, my co-chair and I were new to the entire process. Jenelle took us by the hand and guided us through the amazing learning curve.
This was not the first time I worked with Jenelle. She was our live auctioneer in our 2019 event.
She was personally responsible for raising more money that we would have been able to do on our own. She knows what she is doing and always open to learn more!

Jenelle charged us a flat fee. Robin and I were fascinated by the amount of time she spent with us and how available she made herself.
She more than earned the amount she charged us in the last month alone!

Jenelle is a true professional, with an amazing amount of patience.

-Lucy

Comments are closed - Categories: Auctioneers, Charity, Consulting, Virtual Gala

►February Gala Themes

March 9, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

You’re in luck! One of the most elegant and beloved themes should be back on your radar – Hollywood’s Biggest Night! The decor and dress code are upscale and lux, the theme suggests all kinds of movie and celebrity tie-ins, and you can sell a Viewing Party buy-in opportunity in someone’s home for top dollar! I’m happy to chat about ways to wow your crowd, and – in the meantime – mark your calendars: 2021’s Academy Awards ceremony is set to take place Feb. 28 and 2022’s on Feb. 27.

Comments are closed - Categories: Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics

►A long-time client says…

June 17, 2018 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

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

►Radio Interview 3/27/18

April 1, 2018 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Interviewed on Money Radio

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

►Everything Silent Auction

October 11, 2017 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Auctioneer Jenelle Taylor on silent auctions

GALA GAL Jenelle Taylor has a series of short Youtube videos on silent auctions

Are you planning a silent auction? Is this your first one, or your 14th?

For a quick refresher on every way to streamline your process and earn the most money, make sure to check out this series of two-to-three minute videos on Youtube.

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

►Who’s the “Voice” of your nonprofit?

July 5, 2017 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Who’s the “voice” of your social media posts?

I’m a huge, huge fan of Entrepreneur magazine. In fact, if you’re not already following them on Facebook, seriously, click over there and do it right now.

I’ll wait.

It’s that important.

If you want to be smarter about, well – anything – you should be following Entrepreneur magazine on Facebook.

Their posts are 2- or 3-minute reads about stuff you want to know, and I guarantee you’ll see something each week you want to click on and open.

By the way, I don’t get anything for promoting them. I’m just a super fan.

When I was researching for my presentation to the Working Women of Central Florida, I came across this awesome article Entrepreneur mag posted, “22 Statistics That Prove the Value of Personal Branding.”

It’s about how we (people, you and me) connect better with people, not companies, and you’ll do yourself and your organization a 561% favor by letting your employee’s personalities show when they share posts about your cause.

Since you can control the tone, images and message you put out there, sit down and really think about how you want to be perceived. Is your org inspiring? Are your clients beautiful? Are your services useful? And isn’t life just funny sometimes? (NOTE: If you don’t yet know about FUBI, read about it here.)

You can even let different people shine in their elements. If you’ve got a stellar soul who can communicate all you want to say on all your platforms, give him or her a raise! Otherwise, try trusting your inner circle with the platform that best matches his or her personality, and see if you don’t get more likes, follows, and engagement from your fans.

Comments are closed - Categories: Board members, Charity, Consulting, Grab Bag, Other Money Makers, social media, Technology

►VIDEO – Selling an Inside Joke!

June 21, 2017 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

photo of auctioneer GALA GAL Jenelle Taylor

Sell More Memories, Less Stuff!

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

►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

►Give Day Tampa Bay!

May 6, 2014 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

May 6, 2014

Let’s DO this!

Please join me in helping great causes during this 24-hour fundraising challenge. Today, nonprofits in Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties who’ve registered for Give Day Tampa Bay will get a big boost in donations with your help.

Grab a friend, sit down with your kids, and simply click over to http://givedaytampabay.org/ and decide who should get your $25 (or more).

And don’t forget, numerous studies confirm that giving to charity usually increases your own happiness! How much money can greater Tampa Bay give in just one day?

Comments are closed - Categories: Charity, Other Money Makers

►Live Auction for the Black and White Gala in Orlando Oct. 19th

October 21, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Jenelle Taylor Auctioneer for the Gala October 19

Awesome live auction event in Orlando last weekend!

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

►”Big things. Big. Huge.”

September 3, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Book Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley

What will YOU do when you become a Key Person of Influence in the industry you love?

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

►Your Auction is like this Carousel

July 14, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Heartwarming story of calling in favors and working together creating a memorable, signature brand.

I had to smile at this lovely one-page story in today’s Parade newspaper insert, “Riding High: A Struggling Town Creates a Little Magic.”

I saw so many parallels to charities I work for:

affected by the economy
needing to reinvent itself
it began with one person’s idea
folks were skeptical at the start
started with only $150!

And I see several inspiring lessons in this uplifting tale:

get small parts of your big picture dream sponsored by supporters
use every person’s connections to call in favors and ask for whatever you need to be given (‘somebody’s aunt knows somebody’s uncle who comes down to lend a hand.’)
as parts of your larger project are completed, promote them around town for visibility
encourage lots of people in the community to get involved

If you think of your silent and live auction acquisition plan like this amazing carousel project, you can create an auction event for your guests that is unique to your organization and serves to raise your visibility in the community.

Think about what amazing auction package(s) you can design by calling in favors from your supporters. Your idea might be a behind-the-scenes experience at a sporting event or concert, an amazing private dining event with music, luxury transportation, and fine wines, or a “spa day for six” package. Brainstorm every aspect of the experience you’ll need donated, and then ask everyone to call in favors from folks they already know (no cold-calling required!). As you get great auction items confirmed, promote them on your website, on Twitter updates, and on your Facebook page.

You’ll gradually build support for unusual, creative auction offerings which raise your profile in the community and involve many supporters in your future success.

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

►Jazz Up Your Save-the-Date Cards!

July 8, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Creative social media spin on a boring Save the Date card

Do you send a Save-the-Date card to your mailing list? Do you send it as soon as you sign the contract for your venue, or wait until 2-3 months before your big day?

Here’s a great, creative example with a hip nod to our obsession with social media, available on Etsy for $35 http://tinyurl.com/etsysavethedatecard

This sample was part of the “10 Geeky Wedding Invitations” article http://tinyurl.com/geekyinvitations packed with fresh ways to get guests to save your special date on their social calendars.

Check it out, and this year, add some personality to your standard Save-the-Date card.

Comments are closed - Categories: Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics, Templates

►Dine Around the World auction idea

June 24, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Image courtesy of tungphoto/freedigitalphotos.net

One of my favorite ideas is Dine Around the World! Have the Board members or committee gather donations for 12 different types of cuisine, typically gift certificates for $100 or more, and sell it as one delicious culinary adventure anyone will enjoy 🙂

Try any combination, starting with

French, Brazilian, German, Japanese, Mexican, Cuban, Greek, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, African, British, Jamacian, Vietnamese, and many other yummy options!

Comments are closed - Categories: Charity, Consulting, Live Auctions, Silent auctions

►Selected as a Presenter, Summit 2013

June 13, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Selected as a presenter for the Benefit Auction Summit, National Auctioneers Association (NAA)

We’re celebrating!!

Just got word that the committee for the Benefit Auction Summit chose my session “62 Ways to Create More Prepared, Engaged Bidders”!

This is the only national conference specifically for fundraising auctioneers, and it is a BIG honor to present to such an accomplished group of professionals from across the country.

I’m excited to share the “62 Ways” 90-minute session because it’s all about helping my peers help YOU raise more money. We understand that you only have this 1 night, once a year to host your attendees, so we want to work with you to maximize every way to make it easy for people to spend money!

I’ll be covering

20 ways to create the best Live Auction display tables
22 things your auctioneer can do to help people get excited by the auctions and also
20 things you can do as the non-profit to help your audience come prepared to both attend AND spend.

The best part for you?

All of my GALA GAL clients – the organizations I help with their events – you get all 62 Ways to Create Prepared Bidders included, everyday, as part of our consulting relationship. (If you want this for your event, shoot me an e-mail to check if your date is available here.) You’re the reason I do what I do, and why I’m excited to share these ideas with other high-profile auctioneers across America.

To learn more about what Benefit Auctioneers do when they get together each year, you can find content from the Summit in 2010 (my presentation here), and I’ve shared some takeaways from the other presenters that year here and 2011 Summit here. Apparently I still have to post notes from last year!

Comments are closed - Categories: Auctioneers, Better Buyers, Board members, Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions

►”America’s Worst Charities”

June 10, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

“America’s Worst Charities” June 9, 2013 3-part series

Back in the headlines, and not in a good way.

“America’s Worst Charities” is the result of a yearlong collaboration between the Tampa Bay Times and California-based The Center for Investigative Reporting, the nation’s largest and longest serving nonprofit newsroom dedicated to watchdog journalism. CNN joined the partnership in March.

I’m all for investigative journalism, and I agree that this story needs to be told. We all want any unscrupulous groups to be exposed, so that America’s donated dollars go instead to groups where they’ll do the most charitable good.

We’ve talked about this before, however, lamenting the possibility that today’s overwhelmed reader takes in the negative sound bite “worst charities” without putting the headlines in context. This year-long series focuses on 50 of 5,800 groups identified nationwide that spend the majority of funds raised on expenses rather than causes. It’s great information that’s important to expose…but there are 1.6 million nationally registered non-profits (and nearly 200,000 congregations), so those 5,800 offenders represent about 1/3 of 1% of America’s charities.

I wish there was such sensational press coverage about the more than 99.6% of known non-profits striving to do the right thing with donors’ dollars. The article says,

“several watchdog organizations say charities should spend no more than 35 percent of the money they raise on fundraising expenses”

Many of you have expenses much, much less than 35% of your intake.

All the more reason for you to tell your amazing story. Share where donated dollars go via your website, Facebook, Twitter, and annual reports. Take 10 minutes to get the Guidestar Valued Partner badge and issue a press release!

You’re out there killing yourself to raise money so you can feed more families, clothe more kids, finally find a cure. It’s okay – no, it’s imperative – that you take time to share your story. We can’t let the bad press be America’s soundbite.

Comments are closed - Categories: Board members, Charity, Consulting

►First-time Event Done Right, 12 Do’s

May 22, 2013 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

You may have heard that I got invited to Paradise Island, The Bahamas (made famous by the Atlantis mega-resort) to do an auction last month.

The Purple Paws Live Auction was a first-time event, and yet it was a smashing success, exceeding all expectations and likely to double in revenue generated next year.

Here are 12 of the many things the BAARK! all-volunteer team did so right:

Awesome Chairperson. Passionate about the cause, well connected, and tenacious.

Get businesses to underwrite major costs and write sponsor checks.

Get help from an auction consultant on item descriptions, displays, order of sale, the evening’s timing, volunteer roles, etc. Sarah used the AUCTION! book I sent her, and we talked extensively in e-mails and phone conferences.

Venue with appeal. Use committee and sponsor connections to get the place folks have heard about but never had the chance to see.

Sold-out event. Start with a small venue so you can sell out, and use Facebook and social media to really push ticket sales. If you don’t have a mailing list or Facebook Fan Page with hundreds of folks yet, build THAT first.

Auction items matched to your guests. Nothing random. Each item specifically sought after because of its broad appeal to the attendees. Plan before you ask.

100% donations. For a first-time event especially, there’s no point in paying for auction items, as that takes your hard-won donor dollars and gives them away.

Prepared Buyers! “Bodies aren’t bidders” we say. Sarah and I made sure that the guests were fully aware of the Live Auction Opportunities and How to Bid, using prior e-blasts, displays, handouts, Power Point, and microphone announcements.

Zippy Schedule. Keep your guests entertained and attentive, with food, games, Live Auction and Fund-a-Need donations all flowing nicely from one to the next.

Mission Message. The 3-minute video they created was perfect before the Fund-a-Need, showing clearly the huge impact of more dollars and donations.

Event Support. Well trained staff and volunteers add so much to a great guest experience. We all met in person prior to the event to answer questions and build a confident team.

A Gala auctioneer. Truly, a fundraising event NEEDS to be equal parts entertainer, ambassador, and marketer. Not only was the audience laughing and smiling the whole time, but they were reminded to give generously to the cause, and 72% of the Live Auction items sold for more than they were worth.

Your Mission.

Accomplished.

I look forward to the chance to do it again. Maybe with you 🙂 Just shoot me a note.

Comments are closed - Categories: Auctioneers, Better Buyers, Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics, GALA GAL Case Study, Live Auctions, Sponsors

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

>

Simplify! Follow this Blog via Email

Archive for: Charity

►They Provide Trips?

►Virtual Galas Work!

►February Gala Themes

►A long-time client says…

►Radio Interview 3/27/18

►Everything Silent Auction

►VIDEO – Selling an Inside Joke!

►Raffle pricing

►Another reason you need a female auctioneer!

►Give Day Tampa Bay!

►Live Auction for the Black and White Gala in Orlando Oct. 19th

►”Big things. Big. Huge.”

►Dine Around the World auction idea

►Selected as a Presenter, Summit 2013

►”America’s Worst Charities”

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

>

Simplify! Follow this Blog via Email

Archive for: Charity

►They Provide Trips?

Share this:

►Virtual Galas Work!

Share this:

►February Gala Themes

Share this:

►A long-time client says…

Share this:

►Radio Interview 3/27/18

Share this:

►Everything Silent Auction

Share this:

►Who’s the “Voice” of your nonprofit?

Share this:

►VIDEO – Selling an Inside Joke!

Share this:

►Raffle pricing

Share this:

►Another reason you need a female auctioneer!

Share this:

►Give Day Tampa Bay!

Share this:

►BIG Giving went up in 2013!

Share this:

►Live Auction for the Black and White Gala in Orlando Oct. 19th

Share this:

►”Big things. Big. Huge.”

Share this:

►Your Auction is like this Carousel

Share this:

►Jazz Up Your Save-the-Date Cards!

Share this:

►Dine Around the World auction idea

Share this:

►Selected as a Presenter, Summit 2013

Share this:

►”America’s Worst Charities”

Share this:

►First-time Event Done Right, 12 Do’s

Share this: