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Cool Committee Recognition
An AI-generated image of 7 women

I learned about a new live auction idea from a nonprofit in Boca Raton. As the very first auction opportunity, the committee members slowly rose from their seats around the room and took turns gathering in front of the stage as their names were read. Each was holding a gift (a wrapped gift basket, bottle of wine, framed certificate) and all of the gifts became one package that the top bidder would win. It was a great way to shine a spotlight on each individual (literally!) and create a unique live auction opportunity not to be found at any other gala. As you know, creating signature live auction lots only available at your event one night a year is another great way to set your fundraiser apart, give you a marketing hook, and build traditions.

Shoot me an email if you try this bright idea!

(image generated in Google Gemini)

Large Live Auction Handout
a handout with text and small images

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.

Auction in the Round
A stage in the center of a ballroom

Have you seen this? Done it?

Occasionally I’ll get a nonprofit client who wants to put the stage in the center of the ballroom with tables on all four sides.

The advantages? It’s an uncommon layout, making your gala look and feel different; it puts more tables close to the stage, thus providing more “front row” sponsor seating; it puts your auctioneer in closer proximity to more tables versus the stage at the narrow end of a long room.

The disadvantage? (And this is a big one!) – Your speakers and your auctioneer will have their backs to 50% of the audience at all times! This can’t be emphasized too much: you are disenfranchising half of your audience the entire program. This can negatively impact both your live auction and your Fund-a-Need paddle raise donations, since your auctioneer must be constantly spinning onstage to catch and acknowledge the bid cards. These extra seconds give time for the patrons to change their minds, hesitate, and put that bid card down.

While it might look intriguing, if you decide to auction in the round, plan ahead to have confident, outgoing bid spotters in all 4 quadrants to help catch those raised paddles and ensure you capture every intended dollar for your org.

Auctioning a dog
a photo of a dog

It’s the end of the spring season, and as I reflect back on the many great galas we had, I find my thoughts lingering on an auction from January where they had a dog as a live auction opportunity.

I tried to talk them out of it, sharing my concerns about whether or not a winning bidder (possibly caught up in the excitement) would be prepared for an immediate and lifelong commitment as a pet owner.

Pets (typically dogs, but occasionally cats) are auctioned at charity events around the country quite often, with bids sometimes exceeding $10,000. In some circumstances, the pet up for auction has already been semi-adopted by someone, including having the pet in a their home before the event. Then those folks are fully prepared to buy the animal at whatever price and bring it back into their home.

If you’re going to auction an animal, think long and hard about the potential downsides. What if the animal isn’t accepted by other pets? What if it needs more time or attention (quite often with puppies) than the buyer is able to give it? What if the pet ends up being donated to a shelter? How will that reflect on your nonprofit? Even worse, what if the animal is treated poorly?

In this case, the event was for a private school, so all the attendees were known by the organizers. This dog ended up selling to a school employee.

Considering allllllll of the possible auction items out there, I’d say you’ve always got another good option other than auctioning an animal.

►No bid cards?
beautiful table

I worked a beautiful, high-profile event recently that surprised me in one key way: they didn’t want to use bid cards. It’s been years since I’ve done a fundraiser without bid cards. In fact, now that I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve ever done a live auction or Paddle Raise – without the bid paddles.

Why would an org decide against giving attendees some sort of bid card or bid paddle? They didn’t want to come across as pushy. They wanted to focus on the party. There are many great events that are fabulous parties.

One of the first questions I ask groups during the discovery phase is, “Are you having a party, or are you having a fundraiser?” The answer to that question determines how decisions are made.

It was still a great party, and I helped them get creative with their programs so we could identify who was bidding and who wanted to donate.

But next year I hope we have bid cards 🙂

►Churches too!

Not all galas are annual events. I just had an absolutely awesome time working with the Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota. They were celebrating a 40th Anniversary and wanted to do something big to commemorate this milestone. And big they did!

It’s always fun when it’s an intimate venue and everyone knows each other. We joked and laughed all through the auction, and friends bid against friends, higher and higher, to cheers of delight.

So, if you’re celebrating a one-off special event, or you’re a church, or you plan on having a crowd under 150 people, I just might be your perfect match! Lillie and Marrie would be happy to tell you about their experience working with me 🙂

►Worse than Whoops!

Something happened recently that has NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I created Clerking Sheets for a gala and emailed them to the client ahead of time. They printed those sheets and put them on 3 clipboards. Check and check. They had staff members lined up to fill in the sheets during the live auction and Paddle Raise (on another sheet).

We did the fundraising and sold 4 live auction items (some with multiples) and then got many Fund-a-Need donations at multiple levels.

After the auction I asked to see one copy of the clerking sheets so I could take a photo for my records.

NO ONE WROTE ANYTHING DOWN.

For the first time ever, somehow the clipboards never got into the hands of the 3 staff members told to do it.

Don’t let this happen to you. Make certain to put the clipboards into the recorders’ hands early in the evening and explain their critical role and what time the fundraising will take place. Having 3 individuals assigned to the job has always worked up to this point. (You can also record the fundraising portion to have as a backup.) Plan ahead. And triple check.

Licensed in North Carolina

It’s been a great pleasure these past 2 years to serve as the auctioneer and ambassador for The Humane Society of Charlotte. Their event is filled with beloved dogs attending the evening, and everyone has such a great time!

Just a reminder that I’m licensed in North Carolina and look forward to working with more nonprofits there in the future.

LuxGive trips

I want to give a shout out to LuxGive, a consignment trip provider specializing primarily in luxury private homes instead of hotels or resorts.

I was fortunate enough to go to one of their properties (shown here, St. Maarten within walking distance of Maho Beach) and thus got to experience their entire customer service process for myself.

They were exceptionally flexible in helping me find just the right property from their many gorgeous options. I was pleasantly surprised by how knowledgeable and helpful my booking assistant was. They helped to set up airport transfers and a meeting with the concierge.

Once we arrived, our concierge was fantastic, helping with meal bookings, recommendations and any questions we had. She gave us her cell phone number to chat anytime via Whats App, and that was a very nice personal touch.

The property was exactly as promoted and just as gorgeous as the photos, and we ended up having a wonderful guest experience.

If you’re looking for a trip for your live auction, do give LuxGive a look.

This is how to promote jewelry

Jewelry, like artwork, can be an iffy thing in a live auction. Is it the right color, shape, style, length, size? And can a piece of jewelry stir up as much demand as a luxurious trip or a posh private chef?

In all auctions, we want items where everyone wants to “own it for a moment.” If you want to own it, but so does she, and so does he, but you want it badly, that’s how auction bidding goes up and up and up.

Jewelry typically has fewer bidders fighting over it, and sometimes it can be difficult to know if you’ll even get the opening bid you want. You definitely don’t want a long silence when no one bids.

However, if you’ve got a great piece, it’s likely to do at least as well in the live auction as it would in the silent auction, so make sure you promote it like this poster, with a huge, detailed, clear photo AND the actual piece right next to it with a mirror so folks can see themselves wearing it. They have to envision owning it to bid on it.

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