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This is how to promote jewelry

 March 17, 2023 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

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.

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

Event Flow, not Times

 February 21, 2023 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

There’s no one perfect timeline, as many factors influence when your live auction and Paddle Raise should take place within the evening’s events. I like to begin the live auction as the first guests are finishing their entrees and start to look around wondering what’s next to entertain them.

After the auction, it’s time to reinforce the mission with a short (2-3 minute) compelling video or live speaker. Then it’s right into the Paddle Raise and perhaps finishing with a Paddle Drop to collect every last dollar in the room in the most respectful and inclusive way.

The one thing guests don’t need to have is exact times each part is supposed to happen. You’re HIGHLY likely to get behind at some point due to slow transitions, food service, longer speakers, etc., and it’s an added pressure you don’t need. Simply give guests the order of what to expect and you’re all set!

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Event Logistics, Great Ideas, Templates

Handwritten thank you notes

 January 9, 2023 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

How do you thank your donors? Your volunteers? Did you know that EVERY donor (yes, even those who gave $20) should get a handwritten thank you note? It’s been said that major donors make a small gift first to see how they are treated before committing to a larger gift. Are you going the extra mile to share how you’re using their donations and what an impact their gift has made? Thanking and recognizing donors is a year-round activity, not a once-a-year-only chore.

I try to send handwritten thank you notes to those I’ve worked with on an event, and I appreciate greatly when someone takes the time to send me a note, too!

If you haven’t tried it, you can use the Send Out Cards online service to share photos from your event and a personalized message.

Comments are closed - Categories: Event Logistics, Great Ideas

Training Auctioneers

 December 10, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

You may not know that since 2008 I’ve been teaching a 3-day class I created called BOOTCAMP for Benefit Auctioneers. I’ve taught more than 75 classes of auctioneers how to better work with you, the nonprofit fundraising community.

Among many other things, I show them 11 ways to help you get better auction items, 65 ways you can work together to create more prepared bidders, and nearly 50 ways to generate revenue at your event!

This month I taught 2 BOOTCAMP classes back-to-back in Sacramento and Long Beach, CA. Both classes had highly motivated, passionate folks who are eager to bring more to their gala clients.

I’ve helped literally hundreds of auctioneers to up their game. You might ask if YOUR benefit auctioneer is a BOOTCAMP alum!

Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL

Two trends

 November 4, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Here are two things you might not be doing: asking for small monthly recurring donations, and including a direct QR code to make it easy for guests to give. Shout out to the fabulous Wounded Veterans Relief Fund for their upgrades to a traditional pledge card.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Event Logistics, Fund a Need

Splurge on the Big Screens!

 November 2, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Even for small audiences, you want the biggest screens possible, and it’s that much more crucial when you’ve got 300, 500, or even more guests. Especially for your live auction items, you need those big screens to show your striking photos to help sell the packages. This matters most with trips, art and jewelry, but even chef experiences and sports tickets benefit from great promo shots.

Big screens and great audio matter more than centerpieces when it comes to your fundraising outcomes.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Event Logistics

Great poster example

 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Here’s an example of a Live Auction Poster: the photo(s) are large and sharp, it’s easy to guess at a glance what it is (a trip) and all parts of the package are listed. With the added bonus of having the org logos at the bottom. Shout out to United Way and L3Harris for doing it right!

Comments are closed - Categories: Event Logistics, Live Auctions

Posters on Easels

 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Just a reminder that every live auction should have a Live Auction Display Area with posters on easels, in a high-traffic location where people can linger.

Don’t put them down the hallway walking to Registration.

Don’t put them just past Registration – no one will linger there.

Do create a special place where your auctioneer (me!) can stand and have conversations with your guests, answer questions about the live auction items and build rapport ahead of time. Your auctioneer should never be invisible! A great fundraising auctioneer will be working during the socialization time before everyone is seated.

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

Teleprompter screen

 October 25, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

High-tech A/V was on display at The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards gala at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City on October 24th. I was asked to auction just 4 fantastic opportunities, including the chance to sing on stage with The Beach Boys!

Besides rubbing shoulders with Jose Andres and Branford Marsalis, I was impressed by the huge teleprompter screen straight out from the stage and behind the guests. It was so big it allowed the emcee and speakers to easily see their scripts scrolling. (I work from bullet points talking freely, not scripted comments.) I’ve seen a couple types of onstage teleprompters before but this large screen method I haven’t seen in Florida.

It was a beautiful night, and it was so much fun to be in NYC for work!

Comments are closed - Categories: Event Logistics, Technology

►Why a Mastermind Group?

 September 5, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

In the past few weeks two auctioneer friends and I have been forming a Mastermind group, which is a lot more than brainstorming, and definitely more than a chat session.

I first learned about the structure of true Mastermind groups from Chicken Soup for the Soul author Jack Canfield. Much like his preferred model, we designed our group for the purpose of continuing the high-level discussions we’d had in late July at the Summit. We have 17 members from more than 10 states representing many of the largest fundraising markets.

For the first 30 minutes we stick to a predetermined topic, sharing successes and recommendations from all across the country. For the second half, we solve problems, issues, or concerns for each other, sometimes devoting all thirty minutes to one member.

It’s a thrill to spend time with such a powerhouse group, and it has added a Zoom to my calendar that the highlight of my day! I highly recommend you look into a Mastermind with folks you respect. Brain. Trust. That says it all.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Continuing Education – does your auctioneer do that?

 August 10, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
logo from NAA Conference & Show

Continuing education helps me help you. This year’s topics at the Benefit Auction Summit included trends in nonprofit marketing, adding humor to the stage, new techniques for the Fund-A-Need Paddle Raise part of the program, and ways to highlight your nonprofit’s mission even more.

Curious what I learned this year? Give me a call and let’s chat!

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Summit Summit Summit Time…

 July 31, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Ahhh, it’s that time of year again, the annual Benefit Auction Summit hosted by the National Auctioneers Association. This is the time each year when many of the top fundraising auctioneers in the country get together for 3 days of top-tier education and networking. While our classes are good each year, it’s our time catching up with each other that really pays off.

Hours of socializing inevitably lead to shop talk, and I learned what’s been happening with events in California, Texas, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland and much more. This really does add important tools and techniques that I bring to you each fall.

In addition, we got to meet with new vendors, learn about the latest consignment trip offerings, and even win prizes (I won the drawing!)

I haven’t missed a Summit since its inception in 2010, and I’m thankful for 3 great days to head into Fall 2022 with joy.

Comments are closed - Categories: Continuing Education

►That’s a Wrap!

 June 5, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Yup, that’s a wrap on the Spring 2022 fundraising season! I am thankful to have worked with several nonprofits I’ve not had the chance to partner with so far. It is still fun every time to meet a new group of passionate devotees and learn all about their mission. It’s invigorating and refreshes my hope for goodness in the world!

One trend I saw this spring is several large nonprofits switching things up for 2023. Two of my biggest auctions (where their annual gala makes up a huge portion of their revenue, and broke records in 2022) plan to diversify their events next year, perhaps replacing the annual gala with intimate patron parties. Typically, big-ticket galas can and do generate great revenue, entertain guests and share mission moments, they take A LOT of planning and many hours of staff, committee, and board time. So how does an org decide when that annual gala is worth it (and when it’s not)? We can do the math and crunch the numbers, but sometimes you just go out on a limb and try something new.

What about you, your org? Are you freshening up your gala each year, adding additional fundraisers, or making a break in pursuit of something totally new?

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Event Logistics

►Your auction answers

 March 18, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

EVERY AUCTION ANSWER!

I recently did a webinar for the Volusia-Flagler chapter of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals). Rather than bring my agenda, I showed up to solve yours! I’m sure you’ve had many of the same questions those participants did. Check it out here, and call/text/email me anytime when you’ve got any kind of question about your gala.

Got questions about how to do better online auctions, pros/cons of hybrid auctions, what are the must haves for a knockout live auction? I have been solving problems for nonprofits since 2002! Whatever challenge you’re facing, I’ve already solved it for someone else. Bring your toughest questions (as many as we can fit in an hour!) and I’ll offer you multiple ways fundraisers across America make their auctions more profitable and more polished. If you plan and conduct any type of charity auction (online, silent, live) you won’t want to miss this. 

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Fix Your Live Auctions

 February 2, 2022 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Today, 2/2/22, I’m excited to be doing a live webinar with the fabulous Auctria fundraising platform. Tune in at 1:00 EST here, or if you’re reading this afterward, here’s the link to the webinar – it turned out great!

In-person auctions need an upgrade: tune in for exactly how to do that.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

Fresh Photos!

 December 10, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

A shout out to Rinat Halon Photography in Apopka for my fresh new headshots and the various photos that capture all the aspects of my day-to-day as GALA GAL. I’ve got a lot of favorites, but this one has gotten the most buzz!

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Galas – Back in the Ballroom?

 October 14, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Are in-person galas coming back? If so, are they coming back in the same way, or has everything really changed for good?

There’s a lot of discussion among the auctioneers who are members of our private Facebook page for professional fundraisers. Just as you are probably doing within your nonprofit, we’re talking A LOT about 2022, what events will look like, and if hybrid is here to stay or will be deemed too costly or time-consuming for the payoffs.

We think virtual events ARE here to stay even if maintaining viewership over time will likely get harder. However, over and over again these past 18 months we’ve seen virtual events across the country raise as much (or even more) than the previous in-person galas they replaced. Whether or not that continues to be true remains to be seen, of course, but the thought is intriguing.

What does that mean for the future of in-person events? As auctioneers, we know there will always be a place for a talented stage personality engaging the crowd to give more. But we think we’ll be auctioning fewer items, seeing shorter programs overall, seeing fewer printed catalogs, and seeing more time for socializing.

In the next couple of months I’ll be doing some webinars and how to create more prepared attendees who are eagerly anticipating your auction.

Watch this space or follow my LinkedIn for updates.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

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