While your live auction success is determined by engaging a professional and charismatic charity auctioneer, other things are often overlooked when holding a successful auction for a non-profit fundraising event. The following five components are simple to integrate into your event and will have a significant impact:
1. Stop The Food And Beverage Service
You want to capture the attention of your audience. Food and beverage have a way of always taking the limelight. Removing all distractions will create a focal point during your live auction and have a greater impact on captivating your audience.
2. Bring The Lights Up
Far too often, non-profit organizations keep mood lighting on during an auction. While you may go for a romantic and soft vibe, an auction is about doing business. The auction is a vital part of your day-of-revenue stream.
When the lights go up, guests know that work is to be done; they sit up and pay attention. Having brighter lights also makes the auctioneer’s job easier because making eye contact is critical to his role in increasing bids! Those in attendance can see other people competing to win items on bid.
3. Leverage The Right Visuals
Visuals are often more powerful than words, but many auctions fail to include them. Even if you have the auction items on display for attendees to examine before the auction, creating a slideshow or PowerPoint presentation of all live auction items to display as each item is being presented will not only generate more revenue for your fundraising event, but it will also make the auction more vibrant and engaging.
Combined with a short description of each item by the auctioneer, a visual can make an item sing — and drastically increase the winning bid.
The day of your auction fundraiser is a powerful part of your overall revenue strategy. Make the most of it by paying attention to these important five details that can dramatically impact your outcome.
4. Do a Thorough Sound Check
It seems like such a small thing, yet many organizations overlook details like a sound check. Every mic is different. You want to ensure your auctioneer knows how to turn it on and off and that the system works.
5. Have a Riser or Stage
Your charity auctioneer needs to be seen by your guests, and the guests need to see your auctioneer. It includes a presence for the auctioneer to do his job and a center of focus for what can sometimes be a very crowd-filled room. A riser or stage provides just enough elevation to tell the audience they will be entertained.
The day of your auction fundraiser is a powerful part of your overall revenue strategy. Make the most of it by paying attention to these important five details that can dramatically impact your outcome.
Hire a Charity Auctioneer and Live Painter for your Fundraising Event
Michael Green has been a charity auctioneer for more than 30 years, and if you’ve held a live auction, you know the auctioneer can make all the difference. His ability to engage and entertain audiences is second to none. It shows where it counts the most: Our clients can attest that events with Michael have routinely exceeded fundraising goals!
Make your fundraising event entertaining and raise money by booking a live painter. Seeing art come to life in just a matter of hours creates a memorable experience for your guests and gives a more refined edge to your event.
Painter Heidi Schwartz is the perfect artist for this task. As a natural-born talent and self-taught, Heidi captures the candid moments of an event in a way that photographs cannot.
Your guests will enjoy watching her paint the décor and the people surrounding her. And once the painting is finished, you can exhibit it for the audience to admire. For more information give us a call at 615 283 0039.
