4 Useful Tips for Better Auction Results at Fundraising Events

One of the best ways of getting money at non-profit events is to organize auctions. Silent or live, they are fun for the guests, provide great mementos and drive results. There are a few tricks you can use to have even more success, however.

We will go over four ways you can create an incentive to donate more and why they work:

1. Invite the Right People to Your Fundraising Events

Anyone would help a good cause if it cost them nothing. Sadly, that is not the case. When it comes to auctions, your target audience is people with considerable income. You cannot expect guests to bid large sums if they just can’t afford to.

Besides income, there is also the matter of loyalty to the organization and charitability. Don’t expect complete strangers to participate and donate large sums. You need to have a hefty contact list to get the best results.

Before the event takes place, make sure that your intended guests already know the organization and cause. They will be emotionally invested and willing to do their part at NonProfit events.

2. Get Interesting and Unique Items

The auction, as well as the event as a whole, will be memorable and well received if the items you present are truly one-of-a-kind. For example, a celebrity autograph referring to the event is unique while a big TV is not. Look for things that have some historical or social importance. If it is also related to the cause, that is perfect.

Many fundraising events suffer because they do not stand out in any significant way. The things you auction will be a reminder for the attendees. Keeping the organization in their mind is important.

There’s also the fact that if the objects are one-of-a-kind, your guest will want them more. They will bid more for what they want. That means that you will get more funds.

Unforgettable auction items make for memorable fundraising events.

3. Engage Your Guests with Entertainment

Booking a good entertainer will do wonders regarding donations. Organize the auction according to your chosen form of entertainment. The guest will be more cheerful and, as a result, they will bid larger sums.

Choosing the right artist to do this, however, is not easy. To get the best fit, consider several things such as the audience, the cause, the time frame and the theme of your fundraiser events.

Since uniqueness is so important, look for entertainers that do something entirely special.

Take The String Angels as an example. The trio creates an excellent atmosphere with their renditions of classical and more modern songs.

Their huge range of music can set the scene for just about any auction, regardless of the items and audience. They will wow the audience and get them invested in the event.

Think long and hard before choosing the entertainment. Fundraising events depend on it.

4. Keep a Donation Box in the Vicinity

Everyone that comes to your fundraiser wants to help. They may not get the chance to buy any item, however. Make sure that they can contribute to support the cause in other ways than bidding.

Set up donation boxes at the event and remind guests from time to time how they can send money by other means. The auction may be the primary attraction, but it is not the only way you can get funds.

Want Your Events to Inspire Donations? Evoke Emotion

Emotion still trumps everything when it comes to planning successful fundraising events.

Regardless of how strong a nonprofit might be or how powerful the cause it is fighting for is if it is resistant to emotional appeals, that organization has little chance of being successful. People are more often driven by emotion rather than reason, and donors are no exception.

Let’s put it this way: The best and fastest way to their wallets is through their hearts.

The importance of emotional attachment

Donors need to feel like they are doing something more than just writing a check and passing it on. Therefore, they give to organizations that speak to them on an emotional level. Before reaching for their checkbooks and making a financial commitment, they need to feel an emotional connection with that particular organization.

That is why the best way to attract donations is to present your nonprofit both as a smart investment and as an emotionally compelling organization. This will draw more attention to your cause and your mission, which is the first step to getting more donors involved with your cause.

Emotion plays a crucial role in persuasion

Keep this in mind when planning future fundraising events.
Emotion is most likely the best tool you can use to convince your potential donors that your organization and your cause are worthy of their contributions. Thus, the emotional appeal should be the thing with which you lead whether we are talking about a presentation or a simple conversation about your charity.

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It is no secret that emotion is highly used for marketing purposes, so there’s no reason you should not deploy it to raise more money for your organization. There’s no shame in it, either.

So how can you evoke emotion at your fundraising events?

We’ve already determined that emotion play a crucial role when it comes to the success of an organization because donors need to feel a strong, emotional connection with your organization and the work you do.

So let’s take a look at a few actionable ways in which you can boost the attendee experience at your events:

1. Tell stories that employ emotional appeal
   People are genetically wired to love stories and thus tend to connect better with them. Also, it is always more beneficial to tell a story about your charity and the work you do instead of merely asking for donations. The focus should not be on the money, but on what can be achieved by using said money.
2. Take advantage of multimedia
   Don’t just rely on storytelling! Try showing the story to your attendees for maximum effect. The visual impact is by far the most powerful one, and that is something you can use when hosting fundraising events. Add relevant pictures and videos that best describe your cause and your organization. The emotional level in the room will be sure to rise.
3. Consider hiring a professional speaker
   Someone who feels comfortable on stage can make a world of difference when it comes to making an event more fruitful. A professional speaker has the experience that is needed to evoke a broad range of emotions and entertain your donors throughout the event.The most important moment to ask for support is after the auction is finished. People are more likely to donate. After that, they will go home with your charity in mind. A lasting impression is a key to having loyal donors.You need top quality entertainers to create an unforgettable experience for the audience. We can help you find the perfect people for the job. Through bios and testimonials, we aim to help you make the best decision.

If that is something you want for your next event, then feel free to check out our list of speakers. If you find someone you think would be suited for your goals, make sure to contact us right away.