event energizers blog

A key component to fundraisers are the raffle, silent and live auction. Even more important than the ticket sale, these areas generate the revenue and gauge the success of a fundraiser. There is a delicate balance to making it all work well and not turn your contingency off (or they will not return next year). Keep the number of items for a live auction to 10 or under, otherwise you risk loosing your audience. You want to showcase the big items, cause a stir, build excitement and generate dollars for your charity and let the event get back to being a party. Showcase even fewer items if the gala is a formal sit down dinner.  It follows the same party logic that you want to entertain your guests and inject an interactive element into the event, but not bore them. Often I instruct the wait staff and bartenders to suspend passing trays and serving drinks until the auction is over to keep the focus on the stage.

Perfect the package. Make sure that the package makes sense and is balanced or cohesive. Add a limousine or dinner to Broadway show tickets or a back stage meet and greet/tour. Often PR agencies can help with adding these kinds of customized “star” treatments to auction items so the winner of the bid feels treated special and pampered. For silent auction items, group smaller items that will not be substantial enough on their own into themed baskets such as electronics, beauty/spa or sports.

Make the auction fun….and tempting. Add fun décor and props to assist in creating the fantasy the prize package.  A puppy for auction has been very popular in recent years where you have a captured audience of people that care about causes (conscientious) and are attending fundraisers. This a great place to find a good home for a puppy or kitten. Also printing brochures that are handed out when guests check in is a great way to display the information and create a buzz. Have the live auction the last hour and 15 minutes of the event while staff sell raffle tickets from the get go. Encourage Board members of the charity to mark down opening bids for silent auction items so it get the ball rolling.

Have something for everyone. A raffle is a great way to give everyone an equal opportunity to win something spectacular, where every ticket has as much chance to win as any other. Silent auction items of all ranges are another way to involve all guests.

I always like to quickly tally the winners of the silent auction and add the winners name to the item list (already created) and project it on the screen. This way, it does not disrupt the end of the event and adds a sense of pzazz to the event. Everyone likes to see their name in lights.