Maximizing Your Charity Event’s Bottom Line
Learn the secrets to a successful charity event and live auction. Want to maximize the money your benefit event gives to your charity? Follow this guide for proven strategies that are guaranteed to make your fundraiser a success!
Mike Grigg
Copyright © 2012 by Mike Grigg
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2012 by Mike Grigg. All rights reserved.
ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher.
Published by Mike Grigg.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
While attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither the Author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. Any slights of people or organizations are unintentional.
The purchaser or reader of this publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information.
Printed in the United States of America.
Dedicated to –
my wife, Bobbi, and daughter, Peyton, for always giving me the love and support that I need to accomplish my goals;
my mom, Angene Grigg, for teaching me to always reach for your goals;
my dad, Randy Grigg, for giving me the inspiration to share my knowledge and to never give up;
and God, for blessing me through all of life’s journeys
Introduction
About the Author
Mike Grigg, AARE has been conducting auctions for over a decade and can add humor, excitement and fun that your auction event needs to maximize profits and keep the interest of your attendees! Mike was crowned the 2009 California State Auctioneer Champion at the California State Auctioneers Convention in Lake Tahoe, CA.
Upon graduating from the World Champion College of Auctioneering and the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing, Mike began his work conducting hundreds of real estate auctions, charity/benefit auctions, and large ballroom auctions. He has raised millions of dollars for non-profits.
Mike helped raise over $1.3 million in one night for an event benefiting Solutions for Change to help solve family homelessness, and had Condoleezza Rice as the keynote speaker. He has also obtained the prestigious AARE (Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate) designation from the National Auctioneers Association, making him one of just a handful of auctioneers in the country with this honor. Mike is the Past President and current member of the California State Auctioneers Association, which holds him to a strict code of ethics while helping to better California's auctioneers. He is also a member of the National Auctioneers Association.
Hiring a professional auctioneer with years of experience can maximize your event's profit and leave your guests coming back for years to come! If you want a professional auctioneer that knows how to keep your audience entertained and coming back for more, then Mike Grigg is the auction professional for the job.
View Mike’s auction videos at www.MikeGriggAuctions.com or give him a call to discuss his services at 661-325-6500. If you would like up to the minute updates and tips join Mike’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/mikegriggauctions or Twitter at Twitter.com/mikegrigg.
What You Will Discover in this Book
Why am I so confident in the title of this book? I have attended charity events that do not have a professional auctioneer and I have been the auctioneer for hundreds of events… the difference REALLY shows. This book will reveal several “tricks of the trade” that I have learned over the years to get the most out of your charity event. The focus of the book is centered around the event itself.
All of the following questions must be addressed in order to insure success of your event. My book gives answers to all of them.
What’s the best timeline?
What order should I put the live auction items?
When should the live auction be held?
What type of motivational speakers should I utilize?
Are motivational videos worth showing?
What is the best way to run a silent auction?
What should I use as opening bids for my silent auction items?
Should I couple a golf tournament with a charity auction event?
Are there any ice breakers prior to the live auction that I should use?
What is a fund-a-need?
How should I structure the fund-a-need?
Should I do a plated dinner or a buffet?
What is a professional ringman and why should I use them?
What should an auctioneer charge for his services?
How do I know which auctioneer to choose for my event?
Why should I use a professional charity auctioneer and not a volunteer or the emcee?
Are celebrities a good idea to incorporate into my event?
Should I use bidder numbers/paddles?
What kind of forms do I need for the loggers and auction items?
Do I have too many Chiefs and not enough Indians on my board?
Should my “high rollers” be strategically placed in the room for better auction results?
What is an auction hero?
When should I book an auctioneer for my event?
Should I collect credit card information at check in?
How many loggers and runners should I have?
Is entertainment or fundraising more important?
Whew… that’s a lot of questions that need some serious answers! If all of these questions have been answered correctly and you fill your room with serious bidders/attendees then you will have a successful night. The following chapters will show you how to do this and you will probably learn many new ideas and money-making tips that you have never even thought of. So now it’s time to break out your highlighters and pencils (don’t hesitate to mark up the book and take notes in the margins). I want you to come away with some of the knowledge I’ve gained throughout the years as a professional auctioneer through trial and error and from helpful fellow auctioneers.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Putting Together a Winning Board
Chapter 2: Choosing the Best Auctioneer
Chapter 3: Setting the Appropriate Timeline
Chapter 5: Auction Items & the Appropriate Order
Chapter 6: Fund-A-Need and Auction Heroes
Chapter 7: Motivational Speakers and Videos
Chapter 8: What are Professional Ringmen?
Chapter 9: Live versus Silent Auctions
Chapter 11: Checking In/Out Guests and Seating
Chapter 12: Plated Dinner or Buffet?
Chapter 15: Charity Auction Checklist
Chapter 16: Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 1
Putting Together a Winning Board
Having a gigantic event board is not always the best idea to having a successful fundraiser. The president needs to be someone that is passionate about the organization and has the ability to lead people and delegate. There should be three main chairs for the event:
Check in/out Coordinator
Event Coordinator
Auction Coordinator
Your check in/out coordinator should be the person in charge of all the guests checking in, table assignments and very importantly, checking out and collecting the money.
The event coordinator should be a person that has the ability to book entertainment, select an appropriate food and beverage menu, and design the décor for the event. They are also in charge of getting the appropriate invitations out and/or table sales.
The auction coordinator should be in charge of booking the auctioneer, setting up the silent and live auctions, putting together the fund-a-need and staying in constant contact with the auctioneer for ice breakers and time line adjustments.
The President of the board should also be a big part of procurement and have as many people as possible getting items donated and putting together the best possible guest list to maximize the event’s potential profit. The better the items offered for sale the easier it will be to reach the organization’s goal and have a chance to exceed expectations.
VERY IMPORTANT! Do not have too many Chiefs and not enough Indians. Your lead board members must stick with their individual responsibilities and not divert their attention to tasks outside of what they are assigned. You will need plenty of volunteers to take and execute orders from the lead coordinators. If you have too many people in charge of the same thing it will cause massive confusion and will lead to mistakes and miscommunication throughout the event. Confusion simply leads to making less money!