Fundraising is a full-time business. To mobilize sponsors, donors and enthusiastic volunteers to all come around an event or gala, takes a lot of sweat, passion and, yes, even tears! Each year, there are over 1.5 million benefit auctions that take place across the United States. That’s incredible!
When we really think about it, it warms our hearts to know of the compassion, hard work and love that goes in to each and every cause’s mission. And 1.5 million fundraising opportunities each year? That’s a lot of people rallying around helping others.
These charity events, be they in the form of a gala or virtual (thanks, covid!), a golf tournament, or simply a small community gathering, all have one thing in common: the drive and emotion to do good unto others; to be there for those less fortunate than ourselves, and to make that difference. After all, in the grand scheme of things, most people are fortunate. We live relatively healthy, happy and prosperous lives. But I believe that life’s true riches come from our ability to shine a spotlight of concern on those who go without. True wealth lies in inspiring others to join in supporting individuals and communities who need our help, and in many cases, have given up hope or don’t have the means to change the situation they find themselves in. They are either regrettably forgotten by society, or indeed are suffering through something that, quite frankly, none of us are impermeable to.
So how can we maximize the revenue opportunities that we all work so hard to make happen? Of course, if you are reading this you probably know what I am going to say next, and you’re probably right!
The key element to raising revenue at your Auction event is the Benefit Auctioneer.
Of course, there is a multitude of contributing factors to how to make a fundraising gala successful. The planning process definitely starts with hard work, passion and, if you’re like me, the occasional stresses!
Coordinating every aspect of your occasion, from venue selection and F&B choices, to budgeting, hiring vendors, committee meetings, donor and sponsor gathering, bid items and the fund-a-need… the list feels never ending!
Yet if you don’t have someone who can take all of your hard work and convey your story in a compelling, inspiring and engaging fashion, the chances of success falter. Without an experienced, charismatic and passionate person moving guests to contribute…well, suffice to say that all of the King’s horses, and all of the King’s men, won’t be able to put the Benefit back together again.
Your event deserves to be given the best shot possible. Every aspect must be spot on. Your compassion alone deserves that. So why do planners sometimes overlook the importance of the face & on-stage driver of the event?
Here’s why it is so important to hire a professional Benefit and Fundraising Auctioneer for your Auctions:
- They are Revenue-Raising Experts.
Auctioneers can come in all specialties. We have all seen and admired the amazing fast-talking ones who preside over cattle, auto or estate auctions. How do they talk that fast? How do they manage to sell so many items so quickly? They are extremely impressive at what they do.
Benefit Auctioneers are in a somewhat niche category (there are fewer than 300 licensed ones in the USA!), in that they are dedicated entirely to helping nonprofits tell their story, maximize their revenues and achieve their mission. Their expertise goes beyond the chant; it goes deep to the heart of what moves people to donate, and how to best tell the cause’s story to inspire guests to give. They prepare well in advance; they get together with the nonprofit planners, the vendors, committees, sponsors and even donors – all in a bid to maximize bids on the night! They are at each stage of the planning process, working together with the organizers to ensure that every opportunity to raise money and awareness is taken.
2. Excellent Return on Investment
So you have a budget – big or small, it doesn’t matter. You want to get the most out of it, and that’s understandable. You want to put on an event that is memorable, and that will be talked about by your sponsors, donors and communities for a long time to come. You spend 95% of your budget on A/V, a popular band, tasty food and beverage, gifts for guests, the list goes on. Finally, you save the last 5% of the budget for the key person on-stage. Sometimes they are even an afterthought, as setting up the event has to be the first priority, right?
I would suggest it is the other way around. The FIRST thing the best benefit event planners do, aside from make the crucial decision on venue, is to decide upon, and book, who will run the show. After all, if you can’t get the right on-stage presence, the perfect person to show off all the hard work you have done in producing the auction or gala, then it is all for nothing. In essence, a Professional Benefit Auctioneer makes all your efforts SHINE. And the reward? Raising more funds for your powerful cause and its beneficiaries. They simply know how to bring in more money, so that your cause makes that impact.
Setting aside a healthy budget to secure a Professional will guarantee that, if you have planned all other aspects of your benefit right, they will be the icing on your amazing cake!
3. They Ensure the Night is Memorable
When your guests wake up the morning after you fundraising event or galas, how do you want them to feel?
The best post-event reactions almost always center upon certain moments of the night. The Fundraising Benefit Auction can be hugely successful for a whole range of reasons. The food was excellent, the music fantastic, the speakers’ topics engaging. However, if your main person on stage is not up to par, he or she didn’t quite click with the audience or mission messaging, then all that good stuff will fall away in the guests’ memories. To be replaced by the poor impression left by the one person who is supposed to tie it all together. After all, the better a time the guests are having, the happier they are to bid and donate! A charismatic Fundraising Auctioneer & Emcee has the experience of knowing how to engage the audience, and knows the timing and cadence of the key touchpoints that trigger guests to really feel the cause’s mission.
4. A Great Auctioneer Keeps Audiences Engaged
Keeping the audience energized and engaged is crucial. Guests have to feel compelled & inspired to truly feel the mission, and of course, to donate! They need some passion, energy and inspiration to lift their evening and hearts. They want to connect and feel – humans are a tactile species after all! An effective stage presence brings energy, enthusiasm, warmth and charisma to guests, all of whom are there to do good. They will get so much more out of the event if they feel positive and energized! Humor, interaction and charisma are three key ingredients that the right person possesses in abundance!
5. They are a Passionate Part of your Team
I became a Benefit Auctioneer because I believe that if you have a skill, if you are good at something, you must use it to benefit others. I believe that every little positive impact we make as human beings should be chased with passion. I love to see the changes the causes I represent make in people’s lives. And if I can use my ability on stage to touch others lives, merely by increasing revenue and awareness for causes, then I will gladly spend the rest of my life doing it.
I am not alone in this. I imagine every Benefit Auctioneer & Emcee in our wonderful world feels the same way. We do it for because we love to see the impact it makes; to challenge ourselves to use our experience and passion for the greater good.
We work with non-profits not only on the night of the fundraiser, but we are with the inspirational planners and non-profits, supporting, guiding, being there as a sounding board and friend. After all, making the world a better place is something we all do together.
Jordan Campbell is a British Emcee, Host, Benefit Auctioneer & Speaker based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has hosted hundreds of events around the world, with big and small companies alike. His international experience, charisma and flair for professional presenting, makes his a much sought after on-stage presence for Corporates and Event Companies across Atlanta and the United States!
