Compilation of Auction Catalog Creation Ideas

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27 SECRETSWhether you are stepping up to run your auction for the first time or are a veteran, this guide should help you construct a plan for getting the job done. Even experienced auction chairs can often use a refresher, as building a strong auction catalog is one of the most important things you will do to assure success. Putting together a terrific item catalog for your auction often feels like a daunting task. The key is to make a plan and stick to it.

to Securing More Itemsfor Your Auction

1. Give Yourself Enough Time In a perfect world, you should assemble your item procurement team at least three months in advance. Putting together an attractive, diverse, and

high-value catalog will take at least that long. If your goal is high, it can take even longer. The size of your team depends on the size of your auction, but generally, the

more, the merrier. Theres room for all personality types, too. Not everyone has to be an extrovert.

2. Set a Goal Set a goal for your catalog value that is two times what you hope to raise in your

auction. Remember, many items will sell

for face value gift cards for one but most will sell for less than their retail value. One of the reasons auctions have

worked for fundraisers for so long is that supporters love the combination of doing good and getting a good deal.

1. Give Yourself Enough Time 2. Set a Goal 3. Have an Item Brainstorm 4. Make an Item Plan 5. Run a Volunteer Training 6. Track Everything from Start to Finish 7. Thank Everyone, Then Thank Them Again

Having helped thousands of organizations run over 22,000 auctions, we have seen it all the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly. This list of 7 Secrets is the collected wisdom of all those auctions. The real secret isnt in any one of these steps, its in making sure you do them all. The entire process will run more smoothly, feel less stressful, and yield a better, high-value catalog. So, lets dive in.

3Item Brainstorm: 1. Travel Items 2. Unique Experiences 3. Gift Cards to Restaurants 4. Fun & Unique Experiences 5. Donations from Local Stores and Businesses

3. Have an Item Brainstorm The best reasons to start with an item brainstorm are: 1. its fun, 2. it builds team spirit, and 3. it generates a lot of great ideas!

If your organization has run an auction in the past, review what worked and what didnt. What sold best? What raised the most

money? What got the most bids or generated the most buzz, even if it wasnt the highest dollar value item?

Travel

Isla Vista Luxury Villa 7 night stay

Dining

Dinner for 8 with Creighton Basketball Head Coach Greg McDermott & Wife Theresa

Auto

U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers Tribute Motorcycle

Unique Experiences

Be a Private Guest at the Mansion of Sir Elton John and Sir David Furnish

Sports

Chicago Stadium Official Game-Used Floor Piece

Fund a Need

Guide Dogs for the Blind: Newborn Puppy Sponsor

Value: $10,000 / Highest Bid: $7,750 Value: Priceless / Highest Bid: $5,100 Value: Priceless / Highest Bid: $29,750

Value: $50,000 / Highest Bid: $28,400Value: Priceless / Highest Bid: $30,000Buy Now Item: $1,000 (Sold 3)

Dont forget to brainstorm some unique items - items with special appeal to your community or to potential new

supporters. One of the things the thousands of bidders on BiddingForGood auctions tell us is that they love the unique

items they find in our auctions. There are many items to be found, often unique experiences,

that they simply cant find anywhere else. Schools, theatre

companies, and veterans organizations do this especially well,

but any organization has the potential to make high-value, high-

community building items. Schools always have teacher or principal items that bring in great revenue but also bubble up school spirit and community building.

Item Ideas from BiddingForGood Auctions

45. Run a Volunteer Training Session Before you send out your army of volunteers, make sure theyre trained. Its great if you have experienced item solicitors to mentor and help new volunteers or staff. This is another occasion to have fun while tackling a serious job. Team building, encouraging

volunteers to support each other, and instilling a little friendly competition all help you build a better auction catalog.

4. Make an Item Plan Decide what items are must-haves for your catalog and which items are nice-to-haves, then divide and conquer your lists and tasks. Have an all-hands meeting to divvy up the list into

individual lists that include a mix of past donors likely to donate again and new target organizations. That way everyone is ensured of at least some success early on. Make sure that the people on your team who have relationships with local businesses are the ones asking for

items or sponsorships.

Establish deadlines for contacting and following up with

donors. Having deadlines to report on gives the whole committee clarity about expectations. It also gives you the

opportunity to periodically review your lists or tactics and

take corrective action where necessary.

Assign tasks like writing item descriptions, or uploading items into

your online auction site for review. Its truly best to do these things

as you start to get items and commitments rather than wait till the

end. Its much easier and less overwhelming to write descriptions

two, three, or four at a time than twenty or thirty at a time. Not getting a jump on item descriptions is one of the most

common mistakes weve seen auction committees make over

the years and its a big one.

Only 3 more item descriptions

to go!

The most important things to include in your training are:

Acknowledge that asking can be difficult

Emphasize the importance of this work to the success of your organization

Explain why donors give this empowers your solicitors

Repeat over and over that nobody should take getting No for an answer personally. Its bound to happen to everyone

Distribute talking points that include the following information:

- Why this is a worthy cause

- How this will help the donor gain visibility with your community

- The profile of your supporters - influential, large, local, passionate, etc.

- How much you are marketing the auction, online, offline, at the event

- How to ask for other references and why thats important

- Never forget to say thank you for your time regardless of the outcome

56. Track Everything from Start to Finish Youll never get caught off guard if you know where you stand on

your efforts. Whatever you do, dont wait until two weeks before

your auction to realize that you are only 60% of the way to your

catalog goal. Identify shortfalls early.

Keeping track of items as they come in, facilitates creating fun

and exciting item packages that will sell for more money.

At BiddingForGood, we think the best way to do this is on our online auction platform. The information is accessible by

every team member, at any time, from any device. Volunteers

can enter their updates, the chair can review the auction, and

reports can be generated. It eliminates messy spreadsheets with all their inherent version control issues.

However you do it, keep track of where you are and the milestones you established when you made your plan. Youll be glad you did.

7. You Cant Thank People Enough Of course you are going to thank everyone who donates items, services, or agrees to be a sponsor. But make sure you thank them when they take your call, answer your email, or give you some of their time for a one-to-one

meeting. Then thank them again when you acknowledge receipt

of an item if applicable. Then make sure to thank them after your event. Its even nicer

if you can let them know that the item they donated sold and what their contribution means to your organization. Think of it

as relationship stewardship.

One last group to shower with thanks is your item committee.

Theyve done the heavy lifting of making your auction a success.

So make sure to express your appreciation to them all one more

time. With luck, theyll come back and help for your next auction.

The Secrets to the 7 Secrets Any one of these things alone will not ensure success. The secret is in executing all seven. It may seem like a lot, but in fact, it will make your life easier. Innumerable studies have shown that getting organized at the beginning of a project can reduce the stress associated with managing it. Spend the time up front to get your strategy and all your tactics aligned, and you will have a more pleasurable experience building your best auction catalog ever.

Click here to schedule a call, or contact a salesperson directly at 866-621-0330.

You were a tremendous help!

Thanks, I had a blast! Count me in

next year!

2015 BiddingForGood, Inc. 100 CambridgePark Drive Cambridge, MA 02140 www.biddingforgood.com

ITEM IDEASGreat items require you to be really creative and brainstorming and creating great items can also be the most fun and rewarding process of running your auction.

When we survey our hundreds of thousands of bidders, they tell us that they love the unique experiences they find in BiddingForGood auctions. A lot of the ideas presented here are things you cant buy anywhere

else. They are the fun, interesting, and one-of-a-kind experiences that will make your auction stand out.

Food and dining always sell well.

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Theres no business like show business for helping raise money!

Here are some great item ideas weve heard from our clients to get you started:

Its great to have gift certificates to local restaurants and hot spots, but these ideas have a little something extra that make them perennial top sellers.

A murder mystery dinner put on by your organizations staff and volunteers

A dinner made and served by the board of directors in someones home or at some special location

A mom is on strike package: fast food/pizza gift certificates grouped with some Netflix coupons and maybe a bottle of nice wine

A dinner and wine pairing hosted by: A board member of your organization

The CEO or President of your companyThe chief of police or the fire department

The mayorFully packed picnic for four A seasons share from a local CSAApple Picking for 4 at a local orchardVIP tour of a vineyard and wineryof a local, artisanal brewery

of a local cheese makerA wine tasting at someones house

A beer tasting at someones house

A chef-catered dinner for guests at a historic home A chef catered dinner in the winners homeA dinner at the fire station, cooked by the firemen

A month of soupA month of cookiesA year of cakesComplete dinner for X number of people delivered once a month for a year

Walk-on part in a play (locally or on Broadway)

Walk-on part in a TV show

Studio audience tickets to a TV show taping

Front row seats to performances on opening nightA prime parking spot for a theatre performance or seasonA news station tour (watching a local newscast from the control room)

A local TV station tour including meet and greets

A local radio station tour including meet and greets

Meet and greet with actors or directors of a show Meet and greet with news broadcasterOn air with local radio celebrity

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8Get creative with heartfelt and homemade items.

Everyone can use a little help sometimes.

Enlist local celebrities to help with meet and greets.

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A handmade quilt A handmade wooden bowlA made-to-order ceramic bowl perhaps with a monogram or special sayingA handmade garden benchChildrens portrait painting or photo sitting

Family portrait painting or photo sitting

Painting of your home or vacation home

Computer set up or maintenanceHome network set upHome theatre set upFall yard cleanupSpring yard cleanupComplete home cleaning one time or for some specified time period

A car detailing

Famous or local hero athletes or Olympians

MayorPolice ChiefFire ChiefLocal AuthorPundit on finance or investing

Front row seats to a school function like graduation or a showPrincipal or head of school for a dayFurniture made by the schools studentsCollective art projects made by each grade

An opportunity to conduct the high school band at a concertNaming rights to a classroom for a yearA prime parking spot at school for graduation, a school concert, or sports gameA prime spot on campus for a yearA picnic at the music teachers houseA movie night hosted by parents for a certain number of studentsA sleepover at school hosted by several teachers

A prime parking spot downtownAt the office

At the local supermarketAt the mall

Schools make super items with high appeal for their communities.

Parking is its own category. Here are a few ideas. What can you come up with?

Food and dining always sell well.

Tap into the power of your networks and get some meet and greets into your catalog.

9We hope you find this list helpful. These are all items that have sold in BiddingForGood auctions over the years. Were sure you can think of more. Happy Fundraising! Click here to schedule a call, or contact a salesperson directly at 866-621-0330.

2015 BiddingForGood, Inc. 100 CambridgePark Drive Cambridge, MA 02140 www.biddingforgood.com

People love to get out and enjoy themselves.

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Every auction needs tickets to something. In addition to the things listed here, weve often seen tickets to the Superbowl or big baseball playoff games.

Here are just a few that could help you brainstorm more. Think about unique experiences that your sponsors or board members might help with.

A concert by a famous musicianA local theatre company showTickets to a Broadway showA major league baseball game

A minor league baseball gameAn NFL football gameAn NBA basketball gameLuxury box use for any of the above

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Add some unique experiences to round out your catalog.

Themed party in a box Halloween, Birthday, Anniversary, Bon VoyageHoliday or seasonal wreathGift certificate to cut-your-own Christmas Tree Farm

A week at a beach house A week at a ski housePack up and sketch with sketch pad, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, etc.Pack up and paint with paints, brushes, canvas, or watercolor paperPainting lessons

Singing lessonsDrawing lessonsQuilting lessons

Piano lessonsCooking lessonsDancing lessonsGardening lessonsA glider lesson at the local airfield

Scuba diving lessonsSailing lessonsA spa package for couplesA helicopter scenic tourA police car ride-alongA speed artist that creates pieces of art at the event to auction off

An airplane ride in a special plane like a bi-plane or a jetA hot air balloon rideA guided horseback trail ride for 2 or 4

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Dining Everyone enjoys going out for a nice meal Travel Theres nothing like a great trip!

Getaways Weekend vacations or exotic getaways

Sports Tickets Watching your favorite team is exciting

Entertainment Tickets Seeing your favorite performer is unforgettable

Retail Gift Cards Sometimes you just gotta shop

Unique Experiences Some experiences are truly once in a lifetime

Auction Items ChecklistImprove Your Auction Catalog by Including Items in These Categories

My Ideas...

The types of items you have in your catalog can make or break your auction. When youre looking for item donations, how do you know which items to go after, or which ones are popular? Are there any items that are must-haves for your auction? Heres a list of the top 5 based on our experience, with room to write down your ideas.

Ask for donations in each category Add value and variety to your auction catalog:

1. Top-performing Item Categories on BiddingForGood

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There may be bidders out there who want to give, but dont see any items theyd like to bid on. Or, they may be actively bidding, but want to be sure they donate a certain dollar amount. Fund-a-need items offer the perfect opportunity for these individuals to contribute.

3. Top Fund-a-need Items

These items are easy additions to your auction! Ideas for schools, food banks, hospitals:

$100 to send a kid to summer camp $50 to buy groceries for a family in need

$200 to help renovate the building

These are items that your community can supply; they are unique offerings that cannot be purchased at any store or bought online. Here are some examples:

2. Top-performing Items Gathered from Your Community

Get the community involved! Your community has a lot to offer:

Principal for a day A reserved parking spot

Lunch with the mayor

Shadow a local professional for a day

My Ideas...

My Ideas...

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Whether its a gift card to Starbucks, a local restaurant, or Saks Fifth Avenue, people love to bid on gift cards. Heres their chance to give to your organization, while using the gift card at their favorite place!

5. Dont Be Afraid to Ask for Gift Card Donations

Gift cards are a sure bet! Most businesses love giving to a good cause:

While its important to keep the big picture in mind, remember to include items that are of specific interest to your community. You know what excites them the most.

4. Top Items Specific to Your Area and Community

Get the community involved! Your community has a lot to offer:

Local events Yard maintenance

Courier service

Paint a house

Restaurants Local businesses

Car repair/oil change

Newspaper/magazine subscriptions

My Ideas...

My Ideas...

2015 BiddingForGood, Inc. 100 CambridgePark Drive Cambridge, MA 02140 www.biddingforgood.com