YWCA Oklahoma City’s Post

7 tips for live auction success at your next fundraising gala! Want to raise more money, maximize your time ROI, and create an electric experience? Here's how: 1. Start with a bang! Begin with a high-value item to get the crowd excited and bidding early. 2. Know your audience. Tailor your auction items to your guests' interests and demographics. 3. Market those items! Let you guests know what they are! 4. Create urgency. Use a professional Live Auctioneer to build excitement and encourage bidding. 5. Offer unique experiences. Think outside the box with items like trips, behind-the-scenes tours, and exclusive access. 6. Provide detailed item descriptions. Include important details like dates, activities , and special items to help bidders make informed decisions. 7. Thank your bidders. Show appreciation for their support and generosity throughout the auction. Follow these tips for a successful live auction that will leave your guests buzzing and your organization thriving! Learn more about these Great Live Auctioneers: Dusty Klink Bobby D. Ehlert Frank Fletcher Erin Ward #fundraising #auctionsuccess #nonprofit

Shopping locally is a great way to positively impact your community! Did you know that when you spend $100 with a local business, approximately $68 of those dollars stay within the local economy? When you shop with a big box store, only $43 of the $100 stays in the community. Small businesses donate 250% more to community causes like sports teams and fundraisers than their big box counterparts. That means your dollars, spent locally, make a real impact on people and places you know directly. Shopping local isn't just a nice thing to do. It's an active way of supporting the city you call home and ensuring that local businesses - owned by your family members, friends, and neighbors - can continue to thrive. This holiday season, consider shopping locally before you shop with a big box store or online. Spend money with local artists, farmers, producers, and service providers. Your choice to support the local businesses that make this community so unique and vibrant will make a difference you can see in your city! Here are three opportunities to support your local community on the weekend after Thanksgiving: 🛍 Shop with local artists at the Native American Heritage Day Celebration at Whistle Stop Park on Friday, November 29. Local vendors will sell unique handmade items that day in the heart of Downtown Redding. 🛍 Shop with small businesses throughout the City on Small Business Saturday, November 30th. Small businesses will welcome visitors around the community with specials, snacks, and warm smiles! 🛍 Shop with an artist on Artists Sunday, December 1st. Artists Sunday is a nationwide movement that supports artists and recognizes their impact on enriching lives, communities, and the economy. The effort is designed to make the Sunday after Thanksgiving the most profitable day of the year for artists. Consider purchasing at a local art gallery, playhouse, or performance venue. #CityOfRedding #ShopSmall #ReddingCalifornia

Hot off the press! Our pre-registration feature makes Auction bidding and overall giving speedy and easy Pre-registration empowers your donors to create a RallyUp account and save their personal payment method before your fundraiser goes live. If you choose to enable this option, your donors can bid faster at your next gala dinner, donate easily during any fundraising event, and checkout without hassle. You can enable pre-registrations across all fundraising activities: - With Auctions, pre-registration makes it super easy for donors to quickly join and start bidding as soon as your Auction begins. Instant bidding – yes, please! - For Events & Ticketing, pre-registration empowers donors to donate easily during your Event and empowers you with insights into possible Event attendees before your fundraiser even begins. - For ANY other Fundraising Activity (Raffles, Sweepstakes, A-Thons, you name it), pre-registration creates speedy donations and checkouts for donors – keeping their focus on the donations and not on the administration. You also have the option to add custom fields to the pre-registration process to get more information from your community. Get to know each supporter better while giving them a flawless giving experience. https://bit.ly/3TrigE6

Sometimes the decision to close the chapter on a venture is tougher than the decision to put your ideas into motion. If you're of a certain age you'll recognize these lyrics from Semisonic, "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." (Or, maybe you are a student of philosophy and recognize that line as well). But for my purposes, I'm rolling with the lyrics from Closing Time, because that is exactly what this post covers. Closing Time. We've come to the decision that our children's boutique has served its purpose and its journey is winding down. What started as high hopes for our store has turned into many lessons learned about ecommerce, pop-up retail sales, and the commitment required to grow a brand on social media. All of that learned while raising two kids and both parents working full-time jobs. Our closing can be to your benefit. Everything left in stock is marked down to clear out as much inventory as possible before the rest goes for donations. Visit www.TKPoppins.com to stock up on elegant & timeless children's clothing before the doors close for good!

As we gear up for the holiday season, there’s no better time to start building your shadow audience. Since launching our ticket sharing feature in August 2022, patrons have shared over 1.65 million tickets, revealing over 447,123 previously unknown audience members. What does that mean for Tessitura organizations? In a recent study, just 19 of our clients saw over $5.6 million in revenue and over $114k in new donations from these hidden supporters. Imagine the impact when these new names are integrated into your holiday campaigns. With True Tickets, you’re not only saving big on ticket stock, postage, and chargebacks, but you’re also forging stronger connections with every new supporter. The results? Organizations with us for 2+ years are seeing a 10x return on license costs. Are you ready to maximize your reach this holiday season? info@true-tickets.com #TrueTickets #Tessitura

Shopping at a thrift store offers numerous benefits, making it a smart and sustainable choice for many. First and foremost, it’s an eco-friendly option, as buying second-hand helps reduce waste and minimizes the demand for new manufacturing, which can be harmful to the environment. Thrift stores also offer great savings, often providing high-quality items at a fraction of the cost of new ones. At Unity Thrift and Gift you can find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that add personality to your wardrobe or home, making it a fun and creative shopping experience. Additionally, thrift stores often support local communities or charitable causes, and Unity Thrift and Gift gives a portion of our proceeds to the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet helping feed families in our neighborhood so your purchases contribute to a good cause. Whether you're looking to save money, reduce your environmental footprint, or find something special, thrift shopping offers a rewarding experience in more ways than one. Article by Cherie Larkin https://lnkd.in/gu8r4tx2

What Color Are Your Boots On The Ground? Recently, we talked about the Air/Land/Sea breakdown of small business marketing, how Land = the boots on the ground, and all the real-world physical interactions we create to sell ourselves. One tactic you can use is owning a color so the public subconsciously associates a specific color palette with ABC Heating & Air with, for example. An HVAC client I've worked with for years took on "red carpet care for your heating and air" as their branding, which hits home when their techs lay out a red carpet under their toolbox to protect the home from any stray dirt. And the red carpet extends to an annual gala fundraising event the company throws to support one of their favorite local charities. Pink works, too, especially to stand out in the more muted world of home services. For another client, we had them adopt pink uniforms and branded clothing for all customer visits and ordered pink piggy banks to give as a gift to the kids in the home, with the subtle assertion mom and dad were going to save money using the company's services. At first aesthetic matters like colors in branding efforts may seem superficial to think too much about. But when you use it as a launch pad for a strong bond with the community, it's another hook point that makes it easier for happy customers to share your story with their friends and family.

🚀 Level up your silent auction with these 6 core strategies: (Save this post for when you're planning your next event! 📌) Silent auctions are an event staple, but few know how to maximize return on this popular fundraising strategy. Thankfully, with a little planning, you can extract more revenue from your silent auction table. Here are 6 ways how: 1. Promote your prizes 📣 Create buzz before your event by sharing big-ticket items by email or social media. You want donors excited to bid before the auction even opens. 2. Limit your items 🚫 Less is more when it comes to silent auctions! Stick to 1-2 items per guest. Too many prizes and some will get no bids. Too few and donors will be priced out. 3. Arrange strategically 🛍️ Arrange your silent auction items from lowest to highest value. That way, donors bid on multiple items as they progress through the displays. 4. Draw in donors 👀 Think of your silent auction as part of your decor. Instead of simply lining up items, create visually attractive displays that draw donors in. 5. Include the essentials ✅ Always include the starting bid amount, minimum bid increment, and a description of the prize. Opt for QR codes and online bidding for a more seamless experience. 6. Set the right price 🏷️ Start your bidding at 30-40% of an item’s fair market value, with high-value items priced at 50%. Minimum bid increases should fall at 10%. Helpful? ♻️ Share to help other nonprofits in your network! #nonprofitfundraising #fundraiser #fundraisingtips #silentauction

🎉 Turbo-Charge Your Live Auction: 7 Proven Strategies for Success A live auction isn’t just about selling items—it’s a powerful way to inspire generosity and rally support for your mission. 1️⃣ Focus on Fundraising First Plan your event around your fundraising goals, not the party. Script short, mission-driven remarks to show how bids will change lives. 2️⃣ Set the Stage for Fundraising Kick off your auction with a 2-minute reminder of “Why We’re Here.” Emotional appeals set the tone for generous bidding. 3️⃣ Use high-quality slides with clear titles, stunning visuals, and donor recognition. Keep it simple—no one bids when they're confused. 4️⃣ Invest in Sound A professional sound system is non-negotiable. Everyone must hear clearly—no sound, no bids! 5️⃣ Time It Right Hold your fundraising early in the program. Guests are more energized and excited to be there—don’t wait until they’re tired or leaving. 6️⃣ Pre-Promote Hot Items Build excitement before the event. Use emails, social media, and personal outreach to highlight live auction items and mission impact. 7️⃣ Hire a Professional Auctioneer A pro can boost revenue by 10-100%, engage your audience, and keep the focus on your mission. It’s an investment that pays for itself. #FundraisingEvents #LiveAuctions #NonprofitSuccess #MissionDriven #AuctionStrategy #FundraisingAuctioneer #FundraisingGala #FundraisingStrategy

The Power of a Professional Benefit Auctioneer for Your Event If you’re planning a benefit event, hiring a professional benefit auctioneer is one of the most impactful steps you can take to increase donations, deepen engagement, and create an unforgettable experience. Here’s why it matters: 1. Proven Fundraising Expertise: Professional benefit auctioneers are skilled fundraisers who go beyond calling bids. They employ strategic techniques to drive maximum participation and generosity, ensuring no opportunity for a donation is left untapped. 2. Crowd Engagement and Energy Management: It’s not just about reading numbers—it’s about connecting with the audience. Auctioneers build energy, create momentum, and keep guests engaged. Their experience and training mean they know exactly when to raise the excitement level to drive donations higher. 3. Tailored to Your Cause: At LiveBig Co, LLC, we believe every cause deserves a unique approach. Specializing in Texas-focused events supporting children, agriculture, and the western cowboy way of life, our team creates a memorable, mission-driven atmosphere that resonates with your supporters. 4. A Boost in Credibility and Professionalism: Hiring a certified benefit auctioneer adds an additional layer of credibility to your event. With memberships in organizations like the National Auctioneers Association, we ensure your event is in the hands of a true expert committed to ethical practices and exceptional results. When it comes to fundraising, let’s do it right. Explore how we can make a difference at LiveBigCo, LLC and see how a benefit auctioneer can turn your event into a powerful tool for change. For more info, email info@ferronlucero.com #Fundraising #BenefitAuction #Nonprofits #LiveBig #NAA #TexasFundraisers #Auctioneering