Elias ArjanPerformance Auctioneer

Hosting a live bene!t auction is an ideal way to create an exciting event,

build relationships and generate revenue. A high-quality auction is fun,

gets your organization noticed and will generate buzz in the community for

months or even years to come.

By retaining the services of a professional & experienced auctioneer,

fundraising consultant and event planner, it’s possible for a successful

bene!t auction to make up to 10 times the initial cost.

This document is an o"ering to

demonstrate the value of conducting

a live bene!t auction. If you are ready

to start the process of creating your

fundraising event - CLICK HERE - to

contact Elias directly.

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

©Mike Byrne www.factionco.uk

1Make it an EventYour supporters and donors want to be engaged with the organization and

each other. They want to discover what the organization does, how it does it,

and be invited to participate and support your cause. An auction is the most

entertaining way to acquire donations and a fun, well promoted, educational

and exciting event will convert attendees into supporters and donors.

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

Serve food & beverages and include speakers and entertainment as part of the evening. Make it something people want to go to, even if they don’t currently support the organization. A well-produced event will generate more new donors than most email, Facebook or online campaigns.

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

2Hire a professional auctioneer, fundraising consultant and event planner.

3Plan well in advance

Yes, there is that member on the board who is a good speaker, or your friend who did

that event last year but to generate revenue at a fundraising auction requires both a pro-

fessional and a comprehensive strategy. All the aspects of running a live/silent auction,

locating a suitable venue, managing the service providers, training volunteers and so on

require a professional team.

The money you invest in the event will be directly proportionate to what the event will

generate. Even as a non-pro!t and/or charity you can !nd the basic resources to hire a

few professionals to manage and train sta" and volunteers or otherwise you will end up

wasting your valuable time and energy.

A successful bene!t auction will gear up 6 months to a minimum of 90 days before the

event. Many bene!t auctions are planned as soon as the last one ends for next year.

Allocating the proper time to acquiring auction items, securing sponsors, !nding sta"

resources and ensuring all the elements are well thought out will ensure the event is

executed perfectly.

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

As part of a good marketing strategy you need as many incentives as possible. Advertis-

ing a $1,000 or $10,000 ra#e, or whatever suits your event will get people in the door.

Make sure everyone gets one ticket for attending and then up sell more tickets, before

and during the event. This way everyone will stay until the end of the night to see if they

win something in a ra#e. If your event is well produced and you have the right auction-

eer (see tip #2) people who may have only come for the ra#e will leave having bid and

won an item.

Keep the night lively, give away minor prizes throughout the event. Simple keepsakes like t-shirts, dinner vouchers or other items relevant to the organization will inspire an envi-ronment of giving and excitement.

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

Another way to scare bidders away is to have everything too expensive, too cheap or just

too much of the same thing. An all art auction may work if that suits your audience, but

even then why not mix it up to get even more people interested in attending.

In most cases a variety of items with di"erent price points is preferred for a bene!t auc-

tion (a professional auctioneer will provide you the details regarding this). Bundle lower

priced items into larger themed packages, create a silent auction for the over$ow or

even start a year round ebay store for the organization.

Don’t forget the value of experiences in a live auction, they often sell for higher value then merchandise and are eas-ier to obtain.

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

6Have a highly efficientregistration/checkout

This may not seem like an important tip to an auction novice. However once a few hun-

dred people arrive at the event to check in and obtain their bid card you realize that this

is essential. If your registration is a disaster you have lost before you even begin.

Likewise, imagine a crowd eager to leave after a long night and stuck in a slow check out

to pay for their auction items. People will leave, you’ll have to spend time tracking them

down for payment and good will is lost.

You can position volunteers in these positions, however they will need solid supervision

(they are collecting your money) and good pre-event training. In the pre-event consult-

ing your auctioneer will support this process.

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

7Get Started!Many organizations do small events or silent auctions believing that they do not have

the resources for a larger event. Think small-be small. Aim high-touch the stars!

“Elias was instrumental in transforming our annual fundraiser, in particular our live auction. He successfully helped plan and create buy in with our sta" and board. His expertise showed itself in the !nal results - we saw a 40 % increase in overall revenues and we quadrupled our live auction pro!ts!”

- David Jordon, Executive Director

Vancouver Int. Fringe Festival

Once you commit to having an auction you’ll be amazed at all the items that start to be

o"ered and the opportunities that open up. Once the momentum builds, you’ll be on

your way to having the most successful fundraiser ever.

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin

it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

- Goethe, Faust I

Seven Steps To A Successful Benefit Auction

Imagine you took a luxury art dealer, a empowerment coach and a circus ringmaster and had them at your event working the crowd? This is Elias Arjan - Performance Auctioneer. Elias has been on stage for 20 years as an actor, comedian, pre-senter, lecturer and auctioneer.

After a successful entertainment career Elias moved into presentational sales and luxury auctions and has generated over 15 million dollars at live events around the world. This vast experience allows Elias to cater to each client ensuring your event will be unique, excit-ing and successful. Elias is so con!dent that he can increase your revenue that he will guarantee it in writing, making hiring him the easiest decision your organization will make this year!

What is a Performance Auctioneer?

Elias ArjanPerformance Auctioneer

604-600-9550elias@eliasarjan.com