Your Auctioneer Just Added 200%

The question that costs nonprofits the most money at their gala is "are the bid spotters really necessary?" The answer is yes, and the reason is arithmetic. Four trained ringmen in a 500-person room act like a 200% increase in fundraisers on the floor, and a single spotter interaction can lift one bid from $4,000 to $5,000 in seconds. Multiply that across every live auction item and the auction team pays for itself many times over.In this episode, Marty Murad of Murad Auctions sits down with Trevor to reframe the live auction as a revenue-producing asset instead of a cost. You will learn why live auction income is unrestricted net revenue you can spend anywhere in your organization, including development staff salaries, how to back into a $50,000 live auction goal with honest per-item math, why selling the right packages multiple times is the gold standard for maximizing revenue, and why the live auction aids your fund-a-need rather than robbing it. Marty also makes the finance case for treating consignment as cost of goods sold, not an expense.If you run galas, benefit auctions, or paddle raises for a nonprofit, this is a tactical look at the numbers behind a successful live auction.Topics: nonprofit fundraising, live auctions, benefit auctioneers, bid spotters and ringmen, consignment packages, fund-a-need, paddle raise strategy, donor cultivation.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:18 The LinkedIn post that started this01:05 Why live auctions create unrestricted funds02:34 Finding the right packages: ask your top donors where they travel03:51 Backing into your goal with live auction math04:51 The gold standard: selling packages multiple times06:18 Does the live auction rob your fund-a-need?08:34 The worst question to ask an auctioneer09:21 How bid spotters add 200% more fundraisers to the room11:47 Consignment: expense or cost of goods sold?12:54 Where to find Marty🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Book Murad Auctions for your event: https://muradauctions.comConnect with Marty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helpingnon-profitsraisemoremoneyatevents/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com