6Tips in 16 Minutes with Tom Stebbins, BAS

1. Coordinate with vendors
2. Innovate the program
3. Engage your attendees
4. Tighten the program
5. Master waiting room
7. Promote for attendance

Transcript

1. 6 Tips, 16 Minutes with Tom Stebbins, Bid Fire
2. 10 years groups have raised over $300 Million
3. Bid Fire RVA serves... • Virtual Event Company, BidFire Auctions & Fundraising launched in May 2020 by Auctioneer and Emcee Tom Stebbins ◦ www.newyorkemcee.com ◦ www.bostonemcee.com • Hosted and/or produced dozens of live and virtual events • Broke fundraising records on the majority of virtual events
4. How a BAS Masters an Event Fundraiser
5. Six Tips for Fundraising Event Success • Coordinate with vendors • Innovate the program • Engage your attendees • Tighten the program • Master waiting room • Promote for attendance You are here. That’s the best first step!
6. #1 COORDINATE • Talk to your producer and auctioneer first! ◦ Most will have video available for you to review, or can invite you to a live event • Discuss options for platform, streaming, and software • Decide on a program that works for your attendees • Take those options to your gala committee or leadership Your vendors have done this before! A lot. Utilize that knowledge.
7. #2 INNOVATE • Work with your team and/or gala committee to build a unique experience • Do not do the same thing and expect a different result • Leverage what has worked in the past and do more of that. Freshen up the program a piece at a time.
8. #3 ENGAGE • Your donors are your greatest untapped resource • They will shoot video, post on social media, take pictures, and even provide touching stories about your mission • Attendees who submit video, images, art, etc. are far more likely to attend • Contests can help drive attendees to participate • Even engage in the chat during the event (Why do you love the NPO?) Engaged attendees are donating attendees.
9. #4 TIGHTEN • Most events are far too long • Virtual events should be MUCH shorter -- no more than an hour -- you are producing a TV show • Speeches are generally the least liked part of any program - cut them or make them brief • Focus on the fundraising -- schedule it at the moment of highest attention Start with the fundraising, build from there.
10. #5 MASTER THE WAITING ROOM • Great place for sponsor logos, or even video • Perfect time to show submitted pictures or video that did not make it into the show • Be sure to include a slide with music and tell your attendees they should hear music -- helps solve tech issues • Highlight other events or campaigns coming up This is great promotional space. Use it.
11. #6 PROMOTE • Attendance, attendance, attendance -- you cannot raise money from people who do not come • Engagement strategies are attendance strategies • Call/text chains with your board are key • Day-of, hour before, connect as much as possible Anytime something happens with the event, use it to promote the event.
12. #Bonus: HIRE A “BAS” • “Benefit Auctioneer Specialists” are trained in the psychology, strategies, and tactics of bidding and donating • Check in with the National Auctioneer Association to find one near you • Benefits that utilize a BAS raise 40% more than with a non-BAS or volunteer auctioneer • As much a consultant as a live fundraising host For virtual, you can hire an auctioneer from anywhere. Use the best!
13. Stay in Touch with Auctria @auctria Email: hello@auctria.com FB Group: Auction Team Talk Auctria Launch & Assist
14. Stay in Touch with Tom Stebbins @ www.bidfirefundraising www.newyorkemcee.com www.bostonemcee.com Email: thomasbstebbins@gmail.com BidFireFundraising BidFire-Auctions-Fundraising