How to attract and entice High Bids and much higher spending at your next Fundraising Event

On a constant basis, I hear the same things from charities who want help.  Oddly enough, I don’t hear it from our charity clients because they have already found the answer.  Now, since I started BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, I have been screaming this at the top of my lungs, hoping charities would listen.  I am going to keep screaming and educating everyone so that I or we can effect change.

The statement I hear commonly is “We don’t have big spenders at our fundraisers” or “We don’t get big spenders at our fundraisers” – AND – perhaps the best one is “Can you get your big spenders to come to our fundraiser?”  Then I am also asked “How do we attract big spenders or rich people?”  The answer to these questions…the answer is the same.  But the question I have for you, our charity partners is….are you listening?

First, you must understand and accept the fact that people are not going to spend a lot on “Junk.”  Ask yourself this and since I am not asking for your response, don’t lie to yourself – if there was an item that is only worth $40.00 – would you spend $100.00 on it?  No you wouldn’t…in fact, the reality is, people at fundraising events regardless of the charity will commonly only bid 1/2 of the retail value.

You can believe what I am telling you and change or you can totally ignore it, but this is the real life truth.  Donated items are not exciting and never receive high bids.  They are commonly items donated by local businesses with your guests coming from the same area the business is located.

You can’t extract “Big Spending” while only offering low quality items.  Your guests will not spend over and above the retail value or anywhere near it on low quality items!!!  On another note, people with the means to spend “Big Money” want “great items” to purchase or bid on.  They are NOT going to place high bids on the low quality items charities commonly go after. 

Secondly, people lose interest on items that they can acquire easily or see at your charity fundraiser year after year.  The audience goes down and down each year. 

Charities need to wake up and realize that sticking to that kind of thinking is simple their down fall. 

Third, when the question comes about how to attract “Big Spenders” or if I will bring “Big Spenders”…the answer is always the same.  When we are consulting and helping with the planning of their fundraising events, I always answer this the same way “Just attract people, don’t target Big Spenders.” 

Successful charity events come from having high quality items that people do not see regularly or are not available easily.

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:   Yesterday (02/07/15) we received a call from a friend and client Ron Zega, Regional Director of Ducks Unlimited.  Ducks Unlimited is perhaps the most successful fundraising charity in the world with over 1,500 chapters across North America.  Ducks Unlimited insists their chapters PURCHASE items for their fundraising events.  Ducks Unlimited is the "King of Charity Fundraising" in my opinion.  They have it absolutely figured out.

For more information about Ducks Unlimited, click the photo here:

Prior to the call, Ron asked for several items to use at his upcoming fundraising event.  While choosing items, he was not fully convinced that our “No Risk Auction Items” would do well at his event.

During the phone call, Ron was astonished.  He told me that all of the items we provided him with received incredibly high bids.  In fact, the Jack Nicholson “Approval” Quote sold for $1,000.00.  And, the reason it only sold for $1,000.00 was because the bid sheet stopped at $1,000.00.  That’s more than 4 times the Cost to Non Profit.  Ron was amazed and excited.

Charities need to seriously wake up and start accepting the fact that donations are great, but they will not garner “High Bids.” 

In order to attract “Big Spenders” charities must provide items that will receive “Big Bids.”  If its not our items, go after donations that will get people excited. 

Also important is that charities will receive high profit from people who are not big spenders when they have high quality items.  People don’t…let me repeat, people do not spend big money on items which just aren’t worth it.  Would you?

Plus, if there are “Big Spenders” out there…do you think they will be attracted to your charity fundraising event if the only items that you have available are items that are low quality?  Don’t kid yourself…they won’t be.  Example:  I have a friend who is very wealthy.  When he and his wife attend a fundraising event, he commonly have $20,000 in cash in his pocket.  Are you listening?  If they walk around the Silent and Live Auction and there is nothing that attracts or excites them, he will leave without spending a $1.00.  But – if there is something, no one will be able to compete with him – he is leaving with it – period.

Plus by having high quality items that there is a “Cost” for, these high quality items will support much higher bids on donated, not so exciting, items.

If you would like to change your fundraising attempts so that you can attract “Big Spenders” or entice high spending/bidding at your next charity fundraising event, contact us today at www.BWUnlimited.com, we would love to help you and your charity.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a Charity Fundraising Leader in North America in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  Today, charities must utilize business tactics which entice supporters and donors.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is known for providing the absolute charity auction items known as “No Risk Auction Items” which attract and entice high bids over and over again.  With BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising’s proven methods, charities will absolutely see an increase in their fundraising efforts.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising constantly stays ahead of the fundraising pace by focusing on successful charity fundraising tactics and trends across North America.  If you would like help or would like to learn more, contact us today at www.BWUnlimited.com.