School Auction Season is Approaching - Get Ready Now

Now that the kids are settled back into their school routine, it’s time for you to start thinking about your school’s annual fundraising auction. School auctions are a great way to raise money for tuition scholarships, general school upkeep, and extra activities like art and music programs.  School auctions are also a great way for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to engage parents and create community and camaraderie.

Most school auctions take place in the Spring, so, start thinking about planning with these successful school auction tips

• Flyers in Backpacks
  

Sure we have Facebook pages and listservs for our schools. But, sometimes the best way to share information is the old-fashioned way. Use a flyer to promote your premier fundraising item. If your prime auction item is a trip to Club Med, create a flyer and make sure it gets in every child’s backpack. When parents empty the backpack when their child gets home, they are sure to see information. Keep in mind that most people don’t make the decision to buy an auction item at the event. Parents most likely will have a kitchen table discussion about the Club Med trip and see if it fits into that year’s vacation options before they bid. By sending home information with the child, you’re able to increase your reach with this simple, old-school tactic.

• Promote, Promote, Promote!

After making a flyer with featuring your top auction items, don’t forget to use high tech ways of promotion as well. School Listserv, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and email blasts are great ways to promote your auction. Use these channels to promote an item per week. Write a blog about an item and how it would enrich families and help towards particular school goals. It’s not just parents who subscribe to these channels. Alumni, grandparents, and friends also follow your school on Facebook and Instagram. They could be some of your largest contributors to your fundraiser.

• Get the Kids Excited

If you have an auction item that appeals to children, such as ‘Principal For A Day’ you should promote those items at school. Ask teachers to mention it in their morning announcements or have the principal talk it up during an assembly. This ensures that the students will be creating a buzz both in the schoolyard and at home for these coveted item. A parent who may not have considered participating in the auction may decide to participate because they want to buy an item for their excited child.

• Call in the Professionals

Running an auction is a lot of work. It requires complicated coordination, negotiation skills, and attention to detail. While a group of volunteers can put together a silent auction, if you want to take your fundraising efforts to the next level, you should hire a professional charity auctioneer. A professional fundraising auctioneer will ensure that your event is engaging, fun for everyone, and most importantly will turn guests into donors. Abra Annes is the premier charity auctioneer in California and can provide assistance to your next school auction. Follow her on Facebook or contact her here for more information.