MaestroSoft Blog

Timing is Everything

Encourage bidding by promoting the practical elements of an online auction.

At a physical charity auction, patrons are influenced by environment, social/peer pressure, and often times - your selection of beverages. Online charity auctions are entirely different! You're competing with all other online retailers, and therefore should convey the message that your "store" is better because they're getting their necessary shopping done while also helping out a great cause.

Choose your time of year

• November auctions target holiday shoppers
• January auctions target Valentine's Day
• April auctions target Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Graduation
• Be creative with your ideas

Create an experience

• Categorize items on MaestroAuction Online by "person to shop for"
• Accept cash donations on MaestroAuction Online
• Promote upcoming events

Hold your online auction

• Use MaestroAuction Online to hold your auction, and read the built-in FAQ for help and tips
• Host the entire auction using Text2Bid and reach people anywhere

Traditional with a Twist

Provide patrons a memorable experience by adding in Text2Bid's auction and store features.

Stay the course

• Charge a respectable amount to participate
• Offer sponsorships for each hole
• Use Text2Bid so players can bid on items throughout the afternoon
• Use Text2Bid so players can purchase mulligans (second chances) during play

Create an experience

• Invite local celebrities
• Provide gift bags with your organization's logo merchandise
• Use the opportunity to announce future events and educate patrons on the progress of your mission
• Offer a concession stand with food and drinks for purchase

Accept Payments

• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick donations
• Use Text2Bid to sell and auction items

Traditional with a Twist

Gone are the days of calling a toll-free number and reading a credit number to a stranger.

Use Text2Fund to capture unlimited donations

• During sporting events on the "jumbotron"
• During parades and festivals
• In television and radio broadcasts
• In email and direct mail campaigns

Create an experience

• Capture phone numbers for future text donation campaigns
• Capture mailing addresses for paper thank-you letters

Accept Payments

• Use Text2Fund for donations
• Use Text2Bid to sell and auction items

Go Traditional or Creative

A profitable event filled with excellent food and memorable experiences.

Choose a traditional theme for your competition

• A chili, soup, or chowder cook-off
• A barbeque cook-off

Or a true reality show style competition

• Choose your favorite cooking reality show for inspiration
• Instead of a small panel of judges, simply have patrons vote for favorites after each elimination round

Accept Payments

• Charge an entry fee to the competitors plus admission to all others for eating the meals
• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick donations

Rare and Unique Items

Command higher raffle ticket prices by securing an item that can't be found elsewhere.

Procure an item that creates high demand

• An autographed item from a local sports team or celebrity
• Car dealerships will often donate a car (36 mo lease) for the publicity
• A consigned item such as a "behind the scenes" experience, Superbowl tickets, etc.

Create an experience

• Hand out pamphlets to new patrons to educate them on your mission
• Collect email addresses at the point of sale to update patrons on the progress of the raffle
• Sell your raffle tickets during other events

Accept Payments

• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick in-person payments
• Host the entire raffle using Text2Bid and reach people across your city, state, or entire region!

Run an Expert Rummage Sale

Provide patrons a fun shopping experience with added opportunities for fundraising.

Utilize proven retail strategies

• Merchandise items by target shopper (for him, for her, great for kids, etc.)
• Place taller items in the rear of the room to help shoppers see more items
• Use boxes covered in tablecloths to feature/elevate items
• Use pricing strategies for books and CDs that build value in buying in quantity
• A great example is popcorn pricing as seen here: http://vidrack.com/pricing-model-strategy

Additional ideas

• Use the opportunity to announce future events and educate patrons on the progress of your mission
• Offer a concession stand with food and drinks for purchase
• Find a local retailer to donate reusable shopping bags for checkout

Accept Payments

• Ask shoppers to round up their purchase to the nearest $5 point (a $23 purchase becomes $25)
• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick payments and donations
• Use Text2Bid to auction premium items by phone while gathering phone numbers for future campaigns.

Go Beyond the Typical "Spaghetti Dinner"

Provide patrons a fun and memorable dinner experience with added opportunities for fundraising.

Choose a fun but cost effective "all you can eat" theme for your main course

• Baked Potato bar with a buffet of toppings
• Pasta Bowls with a choice of pastas and sauces
• Sandwich bar with a buffet of topping and spreads
• Create your own idea - just be sure to watch costs!

Create an experience

• Use the opportunity to announce future events and educate patrons on the progress of your mission
• Demonstrate environmental responsibility with clearly marked trash, recycling, and compost bins
• During dinner, host a small "raise the paddle" following a short video and/or speech

Accept Donations

• Charge a "suggested donation" per person regardless of age
• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick payments and donations
• Use Text2Fund to accept donations by phone while gathering phone numbers for future campaigns.

Create a New Annual Tradition

Give your patrons a chance to socialize, relax, and regain their youth - while you raise big money.

Choose a fun tournament

• The Bar Triathlon (darts, trivia, and flip-cup)
• Poker Night
• Blackjack Tournament or Casino Night
• Or combine a few ideas and/or create your own!

Create an experience

• Be sure to provide activities for patrons once they're eliminated from the competition(s).
• Offer a concession area with hot food for purchase
• Offer a bar with beer, wine, and liquor
• Maximize yield by having a quick-serve "featured cocktail" using house liquor
• Make responsible arrangements with taxis, party buses, and/or designated drivers

Accept Payments

• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick payments or donations

Create a New Annual Tradition

Add-ons and additional activities make these events memorable and profitable.

Choose a fun tournament

• Horseshoes or other outdoor games
• Board game tournament (something with quick rounds like Boggle, Operation, Uno, etc.)
• Dance-off competition with voting
• Or combine a few ideas and/or create your own!

Create an experience

• Use the opportunity to announce future events and educate patrons on the progress of your mission
• Offer a concession area with food and drinks for purchase

Accept Payments

• Charge an entry fee to all competitors, and a re-entry fee for those wishing to pay for second chances
• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick payments or donations

Go Beyond the Typical Car Wash

This twist on the typical carwash will yield bigger donations and leave a lasting impression with new patrons.

Provide a complete but expedient detailing

• Exterior wash and dry
• Shine tires
• Vacuum interior and two sprays of Febreeze in each footwell
• Dust interior (Swiffers work great!)

Create an experience

• Leave a "tree" air freshener in the car (buy them in bulk online)
• Leave a pamphlet in the car educating the patron on your mission
• Provide drinks and snacks for purchase while patrons wait
• Offer raffle tickets

Accept Donations

• Use MaestroPay Cash Register for quick donations
• Use Text2Fund to accept donations by phone while gathering phone numbers for future campaigns.