A good auction night should feel fun, easy, and energizing for guests — not confusing, bottlenecked, or chaotic. Best-practice guidance for silent auctions consistently highlights traffic flow, clear bidding instructions, mobile bidding, visible displays, and organized checkout as major factors in … [Read more...] about How I Run a Guest-Friendly, Low-Stress Auction Night
Building a Client Event Strategy Across the Year
A single client event can be lovely. A thoughtful sequence of events across the year is where you start to see real relationship and revenue impact. Instead of asking, “What should we do for clients this quarter?”, I like to start with a better question: “What do we want a full year of client … [Read more...] about Building a Client Event Strategy Across the Year
Before, During, After: Social Media That Supports Your Fundraising Events
Social media around events often gets reduced to last-minute “Join us!” posts and a flurry of pictures the next day. It can be so much more useful than that. If you see your event as part of a larger story, social media becomes a way to invite people into that story before, during, and after the … [Read more...] about Before, During, After: Social Media That Supports Your Fundraising Events
How I Curate Auction Items That Actually Sell
One of the biggest misconceptions about nonprofit auctions is that more items automatically mean more money. In reality, successful silent auctions are usually built around audience fit, a clear wish list, and a balanced mix of price points rather than sheer volume. Guidance for nonprofit auctions … [Read more...] about How I Curate Auction Items That Actually Sell
Auctions That Actually Work For Your Fundraising Event
Auctions can be one of the most electric parts of a fundraising event, and one of the most exhausting, depending on how they’re structured. When they’re intentional, they create energy, connection, and real revenue. When they’re not, they can feel like background noise no one really understands. … [Read more...] about Auctions That Actually Work For Your Fundraising Event
Designing Corporate Client Events That Don’t Feel Like Obligations
If you’ve ever walked into a corporate client event and immediately started calculating how long you “had” to stay, you already know the kind of experience we’re trying to avoid. The best client events feel like something people are genuinely glad they made time for, not another calendar obligation … [Read more...] about Designing Corporate Client Events That Don’t Feel Like Obligations
Marketing Your Fundraising Event Without Burning Out Your Team
You do not need a 27-channel marketing plan to promote your event well. You need the right channels, the right messages, and a plan your team can actually execute. Start With Your Audience, Not The Algorithm Before we talk about platforms, I want to know: This keeps us grounded in your … [Read more...] about Marketing Your Fundraising Event Without Burning Out Your Team
Event Communications That Support Fundraising, Not Just Logistics
Event emails often end up as glorified calendar reminders — dates, times, parking, dress code. Those details matter, but they’re not enough to support the fundraising you’re actually trying to do. Your communications can either feel like paperwork or like an extension of your donor journey. When … [Read more...] about Event Communications That Support Fundraising, Not Just Logistics