 | Sharon Stone served as auctioneer for Amfar's Cinema Against AIDS fund-raiser in Rome.
Photo: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images |
|
As event professionals well know, one of the key aspects of producing a successful live auction occurs months out, as staffers, board members, and friends of the organization secure (read: often beg for) items so unique, so desirable, that attendees (with the added bonus of helping a good cause) will open up their wallets to get them. Let’s say you’ve scored walk-on roles on Grey’s Anatomy and The Office, a private performance by Hannah Montana, and the guitar on which Bruce Springsteen wrote “Born to Run.” Your work is done: This stuff sells itself, right?
Unfortunately, no. On the night of an event, the duty of moving live auction items, ideally for impressive sums, falls to the person taking—and, hopefully, nudging up—the bids. So what makes an effective auctioneer, and how much can your choice affect the success of an auction—and ultimately, the bottom line?
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
Auctions, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, Robin Hood Foundation, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation, N.F.L. Players, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Catalina Island Conservancy |
