Live Auction Doesn't Steal From Your Fund a Need

Your live auction is not stealing from your fund a need. Benefit auctioneer, coach, and game show host Seth Weiner (Your Rocktioneer, out of Atlanta) sits down with Trevor to take apart the myths and habits costing nonprofits money before, during, and after the event.

Seth's whole approach starts on the front end. He shares the worksheet system he uses to work backwards from a fundraising goal, break it down by revenue stream, and pressure-test whether the number is realistic months out. He explains why walking into an event with a bird in the hand matters, why loading six consignment items into your live auction is usually a mistake, and how a golden ticket can put a bucket-list trip in front of 150 guests at $100 each instead of selling it once.

The conversation moves into the part most events neglect: sponsorship and stewardship. Seth makes the case for treating sponsors as partners with a real ROI rather than logos on a banner, how to ask for more in a tighter giving climate without projecting your own budget onto donors, and why you should thank a donor seven times before you ask for anything. He also shares a free post-event toolkit with scripts and follow-up stats.

Then the data. Seth breaks down his underbidder spotter concept, which he calls seven-seven: seven paddles up at $7,000 is seven donors you just identified. He shows how to use bidding behavior, silent auction test items, and board paddle data to build both next year's event and next year's major donors.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:44 Catching up: music, travel, and New Orleans

03:35 Meet Seth Weiner, the coaching auctioneer

07:56 Why cheap trips and cheap auctioneers don't raise money

10:05 Being deliberate with your live auction

11:14 Working backwards from your fundraising goal

16:15 Asking for more in a tougher giving climate

18:16 Giving sponsors a real ROI

20:13 Turning sponsors into partners

24:25 Thank donors seven times before you ask

25:15 The free post-event stewardship toolkit

26:41 The underbidder spotter and the seven-seven

29:15 Drop a trip in the silent auction to test demand

30:52 Using board data to coach the paddle raise

31:43 The live auction doesn't steal from your fund a need

33:39 Why Seth runs the fund a need first

36:22 Rapid fire: stewardship, overthinking, and negotiating

40:25 Where to find Seth

🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗

Book Seth for Your Next Event: https://www.yourrocktioneer.com/home1

Connect with Seth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shimoner/

Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/

Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/

💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙

This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.

To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/

Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/

Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com