Page Text: / Why hire Sherry instead of another fundraising auctioneer
Why hire Sherry instead of another fundraising auctioneer
What makes me different than others?
Here’s some food for thought.
1. I’m a true specialist in fundraising auctions
All fundraising auctioneers have 24 hours in the day, but how we opt to spend it is completely different. I focus 100% of my time on understanding how to improve fundraising auctions.
But don’t take my word for it — conduct your own web search.
A Google search will show that you won’t find any other website revealing that I also spend time selling real estate or personal property.
No one can be a specialist in multiple things, so my expertise is 1″ wide and 2 miles deep on understanding fundraising auctions. It’s all I do.
2. Speaking of which, I do this full time
Some auctioneers are devoted to working fundraisers as part-timers. You’d be surprised at how many people who consider themselves auction professionals have full-time jobs in unrelated fields, and spend what time they have left on their business.
Hey, more power to them.
But as an auction planner, this impacts you. When you have a quick question or need to meet your auctioneer, do you want to be limited to evening hours, squeezed in between dinner and a favorite TV show?
You can read through comments left by hundreds of happy customers and guests .
You know what makes these testimonials special? They’re from real people. They have first and last names, photos, and even videos.
What you won’t see are any questionable testimonials from people with names like “Susan L.” or “John W.”
With regularity the media covers my fundraising auctions or seeks my insight for an article.
Many writers are from magazines and newspapers you know, including Town & Country, The Washington Post Magazine, The Florida Sun-Sentinel, Northern Virginia Magazine, Missouri Meetings & Events, Martha’s Vineyard Times, The Spokesman-Review and others.
I’ve also done my share of speaking, often asked to present to my peers at numerous national and state auction conventions.
5. The secret sauce for nonprofits
It’s varied over time, but some clients have committed me to non-compete agreements so I don’t work for any other nonprofit in their city. I can talk to other nonprofits, but I’m not allowed to oversee other fundraising auctions.
These nonprofits see me as a competitive advantage.
Taking it a step further, a number of my clients feature my profile on their website and in “Save the Dates” as one of the reasons a guest should attend the gala. I’m billed as entertainment.
In other words, I’m the secret sauce that makes their event different than all the other fundraisers in town. (See the photo for one example of this promotion style.)
6. Free stuff
At any given time, you can find complimentary auction resources on my site designed to help auction planners.
Some of the tools I share are what other auctioneers would charge you to have.
I like to think that I’ve got so much good stuff in my coffers that I can afford to be generous.
Does an auctioneer with a blog mean he or she is a good auctioneer?
Not at all.
But a blog can give you some good insight into an auctioneer’s business approach and quality of consulting.
Are the posts well-written? Useful? Is the blog updated regularly or once in a blue moon, suggesting a poor work ethic?
With over 500 blog posts to my name , you’ll have a solid idea of who you’re dealing with when we start working together.
8. Terrific educational tools for auction planners
I co-wrote a book The Essential Fundraising Handbook for Small Nonprofitts with some other fundraising gurus. (I wrote about silent auctions.)
I’m also widely quoted in The Event Planner’s Essential Guide to Balloons by Sandi Masori. (Balloons can be used in many wonderful ways at auctions.)
But I’m most proud of my training programs.
Ever heard that saying, “If you want to learn something, teach it?” Nothing forces you to simplify a process than knowing you’ve got to teach it to a volunteer!
My courses are designed for the volunteer Auction Planner. Planners learn about silent auctions, live auctions, raffles, Fund a Needs, games, class art projects, auction checkout, themes, decor, centerpieces, sponsorships, volunteer management, and more. My clients have access to these, as part of our engagement.
9. A lot of personal education
Frankly, I’m not one of those people who thinks education is necessary to be good at something. My parents never went to college, but they were still successful entrepreneurs.
That said, I recognize that the lessons learned while pursuing an education can be just as important as the knowledge obtained. If you’re of that mindset, here’s my list of educational achievements:
Degree-based programs
BA in communication – Emporia State University (Emporia, KS)
BS in public affairs – Emporia State University (Emporia, KS)
MA in international relations – University of Wollongong (Wollongong, Australia)
Certificate / certification-based programs
Certificate in Event Management – George Washington University
Auctioneer training program – Missouri Auction School
Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) – National Auctioneers Association
Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) – National Auctioneers Association
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) – Convention Industry Council
10. Energy to share
Auctions are hard work. Lots of hard work. And as a volunteer, you can have a tough time going it alone.
Outside of all the expertise, sound advice, and tools, I often also serve as motivation for the committee.
I’m your private cheer squad and the upbeat whisper in your ear. Some say that my contagious energy about auctions brings a smile to their face.
I’d like to think that my energy – in turn – drives money into their bank accounts.
Curious? Schedule an appointment with me to visit about your fundraising auction.
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What auction planners say
Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!
Krystal Fenwick
Thank you so much for the outstanding job you did for us on April 1! I have received so much positive feedback from so many who attended. You even earned Sister Suzan’s (our Vice-Principal) seal of approval! Safe travels to all your many events and thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year our best ever!
Diane Albano, Director of Development
St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School (St. Augustine, FL)
Sherry is flexible and easy to work with. She gives honest feedback and advice throughout the planning and implementation process. Without a doubt, Sherry and Red Apple Auctions has helped take our annual fundraising event to the next level.
Beckie Middendorf, Development Director and Janet Gulla, Development Coordinator
St. Henry District High School (Erlanger, KY)
Sherry is “on board” from day one of auction planning, works closely with our steering committee and is only just a phone call away. The night of the auction, we toss her the keys and let her drive the event! We are never disappointed!
Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)
I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!
Pete Goldlust, Director of Development
Oak Hill School (Eugene, OR)
If your auction needs to upgrade, call any auctioneer you find on Google. But if you want your auction to be impressive, meaningful, and profitable, you need to call Sherry.
Erin Banda
2016 NYUMBANI Board member
The auction was entertaining .. proactive … the crowd was involved and felt a part of it,” he said, emphasizing, “The entertainment value was huge.
Darrell, a long-time attendee
We plan on booking Red Apple Auctions much earlier for our next event so we can take advantage of more of the pre-event offerings.
Nicole Carr, Director of Grants and Special Events
The Ivymount School (Rockville, MD)
Sherry, personally, I can’t even begin to tell you the immense amount of positive feedback that I received having YOU (and Darby) there with is this year!… Read The Rest “Anne Livaudais Knudsen, 5th year gala co-chair”
Aren’t KK and Michael a cute couple?
They liked that I “moved the crowd along … kept the crowd engaged but wasn’t obtrusive or invasive. We were able to talk but still keep track of what was going on.”
You have NO idea of how many people came up to me (I know Julie as well) and said, ‘That auctioneer was incredible … she engaged the crowd, …… Read The Rest “Staci Meruvia”
Geri said: “Great job of getting potential donors in the room to step up to the plate and not feel guilty or bad about it. They actually wanted to give more … and that’s not something I’ve seen in many other auctioneers.”
The following… Read The Rest “Geri”
Irene attended one of my New Hampshire auctions and assumed I must be a radio personality — until I started to chant that fast talk.
“I’ve been to this event before with a couple of other auctioneers,” she said, “Your ability to get personal… Read The Rest “Irene”
Most product & consulting remarks are found on their respective webpages, but I’ve listed two below so you’re assured my products are as spot-on as my auctioneering. Not only was our 2013 auction a blast, but our Washington, D.C. public school raised $67,000 — that’s $25,000 more than last year! The evening went… Read The Rest “Carolyn Kahn-Hall and Andrea Del Vecchio”
As a former Fox News Anchorwoman, I am often called on to perform at auctions. So, I know first-hand that auctioneering can be a difficult job. Sherry Truhlar is one of the best in the business.… Read The Rest “Cynthia Steele Vance”
Cynthia Steele Vance
Guest at The Potomac School 2014 auction (McLean, VA)
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