Baker Auction - Volume VI

Baker Auction - Volume VI

Volume VI

We Have a Plan for Every Situation! Baker Auction Company for Live, Virtual, and Simulcast Events

auction as a live one, don’t be. In our experience, if your donors believe in your organization’s cause, they will find ways to give.

In the last newsletter, I told all of you about how Baker Auction Company was going to ensure that our clients were able to hold their fundraisers, even in the midst of a pandemic, by providing professionally filmed and broadcast virtual auctions. As optimistic as we were about this new idea and what it could mean for our clients who have had to postpone or cancel live fundraising events, when I told you all about it a few months ago, it was still just an idea. We hadn’t yet put it into practice. However, as of very recently, we successfully hosted our first virtual auction, and based on that experience, we can now confidently say that Baker Auction Company’s virtual auctions are a viable alternative to live fundraising events.

That’s not to say, however, that the era of live auctions is over. People still love going to live events. They love seeing people and being seen by other people — just look at how quickly people rushed back to Boise’s nightlife the minute the bars and restaurants opened back up! That’s why we want to stress that virtual auctions are just one alternative that your organization can choose from when you work with Baker Auction Company. Depending on how quickly your state government is allowing businesses to reopen, and how many people they’re allowing to gather, hosting a live auction might be a viable option. For those of you living in cities and states where you could go either way, we’re also going to start offering a “hybrid” auction, where people can attend the event live or participate virtually from home. As times remain uncertain, we want to account for that uncertainty and accommodate all of you in whatever way possible. So, with all these options on the table, we at Baker Auction Company want you to make sure you know what you want your event to look like. Do you feel up to planning a live event? Great. Do you want to host a virtual event? We’re your team. Do your research and see if any other events companies or auctioneers are putting as much production value, interactivity, and fun into their events as we are. Believe me, you won’t find one. With the addition of our hybrid events, we can guarantee that for any situation Baker Auction Company is your go-to auction planning and hosting team. Check out our Facebook page, Facebook.com/ bakerauctionco, and website for details and more information.

Our first virtual auction was for St. Joe’s Catholic School here in Boise. Understandably, their leadership entered the process with a healthy dose of caution, but in the end,

there was nothing to be worried about. They trusted our team to carry out a virtual fundraiser in place of the live auction they had planned for earlier this year, and we pulled it off. Everyone who participated had a great time, we made the auction interactive and enjoyable, and they were still able to raise a good deal of money for their programs. If St. Joe’s case can be taken as an example of how successful virtual auctions can be, and I think it can, then the rest of our clients should have nothing to worry about as they go into the planning process with us. Once you get educated on the process and see how easy it is, we can help ensure that your virtual fundraiser will be fun, interactive, and successful. If you’re worried about your donors being as interested in a virtual

- Tyson Baker “It’s Sale Time”

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Selling Remotely? Don’t Lose Your Personality! 5 Tricks to Enhance Your Charisma on Video

At Winspire, it’s our goal to help as many nonprofit organizations raise as much money as they need to fund their projects and programs. We do this by making thousands of luxury travel packages available for them to offer at their fundraising auctions. Unfortunately, the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, and thousands of fundraising events have been canceled or postponed. In the midst of that, however, I’ve been happy to work with Tyson Baker and Baker Auction Company to create luxury travel packages for their new virtual auctions. I first connected with Tyson through Danielle Snelson, an event planner in Boise. From there, I’ve been continually pleased with the experience I’ve had working with Tyson and his crew. What’s impressed me the most through the course of collaborating with them on this exciting new project is how well-rounded they are when it comes to working with different charities and nonprofits. Baker Auction Company caters their performance to the donors and makes the auction a success, whether it be for a school, a health care facility, or another type of organization. Working with Baker Auction Company will be the first time Winspire has offered a luxury travel package for virtual auctions. While there are always risks while moving into uncharted territory, we’re looking forward to The Beginning of a Long, Successful Partnership Baker Auction Company’s Collaboration With Winspire At the time of writing this, COVID-19 cases are spiking again. Cities and states that once planned to fully reopen their economies by now are reverting back to earlier stages. If you’re the leader of a nonprofit organization trying to figure out how to put on a fundraiser, this probably isn’t good news. However, if you’re thinking about canceling, you should hear about Baker Auction Company’s new simulcast auction option first. I mentioned in the cover of this newsletter that Baker Auction Company would be offering a “hybrid” event option for cities with limits on how many people can gather in one place. In this situation, we can still help your organization put on a live auction for a limited number of people, while also creating an option for your supporters to be a part of the auction from their homes. By doing this, you can have the best of both worlds. Your supporters can have all the fun and glamor of being at a live fundraiser auction if they want, or they can participate from home where they feel safe. All the while, Introducing the Baker Auction Company Simulcast Auction The Best of Live and Virtual Auctions Together

Odds are if you’re a successful salesperson, you’ve cultivated a “sales personality” crucial to closing your deals. However, if you’re used to working face to face, it can be a challenge to translate your charismatic persona to the screen when you need to sell remotely. Video calls are a step in the right direction because they reveal body language and facial expressions, but they’re still not ideal. To make sure your charisma pops, try these handy tricks:

1. SECURE A TOP-QUALIT Y CONNECTION. Nothing kills the mood on a video call faster than a disintegrating picture or crackling audio. That’s why it’s crucial to test your mic, speakers, camera, and platform thoroughly before you use them with clients. If they can’t hear or see you, your personality doesn’t stand a chance. 2. SET YOUR STAGE. Every sale is a performance. Is there an uncluttered, calming backdrop behind you? Are you the right distance from the audience (the camera)? Does your costume fit the part? When all of these things are done right, your personality will take center stage without unnecessary or annoying distractions. 3. EXAGGERATE LIKE AN ACTOR. According to Psychology Today, posture, gestures, and facial expressions are key to communicating well over video. That means you need to be focused and constantly aware of them. Amp up your positive reactions, like eye contact with the camera, affirmative nods, and leaning in to listen, and tone down your gestures to avoid smacking a crucial piece of tech. 4. ASK QUESTIONS AND LISTEN ACTIVELY. A key part of a great sales persona is showing genuine interest in others according to Inc. magazine. When you can’t read the mood of a room, asking questions and listening closely will help you gauge the temperature. A subtle head tilt and hum of acknowledgment will help you come across as more empathetic and inquisitive. 5. MASTER THE MUTE BUTTON. If your neighbor starts the lawn mower or your dog starts barking, it pays to be quick on the mute button. Having fewer distractions means your charisma is more likely to shine.

With these strategies in your back pocket, your sales mojo will continue flowing, even from a distance. Good luck, and happy videoconferencing!

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We’re Here For You!

Our hearts go out to all of our clients who have had to reschedule their events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team is continuing to work diligently to adapt, pivot, and collaborate with all of you during this difficult time. While things have been uncertain, we are confident that we all have the potential to come out of this lockdown stronger than ever. Keep checking the Baker Auction Facebook page and website for event updates!

working together on this new package. As I’ve gotten to know Tyson, I can see that he wants to use his skills to help nonprofits of all sorts. That’s the sentiment at the heart of Winspire’s mission as well. As we move into the uncertain future, I’m looking forward to a long, successful partnership between our two companies. I think we’ll be able to help a lot of organizations, and in turn, a lot of people in need during these difficult times.

-Jason Champion

Take a break

because of the capacity limits, you’ll save on venue and food costs and potentially have more people participating than you would at a regular live auction, when you combine the number of live participants with those who tune in online. Our simulcast auctions are made possible by a special software program we’ve developed, and they make it easier than ever for people to participate online. All they have to do is click the login link, and they’ll be able to watch the live auction and the paddle raise in real time. Whenever an item goes up for auction, a picture of it will pop up on their screen, along with the option to bid on it. At the live venue, participants will be able to see when someone bid from their home. The auction will be as seamless as it would be if everyone were in the room! There are a lot of remote video auctions happening out there that just aren’t much fun. But, if you sign on with us, all your donors will get an energetic performance that will wow them wherever they are!

CAESAR FIREWORKS GRILLING INDEPENDENCE

LARKSPUR PEACHES PICNIC POPSICLES

RUBY SPARKLER SUNGLASSES SWIMMING 3

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PRSRT FIRST-CLASS MAIL USPOSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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WE HAVE A PLAN FOR EVERY SITUATION!

5 SECRETS TO SELLING ON VIDEO

A LONG, SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH WINSPIRE INTRODUCING THE BAKER AUCTION COMPANY SIMULCAST AUCTION

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WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!

HOWMEALS ON WHEELS ATLANTA STEPPED UP FOR ITS COMMUNITY

A Meal for Every Member of the Family Meals on Wheels Goes the Extra Mile

pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along too. One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly. The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.” Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well. On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.

Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything.

In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own

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