As Benefit Auction Specialists, professional fundraisers, event hosts, fundraising ambassadors and nonprofit champions, we truly believe that guest experience at events directly impacts how much donors will give.
So why would anyone ever consider putting a fauxtioneer on stage, when the goal is to raise as much money and awareness as possible while educating guests about their org’s mission? We define a fauxtioneer as a person without any formal training, education, licensing or credentials who impersonates an auctioneer and “auctioneers” anyway.
Watch the Marquam Minute!
Here at Marquam, ALL of our Auctioneers are Benefit Auction Specialists (BAS). BAS is a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of the world’s auctioneers by the National Auction Association, identifying charity fundraising as our specialty. Our team of auctioneers make up nearly 6% of the world’s Benefit Auction Specialists!
We are all graduates of nationally accredited Auction Colleges.
We take fundraising and auctioneering very seriously.
We keep our skills sharp with annual continuing ed. Not only because we enjoy it, but also because it’s a requirement for keeping our BAS designations.
Many of the webinars we write and present are used as continuing ed for other fundraisers and benefit auctioneers.We believe in education so much so that our founder, Misty Marquam, co-teaches and co-wrote the Benefit Auction Specialist curriculum that the National Auction Association uses today. TiWanna “TK” Kenney is joining the NAA BAS teaching staff and also teaches at The Auctioneer Academy in Waco, TX. Our auctioneers complete a two-to-three year apprenticeship, with a principal auctioneer, before they plan and lead events solo. That way, you can be assured we’re trained to effectively handle anything that comes our way during a live event.
Since guest experience is so critical to fundraising outcome, one would only entrust it to a seasoned, educated professional, whose specialty is fundraising, events, revenue strategy and donor preference. Right? A pro who helps limit the nonprofit’s liability. A pro who knows the rules, laws and local regulations – if you don’t know them, how can you know if you’re breaking them? A pro who is licensed, bonded and insured in that state/city/county/province. A pro who can wrangle the crowd, make them feel your mission in action AND have FUN. Right?
Not always. Many nonprofits seek the deal…the steal…the in-kind donation. Prioritizing saving a buck over upleveling their entire approach to planning and executing their fundraising events. Stifling growth and revenue opportunities in the process.
As Benefit Auction Specialists, we’re the ONLY role on your fundraising event stage which MAKES YOU MONEY. This is not the role to fill with a novice, volunteer or otherwise well-meaning yet untrained emcee or host.
We Ask:
- Are you satisfied with your current fundraising ambassador or auctioneer?
- Do they offer you pre-event consultation to help plan your timeline, run of show, program content, revenue strategy, script and video content?
- Are they pros at handling complex + tricky special appeal collection and auction sales? Raffles? Other revenue streams?
- Do they provide a full-service event support team of bid assistants and an event clerk to officially record all donations, bids and sales?
- Is your event revenue growing? Declining? Stagnant?
- Is your event receiving glowing reviews, remarks and feedback from donors? Board? Staff? Volunteers?
- Was your ‘auctioneer’ easy to work with, communicative and responsive?
If you answered no to any of the above, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate not only your approach but your low expectations of your fundraising professional too.
It’s a critical role NOT for the faint of heart.
AUCTIONEERING is so much more than simply calling out numbers. Can your fundraising ambassador handle tricky stuff like live auction hidden doubles, reserve + minimum sale prices, last second additions, progressive bid events, challenge matches, disruptive bidders? Can they expertly execute a live auction? Are they licensed and insured to do so?
We guide our partners through our strategic CONSULTATION PROCESS. We’ll tailor content to your org’s unique needs. We meet you where you are and cover all of the important things that will elevate everyone’s experience.
Our process is loaded with hacks, best practice and fresh ideas to elevate your fundraising and events. It’s streamlined and simple to follow and execute. And white-glove customer service ensures you feel supported and have everything you need during the planning process.
We pore over YOURS to craft strategies that net your org maximum revenue with minimal stress. During this process, we identify donors’ giving preferences so we can cater directly to them. Imagine how much more effective this is than a volunteer shooting in the dark.
LAW: Liquor, Raffle, Gaming, Auctioneering…
This can be a lot of liability for nonprofits to assume without a pro in their corner. No worries about navigating the details with us. We guide you through what you need to know and can refer you to the right folks for additional detailed information.
LIABILITY
Untrained fundraising hosts may very well be blissfully unaware that they’re not only adversely impacting fundraising outcomes, they may also be breaking laws. Liability Insurance, for example. We require it of our Benefit Auction Specialists. Ours are insured, licensed+bonded; they’re also educated and experienced. So when things go sideways, as they often do, you can rest easy.
We also track MARKET TRENDS and pay close attention to what appeals to donors and what’s selling well, both in our market and across the country. As Benefit Auction Specialists, staying on top of market trends and donor preferences is our passion! It enables us to give your donors precisely what they want.
We love what we do and networking and influencing the direction of our industry are big motivators. We network with each other, naturally, and with other Benefit Auction Specialists and fundraisers around the world. Brainstorming new ideas, validating metrics+best practice benefits us AND you! At the risk of sounding clichéd, it’s an honor and a privilege to do what we do. Using our connections to influence and understand the future of philanthropy, giving and events is such a blast!
We are your fundraising and event ONE-STOP SHOP!
Count on us for ALL of it:
Videography, Scripting + Marketing
Benefit Auction Specialist vs. Fauxtioneer
When the goal is to raise as much money as you possibly can, a Benefit Auction Specialist at the helm of your fundraising ship is essential. Fundraising for charity truly is one of those things in life that’s both an art AND a science! There is an entire world – no, a GALAXY – of difference between a well-meaning volunteer and a professional Benefit Auction Specialist. Do you really want to trust raising critical funds and awareness to anyone other than a maven? We didn’t think so. Reach out. Let’s chat!