Nonsequitur--I love you! I have so many negative Nelly's yapping at me, and you give me hope!
I agree--low key is best, but if you market yourself by explaining how their donation is helping your cause, that helps. Another helper--let them know that the community will be made aware of their donation(i.e. ad in the event program for free if they donate, or a mention onyour website). I like the companies that come right out and say they want to know how they're going to be acknowledged for their gift (Nike, Gap and I think Timex).
Don't forget the tight shirts and short skirts. THAT IS A JOKE!
When I first started people said they would just call. That works for some businesses, but for the more local places I prefer face to face. It is harder for them to say no if they are looking at you.
In the 4 or so years I've been begging, I've run into 1 extremely rude person. I've had several turn downs, especially from really small businesses and I understand that. Until PTO I felt like asking someone for something was equivilent to a horse beating.
Also - I have decided that there is a mindset that donations are harder to get than they really are. It's like a mental block.
I have been surprized at how generous people are. My sister says it's my pitch. I don't pressure or guilt trip people. I just ask if they can donate to the school auction, that I have a letter I can give them for taxes and say it's okay if they can't. And then I stop talking and see what they say. Sometimes I ask for something specific. If they say no, I say "Thanks I understand" and move on.
Every so often you run into someone who's overly generous that makes up for all the no's.
It's fun. But people need to get over the fear of asking.
This is a model of how to work with potential donors- (based on low key sales tactics)
1. Build a relationship - this doesn't take much, you can build a relationship in 3 seconds by introducing yourself and explaining the situation. "I'm ______. I'm in charge of donations for (school name)'s silent auction."
2. Ask up front and politely. "Can I talk you into donating an item for our auction?"
3 Respect their concerns. "I understand if you can't"
4 Then stop talking. Wait for their reply.
5 If they express a concern such as "I don't know what I could give," make a suggestion.
6 If they donate, thank them kindly and honestly. Visualizing that they just gave $60 to the school helps.
7 If they say no, say "thank you, I understand" and move on. Keep thinking the montra "Some will, some won't, so what? - Next!"
If you have never done this before, try this model until you find your own style. Having called around the country, I realize that different areas have certain ideas of what's rude or polite. Try different approaches.
EVERY ONE HAS BEEN TELLING ME I WAS CRAZY FOR TRYING TO GET DONATIONS DURING THE SUMMER. IT HAS BEEN MUCH EASIER AND PEOPLE ARE MORE WILLING TO GIVE BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS ASKING. I FEEL BETTER TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE OUT HERE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I ALWAYS GET VOLUNTEERED TO GET DONATIONS AND THEY DON'T BOTHER TO TELL ME UNTIL THE WEEK BEFORE THE EVENT. SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE DOING GREAT TOO. TRY YOUR LOCAL VIDEO STORES AND DRUG STORES. MINE USALLY DONATE VERY NICE THINGS. GOOD LUCK!!!
I keep mentioning this idea at PTA meetings and everyone keeps pretending that I didn't say it. I wonder if they find it distasteful.
Anyway, since we decided to move our auction to the fall at the last minute, hardly anyone who can help knows. I kept suggesting it but the old board didn't want to deal with planning another auction. So the new one moved it after school was out. But now I'm left with doing a lot of the donation finding myself over the summer. I decided to try my idea.
The idea was this - I have seen many business owners sell their inventory at garage sales. Brand new items still in packaging. I feel comfortable getting these items because since I have asthma, I can smell any smoke or other problems that would make an item undesirable.
I went out for less than 4 hours yesterday and this is what I came back with: (All items are new in original packing. I only asked for one thing at each place)
twin sheets
2 sets of basketball wall clings
Tom Clancey video game
2 how to books
ab roller plus with mat and video
party lite candle holder
11 pc votive set
Thermal bath spa
2 motion detector lamps
24 happy birthday cups
US flag
over 30 yards of various designer drapery fabrics (avarage value $25/yd)
2 evenflo baby gates
I looked up values on line and a conservation guess for the total value is $1500.00
Not bad for 1 day.
I have heard that Colorado has the best garage sales, so you may not be as successful if you try it.
I was hoping to have a good number of things before school started so we wouldn't feel overwhelmed. I'm more optimistic now about the auction.
