Staging Diva Provides Advice for Silent Auction Donations

TORONTO, ON, May 14, 2011 (Press-News.org) Participating in silent auctions can be an effective way for home stagers to promote their services. However, home stagers are often confused about how to display their donations during such auctions since home staging is an intangible service. Debra Gould, The Staging Diva, offers specific tips in the Home Staging Business Report to assist home stagers in developing a strategy for silent auction donations.

A silent auction is a fundraiser for a school or an organization where tables are set up so attendees can view product displays and decide which ones they want to bid on. There are typically bid sheets next to each donated item so that participants can write down their name and the amount they're willing to pay for that item. The highest bidder gets that item and the money goes to the charity.

Debra Gould, founder of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program, explains that donating a gift certificate is a natural fit for home staging or interior redesign services, but that it is important to create an attractive table display to get the attention of bidders.

"If you're participating in a silent auction, I suggest going to the art supply store and buying a small wooden easel, a heavy piece of black card stock and several pretty pieces of handmade paper. You might paint the easel to make it look nice if it's a plain wooden one," says Gould. "Then glue the pieces of handmade paper in a layered pattern on the card stock so there is a 2- or 3-inch border of each color to the center, where your gift certificate will be displayed. After propping up your presentation on the easel, it will more easily compete for attention with other 3-dimensional displays," Gould adds.

Gould emphasizes the importance of looking at the event from a marketing perspective: "Part of the reason for making a donation is to gain exposure. Otherwise, you might as well just make an anonymous donation, send your money and not bother with the event. You participate in a silent auction because you want to leverage your presence there."

Gould also recommends displaying a stack of brochures with before and after photos and some basic information about available services. The goal is to give attendees something they can take home and keep. For that reason, some home stagers choose to add a small gift basket to their offering so the highest bidder has something tangible they can enjoy right away.

Home stagers looking for more details on promoting their services through silent auctions can visit the Home Staging Business Report on the Staging Diva website.

Contact

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva
Six Elements Inc.
416-691-6615
debragould@stagingdiva.com
http://www.stagingdiva.com

About Staging Diva

The creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program, Debra Gould has staged millions of dollars worth of real estate, including seven of her own homes. She is the president of home staging firm SixElements.com and has trained over 4000 home stagers to start and grow their own businesses.

Debra has gained international recognition through features in major media in the US and Canada including: This Old House, HGTV, CNN Money, CBC National News, CBS Radio, Global TV, City TV, The Wall Street Journal, Women's Day, Reader's Digest and more.