Marketing

I've also been learning about marketing recently.

I'm not going to get people to my auction unless they know about it.  Lindsay, of Rescue:Freedom, suggested that I come up with a Facebook page ALONG with the Facebook invitation.  She also suggested that I come up with a contest to drum up some interest.  SO, if you "like" my page AND share it on your FB feed, I'll enter you into a drawing to win a free painting.  The drawing will be at the auction.  I think that's helped, and I'll continue to post about that.

I'm also coming up with a flyer and poster for the auction.  I'm also coming up with places to display those.  SO, if you know of a good place, let me know!  I have no idea how many posters I'll need, and I'm not sure how many I can afford to print.  God will make a way.  I'll be putting them up at my previous church, friend's churches, in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.  I'll be advertising in community newspapers, and I'm not sure where else.  I'd thought of Craigslist, but that also creeps me out.  We'll see...

Candice Russell of the Hollywood Auditions of Season 11 of American Idol

So, one exciting thing happened this week.  I got a musician to perform at the auction.  Her name's Candice Russell, and she made it to the Hollywood auditions of Season 11 of American Idol.  Admittedly, I never saw her on TV.  However, I've recently seen her sing on YouTube, and she's very good!  You can listen to her at candicerussell.com. 

She reminds me of Clay Aiken, in that I watched his American Idol audition and thought, "there's your winner."  He got second place and now has a career in music.  Now, she looks nothing like Clay Aiken, but she's another one of those performers where you think, "Wow, this person's got 'it'."  So, we'll see where her career goes.  I'm just glad to have someone truly talented performing.

I got in touch with her in the first place because her dad knows Jeremy, the president of Rescue:Freedom.  That guy knows everyone!

Candice's album releases soon, and she's still learning the guitar version of all of her songs.  So, during the auction, we'll play her CD in the background.  Right before we give our "ask", she'll sing one of her songs live (to a recorded track).  It's perfect because the song is actually about trafficking. 

Also, one thing I'm thankful for that I didn't think too much about beforehand is the tone her music will set.  It's perfect for what we're doing!  Her music's catchy and upbeat, and she's pitch perfect.  I think playing her music in the background is also good because we'll be able to hear each other over the music when we're just talking to friends at the auction.  I personally hate it when you go somewhere (unless it's a concert) and you can't hear because the music's so loud.

She's also willing to play for free.  She's getting some exposure, helping out for a cause she also cares about, and getting a chance to sell her CDs at our event ($10 each).  So, it's turning out to be a win-win for everyone!

Today I collected ten more art and craft pieces for the auction.  I'm so glad that I'm have enough art to put on an auction.  I still need more as I really do want to provide folks with a variety of things to choose from.  I also want to have a variety of price points.  I want more expensive art for those that can afford it.  Also, expensive art has the potential to bring in more funding for Rescue:Freedom and their partners who are benefitting from this. 

I also want less expensive art for everyone else!  I think it would be disappointing to show up for an auction and then totally be priced out of participation.  Also, it all adds up.  Ten pieces going for $20 each is still $200.

So, variety for me is key.

Featuring One of the Auction Artists

Here's a link to an artist who's donated a sculpture.  I'm sitting next to one of them now!  Thanks for sending it, Merla:

http://merlafrazey-jordan.com/gallery-of-horse-sculptures.html

I got some good news yesterday.  You know how the singers who make it to the "Hollywood" stage are really good?  Well, because of a Rescue:Freedom connection, one of them has agreed to perform at my auction for FREE.  We'll play this person's CD during the event, and then this singer has agreed to perform one song live.  It's just what the event needs!  I wanted music there, but it needed to set the right tone.  It also couldn't be too loud or distracting.  I'm not a fan of not being able to hear the conversation at parties.  So, this person is perfect.  I can't say who it is yet!  But, I will soon.

Also, the artwork is trickling in.  As are the volunteers and the food.  Now to just get people there...

Elephants

 

 What can I say?  I love to paint.  I love elephants.  Might as well paint them...

Right now I'm learning about the importance of relationships, especially the importance of relationships with artists.  As I've sent out my "call to artists" for this auction, it's definitely been more of the artists who are my friends as opposed to acquaintances who have responded to me.