Guerrilla Tactics for SBA. • How to maximize your SBA easels. • The best place to
attract customers. • How to collect your money. • Working with retailers.
• Fill out and fax/e-mail the “sale” report to the SBA coordinator at DU Headquarters. Also report sales to the committee treasurer. • Keep all bidders’ names and addresses. They have just demonstrated they are interested in the products you sell at your DU events…so invite them!
When to Close the Auction • Most print auctions run from 7-14 days. • Check on the number of bids in the box regularly. If “enough” bids are inside, then you may elect to close the auction and begin the next one. • The more often you can close one auction and start the next one, the more conservation dollars you can collect. • After a few weeks, if the average sale price is less than $150 and bidding is light, most likely you need a fresh location or you can try to lengthen the auction turnaround. • If you are getting few bids and the bid length is at least 14 days, you should find a better location—they are out there! • Experiment! Keep notes on successes and failures—learn what works in your location. • Complete each transaction as quickly as possible. Keep the customer happy and move reports/income to DU Headquarters in a timely fashion.
Guerrilla Tactics for SBA
Multiply Your Sales • If 2 or more bidders have the same high bid and you have multiple items, sell to both individuals. Make sure you have sufficient merchandise before making a promise to deliver. • Some people have sold multiple prints/items once a certain income threshold has been met, similar to a “Dutch Auction.” Set your minimum at 3:1 or higher for best results.
Thank you for making this program successful. Do it for “DU!” For more information or to volunteer, contact:
Where does a 600-pound gorilla put his easels? • How to maximize your SBA easels • The best place to attract customers • How to collect your money
DU# Q0723
• Working with retailers • When to close the auction • Multiply your sales
The Silent Bid Auction (SBA) program is potentially one of the best grassroots fundraising programs Ducks Unlimited has embarked upon outside of the DU banquet system. In fact, it is designed to function outside the standard event to bring in supplemental income. The SBA program will make significant income for our precious waterfowl resource and gives us the opportunity to spread the DU story to people we might not otherwise contact. The program is very exciting and different. One individual, working for the committee, can make a significant impact for waterfowl and wetlands. On the average, with each print sold through the SBA program, Ducks Unlimited is able to turn that income into one or more acres of habitat in our conservation program. In the prime breeding areas, one acre is enough to support a brood of ducks on a yearly basis. Following are tips to help you to maximize your SBA efforts, thus, helping DU to maximize efforts in waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
Guerrilla Gorilla Tactics for SBA How to Maximize your SBA Easels • Recruit the appropriate volunteer(s) to run the program. • An individual doesn’t have to be on the regular committee to run the program. They may just want to contribute to DU fundraising in a meaningful way. • The SBA volunteer is “A Committee of One.” With each print sale, they are doing their part to conserve one acre of habitat. • A youth service organization should not be overlooked. A college business or marketing club or wildlife/forestry fraternity may be a fit. • Make sure you have enough prints/items ordered to sell continuously. Consistency is paramount.
Tips for the Best Places to Attract Customers • Just as in the Real Estate industry, the game is location, location, location! • Place SBA easels in a prominent area within a high traffic location.
• Find locations that attract people with desire for the items you have to sell. • Locations that have been successful: grocery stores, truck stops, restaurants, hotels, casinos, shooting/hunting clubs, golf courses, veterinary clinics, beauty shops, barber shops, and many others. • Experiment with locations—you may be surprised. • For maximum impact, run the easel continuously until the bids become “stale” then give this location a rest. If it has been a good location, reconsider it at a later date. • Talk to others in your state/region who have experience with the program.
Working with Retailers • Recruit past supporters of DU that have appropriate high-traffic businesses. • Use the DU banquet to promote the easel program. You may attract retailers to help with the program and source new high traffic locations. • When asking to place your SBA easels: If the retailer likes the DU Conservation message, let him know that each print sale relates to one additional wetland habitat acre. Give the retailer recognition in the event program or through other means available to your committee. Make sure the retailers understand they have NO liability. DU takes full responsibility for any breakage or damage. Reinforce your partnership with the retailer by asking about additional traffic driven to the location because of the easel. By all means, remember to thank the retailers for support in person, with a written note and publicly at your events.
How to Collect the Money • Contact the bidder or bidders informing them of their winning bid. • Arrange for payment—cash, check, or credit cards are accepted—credit cards are preferred because of their ease in handling. • Arrange for pick-up or delivery of item. If done in person, remember to “plug” the DU message and the events in the area. • If shipping is involved, charge the buyer for shipping and handling—the buyer expects to pay shipping charges.
