Let’s Be Honest…
I’ve been in hundreds of rooms where the auction starts strong — but halfway through, the energy fades.
The items are great. The guests are generous.
But something’s missing.
It’s not that people don’t want to give — it’s that they’re not feeling the moment that makes them want to.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the secret to a truly successful fundraising auction isn’t just what’s on the stage…
It’s what’s happening in the hearts of the people in the room.
The Shift: From Transaction to Transformation
We’re living in a time when donors no longer give just out of duty — they give because they believe.
When I’m on stage at an event in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, I’m not thinking about the dollar amount on the screen.
I’m thinking about the story we’re telling.
A weekend getaway sells better when I connect it to the escape your organization gives to families in crisis.
A dinner with a local chef becomes powerful when I remind the room of the impact that dinner will fund.
When people feel emotionally connected, they stop bidding on an item — and start investing in your mission.
Why Emotion Outperforms Logic Every Time
There’s real science behind this.
Neuroscience shows that when we feel emotionally moved, our empathy and generosity centers light up.
That’s when giving stops being about money and starts being about meaning.
And that’s the zone I aim for as an auctioneer.
That quiet moment when the room leans in.
That instant when someone’s heart says, “Yes, I want to be part of this.”
Those are the moments that drive the biggest results.
What I Focus On During Every Auction
Being an auctioneer is part strategy, part psychology, and part performance.
When I step onto the stage, here’s what I focus on:
Tell stories, not statistics.
People remember emotion long after they forget numbers.Keep energy alive.
The rhythm of the room is everything — pacing, tone, even silence.Make the mission the star.
Every paddle raised should feel like a celebration of your cause.See the people, not just the bids.
When donors feel seen, they give more confidently — and joyfully.
The Modern Donor Mindset (Especially Here in the Northeast)
In places like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, donors attend countless events every year.
They’ve seen it all — the raffles, the silent auctions, the fancy venues.
What they crave now is connection.
They want to be part of something that feels real, personal, and impactful.
That’s why emotion isn’t an accessory to your event — it’s the engine that drives generosity.
My Challenge to You
At your next auction, don’t just think about what you’re asking for.
Think about what you want people to feel.
Because when they feel something powerful — when they’re inspired, hopeful, or deeply moved — that’s when giving becomes effortless.
At Michael Green Auctions, that’s what we specialize in: creating emotional experiences that turn generosity into lasting impact.