Richard O'Keef

Resumé/Bio

Hi. I'm Richard O'Keef, and I've discovered there are certain things you and I can do to bring out the generosity in people.

You see, generosity is an emotion, and the amount of money people spend at your fundraising event will depend on how they feel. From the moment your guests step into your event until the time they leave, they are in YOUR realm of influence. What you do (or fail to do) during that time can make a difference in how generous your guests feel. Here is what I've discovered:

If your guests feel like royalty, get choked up with emotion over your cause, want what you're selling, and discover the thrill of bidding, not only will they give you a lot of their money, but they will thank YOU on their way out.

I will show you how to make that happen when I meet with you and your committee.

Music

Music can have a powerful effect on how people feel. It can inspire, uplift and MOTIVATE. Here is what I've discovered:

If I use just the right music during the description of each auction item, it can cause people to reflect, tap their feet, bounce in their seats, and bid when they weren't planning on it. Just look at how music is used in radio and TV commercials. Why not use music to our advantage while we have a captive audience during the live auction? Music makes the live auction more entertaining and makes guest feel more like bidding.

I can make that happen.

Bid Calling

I've also discovered that guests react differently to the different styles that auctioneers use when calling for bids - be they professional auctioneers or not. Some styles can actually be boring and uninspiring - even irritating and insulting. After all the work you've done to get this far, you want an auctioneer who can get the highest bids and be entertaining at the same time.

That's why I've studied people's reactions to my bid calling over the last 13 years, and have fine-tuned my style of bid calling to make my auctions as fun and profitable as possible.

Everything you do at your fundraiser should be to inspire generosity and remove any excuses that would discourage people from being generous. Let me help you make your next fundraiser the most successful ever.

Here are some of the organizations I've served:

• American Lung Association
• March of Dimes
• Boy Scouts of America
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring Foundation
• Boys & Girls Club
• Travelers Aid Society
• Utah Boys Ranch
• CHOICE Humanitarian
• Jr. League of Salt Lake City
• Ouelessebougou
• Kostopolis Dream Foundation
• Utah Juniors Volley Ball Club
• Sugar House Rotary
• Grace Lutheran School
• Welby Elementary School
• South Valley Sanctuary
• Cosgriff School
• Waterford School
• Associated Food Stores
• Candle Lighters
• Jordan School District
• Rocky Point Haunted House
• Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
• Reid School
• West High School Choir
• Skyline High School Baseball Team
• Alta High School Baseball Team
• Easter Seals
• Community Nursing Services
• American Heart Association
• University of Utah Museum of Fine Art
• Bad Dog Rediscovers America
• Westminister College
• Nature Conservancy
• Utah Museum of Natural History
• Wasatch Humane
• Image Reborn Foundation
• Park City Academy
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Davis County Arts
• Utah Youth Village
• Red Butte Garden
• Alzheimers Foundation
• YMCA
• Huntsman Cancer Institute
• Hawk Watch International
• University of Utah Hospital Foundation
• Dutch Oven Cooking Society
• SPLORE
• Homeward Bound Foundation
• Redeemer Lutheran School
• St. Sophia School
• Davis School District