OUR BLOG

Qtego receives award for support and innovativeness in fund raising!

February 28th, 2013Posted by QtegoUncategorized

We are humbled and honored to be given the Impact Award by Make A Wish.

No words can express the joy this brings our company. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.

The award reads:

With true inspiration and a genuine collaborative spirit, you help a child’s wish come to life.

You enable a child to find a renewed strength and optimism to fight their medical condition.

We thank you for the remarkable impact you create through the magic of Make-A-Wish

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How to increase auction revenues before your event doors open.

December 8th, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction

Mobile phone bidding is a Qtego (Patent Pending) innovation that has transformed the silent auction into a 24×7 fundraiser that allows you to raise money before, during, and after your event. Event planners can now open their silent auctions before their event doors even open. When you move your traditional auction to advance event bidding you are allowing attendees and non attendees to bid from their mobile phones adding a new level of excitement to your event.

When you use Qtego’s advance bidding platform (TM) your guests can register for the auction by simply entering their name, phone number and credit card. Once the bidder has registered they can view the silent auction items, view the live items and start bidding. Many of the organizations we serve like to encourage advance bidding before the event has started with up to 35% of their revenue being generated prior to the doors to the event being opened!

Here’s an example of how it works:

Continue reading

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Non-profit Event ticketing made easy!

October 10th, 2012Posted by QtegoGiving Marketing

Qtego’s Event ticketing is your nonprofit event ticketing solution. Regardless of the size and type of nonprofit fundraiser you are organizing.

Sell Entry tickets

Customize your event ticket page

Collect donation payments

Receive guests special request

Showcase your organization’s logo

Contact us today to get started!


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Qtego And Make A Wish Nebraska on Channel 8 News

July 25th, 2012Posted by QtegoUncategorized

Hundreds of Nebraska children are currently undergoing major medical treatment all while waiting for their wishes to come true.

Tuesday night, the community, along with some local celebrities, gathered to try and help with the healing process.

12-year-old Hope Weber brings to the 8th annual Make A Wish Fundraiser just what her name suggests: hope to the other children there fighting life threatening illnesses like she did. Also hope to the donors who’s money will go to grant those children their ultimate wish.

Her wish was granted last year. “I felt like one of the luckiest people on this earth, one of the most blessed people on this earth,” said Hope.

$100,000 is the goal, that’s 10 to 15 wishes for Lincoln’s sick children, and with a goal bigger than ever, the Make a Wish Foundation did everything in their power to make it easier than ever to raise money.

“Instead of having the old paper bidding silent auctions, this year you can bid with Qtego and text your bid so it works like eBay and you can set a maximum bid and it’ll just keep bidding for you. You don’t even have to stay there and watch you can just go walk around and mingle,” said Kiley Thiele with the foundation.

An effective convenience that could make all the difference in the life of one of the 130  Nebraska children waiting to have their wishes granted. Children like Hope, who received a pace maker, two valve replacements and liver transplants within just four months.

Now, she can share her story of thanks to all those who donated to her wish. “I hope kids with big illnesses will just get to kick back and have some fun and just forget. Forget that they have an illness,” said Hope.

Click here to see the video Make A Wish NE

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Wishes in Flight

June 15th, 2012Posted by QtegoGiving Marketing

You Hold the Ticket to a child’s Wish

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® needs more than 2.5 billion miles, or 50,000 round-trip tickets, to grant wishes each year. Every mile donated helps wish kids and their families travel to destinations around the world. Once donated, your miles will never expire and are used to support wishes across the country. This is just one simple way you can help grant a life-changing wish experience. Qtego is proud to offer its interactive text service to help establish miles donations by texting MILES to 86132.

Click here to donate miles now

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Now, The Choice is yours

June 8th, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction

Text based or NEW mobile site.

Qtego Auction Technology is proud to announce their latest auction innovation – the Qtego SmartPhone website.

Now anyone can bid on items (present at event or not)

See auction item information and current bid prices

Make a donation to your cause

Vote for their favorite team

Event organizers can showcase their sponsors

Push real-time event information


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Indians partner with Qtego

June 4th, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction Marketing


The Indianapolis Indians have chosen Qtego as their official text and auction provider.

For the second year in a row the Indianapolis Indians have chosen Qtego for their text services.

Fans of the Indianapolis Indians can experience new ways to connect at Victory Field with in-field and out-of-park promotions by using their cell phones. Specifically, fans will be able to text for more information, join prize giveaways and participate in auctions all powered by Qtego Marketing Solutions, Inc.
The connectivity is the result of a partnership with the Indianapolis Indians. Qtego, an Indianapolis-based company powers some of the largest galas and silent auctions using its patent- pending technology, allowing the user to place bids, be notified when outbid and check the status of their item, all while using mobile text messages.
“Qtego has made quite an impression within the silent auction community for being the best at providing cutting-edge technology and knowledgeable service in an easy to use platform,” said Joel Zawacki, director of corporate Sales and Marketing for the Indianapolis Indians. “We feel assured knowing that Qtego serves as our official text and auction provider.”
Click here for video

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Just a swipe is all it takes!

May 18th, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction Giving Pay

Introducing Qtego’s new check out service.

Easy check-ins and easy check outs are now possibly with Qtego’s auction technology. Upon entry to your fundraising event, guests choose to expedite their evening by registering their cellular phone number and swiping their credit card.

Checking out at the end of your event has never been easier. Guests simply confirm their winning bids, pick up their item, and they are done.

And best of all Qtego’s servers are now 100% PCI compliant, which means any sensitive credit card information is 100% safe and secure.

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IUPUI Event Management Class learns about Qtego Auctions

May 16th, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction Giving

In an Event Management class at IUPUI in April, students learned how technology from Qtego has increased silent auction fundraising at Gala’s and other not-for-profit events.

Joe Pence, Co-founder of Qtego, gave the presentation.  He shared how Qtego’s use of guests’ cellular phones for bidding at events has increased overall bidding and giving activity.

With Qtego Auction Technology’s instant updates, participants receive text or phone updates, making the bidding more fun and more frequent—running up the winning price! The bidder-specific messaging also alerts auction start and close times so that last-minute bids aren’t lost.

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Qtego receives 100% PCI Compliance!

April 26th, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction

What is the PCI security standards council?

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council is an institution set up by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa International with the aim of enhancing payment account security. It aims to achieve this goal through the mandatory adoption of the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) by all businesses that store, process and/or transmit credit/debit card data.

What is PCI DSS?

PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This standard (commonly known as ‘PCI’) represents a common set of security due diligence practices that help ensure the safe handling of payment card data. Created by the five major card companies (American Express, JCB, MasterCard and Visa), this standard comprises 12 distinct requirements that are designed to:

  • Build and maintain a secure network
  • Protect (cardholder) data in transit or at rest
  • Maintain a vulnerability management program
  • Implement strong access control measures
  • Regularly monitor and test your IT infrastructure
  • Maintain an information security policy.

What are the benefits of implementing PCI DSS?

PCI DSS is a binding collection of rules that promote IT security processes. PCI DSS aims to reduce financial fraud through heightened network security capabilities of whoever processes payment card information. There are many benefits of PCI DSS compliance. The most fundamental ones for an organization are:

  • Protection of customers’ personal data
  • Increased customer confidence through a higher level of data security
  • Increased protection against financial losses and remediation costs that arise from security breaches
  • Maintain customer trust, and safeguard reputation
  • Benchmark and assess the security mechanisms of systems that store, process and/or transmit payment cardholder data.
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Don’t let poor cellular signal stop your cellular phone bidding!

March 22nd, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction

Qtego now offers cell phone signal boosters to overcome the problem of  auction venues where there is a weak or no cell signal. The booster resolves the issues of dropped calls, limited range and slow data rates for cell phones and data cards by amplifying weak cellular signals. The cell signal boosters are able to pick up weak cellular signals from a cell tower and transmit them to your cellular device, and then transmit a more powerful signal back to the tower.

So don’t let a weak cell phone signal prevent you from using mobile text bidding for your next fundraiser. Let Qtego boost your cellular signal so you can boost your Silent Auction revenues!

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How to Price Silent Auction Items

January 29th, 2012Posted by QtegoAuction

One way to determine the price of an auction item is to simply ask. When you solicit donations, create a donor form with a section where donors can indicate the value of their items. If no value is known, use eBay and other online-auction websites to ascertain the item’s worth. Start the bidding at about 40 percent of the item’s retail price, using a round number.

Once items donated to a silent auction have been organized into categories and sorted, it’s time to start pricing. Pricing is really a matter finding the tipping point between starting high enough to maximize value and starting low enough to interest the most possible bidders. It’s important to remember that most silent auction items will generally come fairly close to their value anyway, because attendees want to support an organization. Lower starting bids will likely generate more overall activity for the auction.

Bidders will bid on more items to begin with if the amounts they are bidding are not individually of enormous consequence (not to mention if they believe they won’t actually end up with the item). An attitude of, “Well, either I’ll get it cheap, or I’ll bid it up for the charity” is not uncommon. However, there is only a limited amount of time for auction bidding and attendees are also chatting, networking and sometimes drinking – there needs to be only a reasonable amount of bids in order to get the item up to (or close to) value.

Setting Starting Bids for Items

In general, starting bids should be about 50% of declared value, or slightly less (choose a nice round number, ending with a 0 or a 5 for starting bids below $100 or a 0 for bids over $100. There are some exceptions – following a gut feeling is appropriate here. If the staff member or volunteer pricing items is not in the same financial circumstances as a “typical” attendee, it might be of value to consult with someone who is the “target market” for item bidding, because their instincts on what makes sense is invaluable.

For items that are not sold on the open market, or items that are signed and not professionally valued, list “priceless” as the value and price based on instinct as indicated above. For items that do have a set value, use donor-provided pricing, or if not provided, use typical market pricing. If there is a discrepancy there, generally go with the donor-provided amount.

Setting Minimum Raises for Items

A minimum raise is the amount a new bid needs to increase from the previous bid. In general, items with starting bids of $50 or below should have a minimum raise of $5. For items starting between $50 and $150, the minimum raise should be $10. For items starting over $150, move to $20 or $25. For items starting over $500, a $50 raise is appropriate. For items starting over a $1000, a $100 raise is not unreasonable. For items starting at more than $2500 value, depending on the attendee profile, a $250 raise is not out of line. However, it might also be appropriate, given that those items are likely worth $5000 or more, to consider a live auction format rather than silent bid sheets.

Minimum raises should always be nice round numbers. While it may be tempting to have $40 raises or $125 raises, it is just going to create confusion on the math for those who are bidding while chatting and holding drinks. In general, stick to $5, $10, $20, $25, $50, $100 and so on. If it’s not a value that can be found on paper money or coin (match with which everyone is really comfortable), it’s not a good idea.

After starting bids and minimum raises have been determined, it’s paperwork time! See the article Creating Silent Auction Bid Sheets for the next step.

Information from ehow.com and suite101.com

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Fox 59 and Qtego provide donation line for State Fair victims.

August 18th, 2011Posted by QtegoGiving

From 6am-6pm today, Fox59 will dedicate 12 hrs of live & taped broadcasts to raise money for the victims of the state fair tragedy & their families. This “Day of Dedication” ends with a special broadcast tonight at 6. This morning, we’re asking viewers to consider any size donation they can offer for those in need. You can donate to the Indiana State Fair victims by calling the Fox 59 and Qtego provided donation line. 1 (866) 970-1993

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Greater Giving has partnered with Qtego!

August 16th, 2011Posted by QtegoAuction Giving

Want to make your next benefit event easier to manage and run—and make more money?

Greater Giving delivers fundraising solutions that help you raise more money with less effort. In 2010, Greater Giving clients raised over $250M at live events and over $80M online.  Recently Greater Giving partnered with Qtego, to deliver a better benefit auction experience for nonprofits and their event guests. When nonprofits use Greater Giving and Qtego at their fundraiser, they streamline and simplify check-in, checkout, and post-event reconciliation, reduce the tasks related to managing live and silent auctions and special appeals, and drive more auction revenue.

How?

Continue reading

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How to run a Fund-A-Need program

July 20th, 2011Posted by QtegoAuction Giving

What is a Fund-A-Need program or special appeal? These programs are simply pledge or donation methods that focus on a special cause. The Fund-A-Need program is most effective when delivered in charity auctions that are designed to support the beneficiary nonprofit. The Fund-A-Need program is also known by many other names such as Fund-A-Cause, Fund-A-Cure, Give, Helping Hands and Raise Your Paddles to name a few. Fund-A-Need programs and special appeals are recognized by charities and nonprofits alike as extremely effective tools for generating significant revenue, literally within minutes.

First, chose the method you will use to record the gifts. Using an auction management system like Qtego makes the Fund-A-Need easy by recording each donation, whether the guest sends their donations by text message, phone call or paper.  Qtego will record and add the gift to each guest’s account for quick collection and checkout.

You must also decide on the need that you will fund. It is imperative that you describe the benefit that will be achieved. For example, who will receive the benefits, or what opportunities will it provide? Determine the amount of money needed to completely achieve the goal. Create funding levels that most people who attend your event can participate in. For example: $100 will feed a child for a month, $500 will provide new clothes, etc.

Contact key donors before the event to determine their level of commitment and find those willing to contribute matching funds. Make sure to acknowledge their donations at the auction to inspire other donors or to generate the initial bidding. Continue reading

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Electronic auction bidding debuts on area gala scene

July 13th, 2011Posted by QtegoAuction

Imagine what it would be like to walk into a familiar gala, head for the silent-auction displays and then find no bid sheets. No pens. No competing bids.

A recent article appeared in Naples.com written by Suzy Dorr  Click here for full story

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Sample letter to request silent auction items

July 12th, 2011Posted by QtegoAuction

Sample Fundraising Letter: Request Items for Silent Auction
Is your charity planning to hold a silent auction in the near future? Before you can hold a successful auction fundraising event, you’ll need to secure donations from businesses and individuals throughout your community. Having an outstanding item donation request fundraising letter can go a long way toward helping you collect an excellent selection of merchandise that will result in a fun evening for your supporters and a significant fundraising success for your
charity!

Dear [Recipient's Name]:

[Name of organization] will be holding a silent auction fundraising event on [date]. [Name of organization] provides [services offered] to individuals whose lives are impacted by [issue] in our area. All of the funds raised from this event will be used to support [name of organization]’s work in our local community.

We’re in the process of collecting merchandise for the event, and I’m writing to request your assistance in making the [name of the organization] event a success. By donating an item, you’ll be making a tax deductible contribution that will help [name of organization] continue to help make life better for individuals in need, right here in our community.

Additionally, you’ll benefit from exposure of your company’s name to those who attend the event. Donors will be listed on the event program, and the merchandise you give will be on display through the event. As a donor, you’ll be invited to attend the event, so you’ll be able to meet prospective customers and even possibly find a few bargains of your own.

Won’t you consider donating an item to support the continued work of [name of organization]? You may reach me at [phone number], or I’ll call you by [date] to find out how you would like to participate in the [name of organization] silent auction.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Silent Auction Coordinator

Source: Red Hot Fundraising Ideas

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Passive Online Auctions Lack Personal Touch

July 5th, 2011Posted by QtegoAuction

Some nonprofit organizations use online auctions as a way to gain online presence and earn money for their cause. But one concern arises:  “Will having an online auction get you the most revenue for your items?”

Most online bidding is a passive email exchange that generally only works from the bidder’s home computer or Smart Cell phones that have email access.

Unfortunately, emails don’t command the instant attention that text messages or phone calls do.

Qtego’s technology uses instant text messages or phone calls for bidding. Bidders simply send the item and bid amount and receive instant notification when they are the high bidder and when they have been outbid.

Cell phone technology is the most efficient way to actively engage bidders in the bidding process. Receiving updates through text messages or phone calls allows the bidder to stay updated on the items they’re interested in, while also engaging them in the competitive nature of silent auctions.

When organizations hire live auctioneers to engage with the audience, they seek to actively motivate bidders to place their bids. Qtego’s bidding technology actively engages bidders in silent auctions in the same manner with instant responses to their bids.

Here’s an example of how it works:

1. Bidder views the list of silent auction items on the organization’s website.

2. Bidder sends text message of the item number and bid amount to Qtego.

3. Qtego immediately responds to bidder to confirm s/he is the high bidder.

4. If the bidder gets outbid, s/he receives a text message that s/he has been outbid, including the bid s/he must make to again be the highest bidder.

5. Bidder rebids with the amount to be the highest bidder again.

6. Bidder wins the item and receives a text message regarding purchase and retrieval of the item.

So by texting and calling using Qtego’s technology, you can have those NBA tickets the same day, before tip-off.

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Qtego Added to Indians’ Partnership Roster!

June 23rd, 2011Posted by QtegoUncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


Indianapolis Indians choose Qtego as official text and auction provider

Fans of the Indianapolis Indians can experience new ways to connect at Victory Field with in-field and out-of-park promotions by using their cell phones. Specifically, fans will be able to text for more information, join prize giveaways and participate in auctions all powered by Qtego Marketing Solutions, Inc.
The new connectivity is the result of a partnership with the Indianapolis Indians. Qtego, an Indianapolis-based company powers some of the largest galas and silent auctions using its patent- pending technology, allowing the user to place bids, be notified when outbid and check the status of their item, all while using mobile text messages.
“Qtego has made quite an impression within the silent auction community for being the best at providing cutting-edge technology and knowledgeable service in an easy to use platform,” said Joel Zawacki, director of corporate partnerships for the Indianapolis Indians. “We feel assured knowing that Qtego serves as our official text and auction provider.”
Last month, Qtego aided in the pink jersey silent auction that raised more than $3,000 for the Community Health Network Foundation, Breast Cancer Fund. Click here for video
“With over 200 bids placed using our cell phone bidding technology, all 30 jerseys were won,” said Brad Benge, co-founder of Qtego. “We hope to bring extra entertainment value to each game, while also raising money for local charities.”
Qtego will use their auction technology in the upcoming camouflage jersey silent auction during the June 25 home game at Victory Field starting at 7:05 p.m. Visitors will be able to view and bid on the jerseys, as the Indians sport the auction items on-field. Proceeds will benefit the National Guard Relief Fund.
Additionally, Qtego will assist the Indians with the Lend a Helping Glove program. Five, large, decorated baseball gloves are on display throughout the Indianapolis community, allowing supporters to use Qtego’s technology to vote on their favorite design. The non-profit receiving the most votes will receive a donation on behalf of the Indianapolis Indians.
For more information about Qtego and its services, visit QtegoAuction.com or view posts on the Qtego Twitter Page at Twitter.com/Qtego.

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Checklist For Silent Auction

May 8th, 2011Posted by QtegoAuction Giving

Running a silent auction fundraiser requires some amount of organization. Making a checklist of potential auction ideas will help you keep them organized.

Pre-Event checklist

  • Organize donations into categories and packages
  • Confirm event location has cell and text service
  • Create signage and item displays
  • Decide how to promote sponsors
  • Determine pricing for items
  • Determine auction start and end times
  • Access your customized Qtego Auction website and review training
  • Enter your auction items into your Qtego Auction website
  • Print item descriptions and auction catalog (optional)
  • Organize volunteers and their assignments
  • Prepare your lock box and money for change at check out
  • Determine if you want to promote independent donations using Qtego Giving
  • “Qtego recommends having a computer, printer and internet access at the event so you can access your auction information on Qtego’s website and print winner’s receipts.”
  • Determine if you will be using Computer/TV monitors to display bidding activity

Day of the Event checklist

  • Set up items for display
  • Provide a Item number and description sheet for each item
  • Make auction catalog or Item summary sheets accessible
  • Set up auction administration area (computer and printer with Internet access)
  • Set up check out area
  • Provide item and banking area security
  • Direct volunteers to their assignments

Post-Event checklist

  • Process payments and bank deposit
  • Clean up event area
  • Arrange delivery or pickup for larger items, and manage non-purchased items.
  • Send thank you notes to donors and volunteers
  • Send thank you text or call to all bidders for participating using Qtego
  • Review Qtego Auction reports on item and bidder activity for your next auction
  • Organize participant database for future communications
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