Top Reasons to Join BLACKTIE

• Online RSVP's.
  Sell tickets to your fundraising events online and take credit card payments or e-checks. Add information about people who send you checks. Have 1 central database of all attendees, regardless of how they paid. Automatically creates excel spreadsheet, nametags and check in list. Best of all, Blacktie does not take any fees for what you sell.
• Extend Your Message.
  Will our event be covered in the local paper? If you join Blacktie, we will send a photographer/reporter to your event. We'll take at least 30 color, digital pictures and post it on our website, usually with 48-72 hours. This is a great way to recognize your sponsors, donors and volunteers. PLUS, it puts your message in front on a whole new audience.
• Having a Silent Auction?
  Enter your items in Blacktie. Blacktie will automatically create an Excel "master list", create bid sheets, bid numbers, closing times, incremental bid ranges; allows you take online bids and pre-promote your auction. Make the starting bid the night of your event, the highest online bid you received to maximize revenue - OR just do an online auction!
• Do you need to seat people?
  Are you tired of using Post-It notes and constantly erasing to finalize your seating chart? Blacktie's seating chart is database driven. Want to move somebody? Just click on the scissor icon and move them to the holding bay. Assign table numbers, create master lists by last name, table number or company name; assign bid numbers, print nametags.
• Print Nametags.
  Whether your event is stand up or sit down, Blacktie allows you to print to pre-formatted Avery labels (5390, 5392, 5395 and 8164). Do you want a different label, just let us know and we'll make it ready for you. The nametag automatically pulls the appropriate information, allows you to quickly and easily upload your logo, and gives you the option of printing bid number and table number.

• Make Communicating Easier. You need to communicate with various constituencies, both internal and external. Our email blast allows you to send one message, simultaneously to multiple recipients. Use our E-Newsletter creation tools to create a colorful invite (complete with links to purchase or donate) or newsletter.
• Online Store. Does your organization sell items as fundraisers? Teddy bears, cookbooks, candles, etc? The ability to sell these items online is part of your Blacktie merchant.
• Private Communication Areas. Do you have a volunteer committee, a marketing committee? Would you like to setup a communication area for them to post agendas, minutes, forms, job descriptions, etc? Well know you can. Instead of going to a web design company, Blacktie gives you the ability to create as many categories as you need and to assign your own username and password for this area.
• Online Donations. If your website isn't e-commerce enables, simply put a "hyperlink" from your site to your profile on the Blacktie website. People can use credit cards or electronic checks to give you money.
• Trading Post. Put your unsold auction items, or donated items that you can't use in the trading post. Other Blacktie members across the United States can see what you have and buy or trade for it.
• Internal Task Calendar. Enter in a task (don't forget to create agenda, take program to printer, don't forget the June Birthdays), enter the emails of those who need to be reminded, and enter the days in advance you want a reminder notice sent - Blacktie does the rest.
• Upload Your Press Release. Extend your message and have your press release read by people visiting the Blacktie site.
• Make the Difference Network. Blacktie members receive free membership in www.mtdn.net . This is a nationwide website that allows you to post your specific funding wish.