From Strategic Marketing to Auction Storytelling: Meet Charissa Bires
Meet Charissa Bires, the Director of Marketing at Grafe Auction. With a background in strategic marketing and an MBA, Charissa brings a unique blend of analytical and creative skills to our team. Her role at Grafe Auction is not just a job, it's a passion for storytelling and digital innovation. Charissa thrives on showcasing our auctions through captivating content and data-driven strategies, engaging our audience with each unique and compelling auction item. Outside of work, Charissa's life is rich with personal interests and family time. Her dedication to balancing professional and personal life adds depth to her work, bringing fresh perspectives and innovation to her strategies at Grafe Auction.
What makes you most excited about working at Grafe Auction?
What excites me most about working at Grafe Auction is the combination of a passionate team and the fascinating discoveries we encounter in our auctions. It's invigorating to work alongside individuals who are not just passionate about what they do but are also deeply invested in the growth and success of our business. This environment has provided me with tremendous opportunities to expand my knowledge about the auction industry and further develop my marketing skills.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
As Director of Marketing, I leverage my passion for digital content and storytelling to showcase our upcoming auctions in creative ways. With a data-driven approach, I analyze auction trends and customer insights to inform social media and website content that spotlights the most unique and compelling auction items. I find it extremely fulfilling to develop innovative marketing campaigns that get customers excited about participating in our auctions.
Is there a Grafe Auction initiative you’ve been involved with that you’re especially proud of?
I started our blog on the website a little over eight months ago now. Not only do I hope that it gives followers insight into the auction industry, but also insight into how special Grafe Auction is. As someone who started at Grafe Auction not having grown up in the auction industry, I’ve learned how extraordinary it is. People who work in auctions that I have met, especially those who work at Grafe Auction, are some of the most caring, smart, and dedicated people that I’ve worked with, and I hope it shows in the blog. Launching the blog has not only been a platform for sharing insights but has also significantly enhanced our brand's visibility and customer engagement. This project was a blend of market research, content strategy, and consumer psychology. It's rewarding to see the tangible results of this initiative in terms of increased website traffic and auction participation.
How does a typical day play out for you at Grafe Auction? What are you responsible for?
On any given day at Grafe Auction, my role as the Director of Marketing is a dynamic and engaging one. My day often starts with a dive into our various marketing campaigns, where I oversee their progression across multiple platforms. This involves managing our vibrant social media presence, where I'm responsible for creating and posting engaging videos and written content. We're active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube – and it's my job to ensure our brand's voice is consistent and engaging across these channels.
Content creation is at the heart of what I do. Whether I'm crafting an intriguing blog post, putting together our bi-weekly newsletter with John and Ben, or producing a compelling video, my goal is always to captivate our audience and pique their interest in our upcoming auctions. I take pride in the creativity and strategic thought that goes into every piece of content, knowing it's a crucial touchpoint with our clients and followers.
Collaboration is key in my role. I work closely with our leadership team on branding initiatives, ensuring that every marketing effort aligns with Grafe Auction's vision and values. This collaboration extends to designing marketing materials, such as flyers and presentations, and contributing to proposals for potential auctions. These tasks allow me to balance creativity with strategic business insights.
And, whenever possible, I like to get out from behind the desk and attend auction sites. There's nothing quite like being at the auction site to see the items before they’re online. It gives me invaluable insights into what I think captures the interest of our clients. I use these opportunities to shoot videos and take photos, capturing the essence of Grafe Auction's unique offerings. These firsthand experiences are not just exciting; they fuel my creativity and inform our marketing strategies, ensuring we stay connected to what truly excites our bidders.
So, while my days at Grafe Auction are varied, they are always filled with opportunities to grow, create, and connect – both with our team and our audience.
What’s a fun/interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?
Something that often surprises people is that I played rugby in college. Participating in the sport was not only personally fulfilling but also created a lifelong network of friends that I still spend time with today. In fact, we have a book club where we get together to catch up each month.
How do you spend your free time?
I have two little girls, two dogs, and a cat, so most of my time is spent chasing them around. I like taking the girls to parks and museums, and for walks in their wagon. Aside from spending time with family and friends, I enjoy traveling. Last year I went to Iceland for the second time and got to explore different parts of the country. I even went to five geothermal baths, which was a highlight of the trip. The geography over there is also beautiful and I can never get enough of the waterfalls. Balancing my personal and professional life is key. The organizational and time management skills I've honed through my education and at Grafe Auction come in handy when juggling work with family time. My travels and outdoor adventures also offer fresh perspectives and inspiration that I bring back to my work, helping to keep my ideas and strategies innovative and relevant.
What is the most unique or interesting item you’ve witnessed at auction?
I have worked for Grafe Auction for just over a year now, so I’m sure this will continue to change with all of the auctions I will see. However, right now what always piques my interest tends to be espresso machines or large stand mixers. While these items aren’t unique to our auctions, my sister owns a home-based bakery so I’m always on the lookout for something that will make her life easier. I have yet to bid on one yet because they tend to be very popular! I keep looking though. Aside from bakery items, we have a collectible toy auction coming up and there is a Hamm’s toy truck in it. I’m considering bidding on it because it’s nostalgic to the rugby team I played with in college. Observing items like espresso machines and others gives me unique insights into consumer trends and market demands. These observations often feed into my content strategy, allowing me to create more targeted and effective marketing campaigns.
Charissa is a testament to the blend of professionalism and personal engagement we value at Grafe Auction. Her strategic marketing expertise and creative storytelling are key in shaping our brand's voice. Whether she's leading our marketing campaigns or exploring new adventures with her family, Charissa embodies the dynamic spirit and innovation that propels Grafe Auction forward. We're proud to have her on our team and excited for the future she helps us shape.
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