Don't leave cash on the table by missing the mark with your fundraiser's silent auction.
If your fundraising event is going to include a silent auction then you already know that it is an effective way to raise money for a cause or organization. What you may not know is that there is a reason why some silent auctions are more successful than others. It all starts with good ideas. You can throw together any collection of items and put them up for bid at your event, but if you carefully select the items and put other improvements in place to support the auction then you will likely see a higher return at the end of the day.
Auction Experiences
People like to buy "stuff," but they love to buy experiences. It's fine, and necessary, to include some tangible items in your auction. But if you can put together experiences for your guests you may find them in a much more fierce bidding war. Try getting donations from individuals or businesses that offer things that aren't otherwise for sale. According to the Fundraising Authority website, experiences like a ride in the local news chopper during a traffic report, backstage passes to an event or the chance to "play" with local pro athletes will get a lot of attention from your bidders.
Auction Services
Make sure you make some great services available at your auction. These auction items will be very popular with some of your guests. Services can be related to experiences, such as having a notable local chef come to the bidder's house to prepare dinner for a party. You might even offer services that make the winner's life easier. Maybe the Board of Directors for your organization will come to your house and perform spring cleaning, or perhaps the staff will show up in the driveway of the highest bidder to detail his car inside and out.
Placement of Items
The best way to maximize bids at your silent auction is to make the bidders anxious to get the items. One of the ways you can accomplish this is by placing the items on attractive displays in a high traffic place where your guests will see them. As guests wait in line to buy tickets to get into the event, you should have your items on display near the door so they can see what is available as they wait to get in. Once the majority of the people are inside, move the items to areas where they will continue to get browsed inside. Next to a cash bar or in the center of the room under good lighting are great ideas. Make sure the items with the highest bid potential are in the best spots.
Donations at the Door
Sometimes a person comes to an auction with the desire to win certain items, but they don't always get them. If they are outbid then they may be leaving with the money they had planned on spending still in their pockets. This is not a good situation for your fundraiser. Increase the income of your event by taking donations or offering organizational sponsorships near the exit doors. If they have an extra hundred bucks they'd planned on dropping at the auction, they could be easily persuaded to donate it before they leave.
