Fundraising can seem like an all or nothing effort. You either put all your work towards creating a memorable experience in a live setting or you try to modernize everything as efficiently as possible with remote hosting and digital platforms. But you can have the best of both worlds for your event, and it’s not that hard. For any great event that hosts a Silent Auction, you can host one Online in the week leading up to the main event.
Here are the advantages of combining these two ideas to make them a more functional, practical whole:
1. Cost Effective
Running a Silent Auction online is easy and cost effective. You just need an online auction platform provider to take in bidder information and process it accordingly. It can either a one-time up-front cost that is fully automated from the time it’s set up to the time the event is over or a free add on service as part or the event fundraising service.
2. Giving your bidders plenty of options
Giving your bidders more options is always a good idea. Technology continues to improve and replace traditional methods we used to rely on. While some high profile bidders may prefer a sealed bidding brochure approach, many younger guests may be happier using an technology based solution.
3. A longer auction = more bids
An Online Silent Auction can run much longer than the live event itself. You can set it up as a prelude to the event in conjunction with marketing of the live event to drum up interest and get early bidders in to gauge the future interest in the live event well before the event takes place. A longer bidding time also means more bidders, which in an auction, may result in higher final prices.
4. More exposure to the variety of auction items
Traditionally Silent Auctions offer the item list at the time the guests arrive, so people only know what they can bid on, on the evening. This promotes a sense of mystery and impulse buying, which can be very successful. But sometimes when it comes to more considered purchases, people want to just know what they can bid on in advanced. Offering the catalogue up early with the opportunity to bid gives them a functional preview of what to expect at the Live Event.
5. It allows guests who can’t attend the live auction to participate
Remote viewing and participation has become a standard due to current times. While it was always something that could be done, we’ve recently learned how important it is for some to participate when physical attendance isn’t possible. Having a Silent Auction Online lets guests who are restricted from traveling or unwell still participate and contribute in a positive way without leaving their homes. And if they win, their faith in the cause is rewarded. Just be sure to set up some shipping solutions for them after the fact.
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