amplifying your auction: how online and mobile bidding can transform your silent auction

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New cover slide with amplification image and title…

AMPLIFYYOUR AUCTION

How online and mobile bidding transform the silent auction

Where do auctions fit in the fundraising landscape?

• Peer to Peer fundraising• Direct appeals• Capital Campaigns• Events• Social Media has changed

the rules for all of these tactics

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Auctions tap a different pool of $$

• Supporters have a budget that they tap to give charitable donations

• Auctions tap household discretionary spending: - Sports tickets - Theater tickets - Restaurant certificates - Travel: all come out of a household budget…

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The Charitable Commerce Eco-system

Nonprofits

Charitable Shoppers/Supporters

Generous businesses/Individuals

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The Anytime, Anywhere Auction

A fundraising auction that allows bidders to bid on any device from anywhere.

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• Online• At school events• At galas • At golf tournaments• In stadiums

It’s all about…

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Let’s start with the gala…

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• The larger bidding community

• Gala attendees• Your community

• Their networks

400+ 2000_____2,400

X 25______60,000

+ 360,000_______420,000

Traditional silent auction = crowds

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Traditional silent auction = party distractions

Traditional silent auction = awkward endings

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New mobile auction begins with an invitation

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The Boston Society of Fabulous People requests the pleasure of your company at our

Fab Gala Celebration

Feb 28, 2013The Boston Park Plaza Hotel

50 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116

Cocktails at 6:00 PMDinner at 7:30 PM

Live Music and Dancing Attire: Creative Black Tie

Buy your tickets and register to bid in our auctionat www.biddingforgood.com/FabGala

And a visit to the auction homepage

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Guests buy tickets and browse the auction

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They come for the party

They arrive ready to bid. No need to fight the crowd or worry about getting outbid.

The night of the event

A leaderboard keeps them engaged

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• Promote sponsors and highlight featured items• Show auction progress and thank auction donors volunteers

Encourage more bidding

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5 MINS LEFT TO BID!

PLACE

MAX BID

YOU HAVE

BEEN

OUT BID

Outbid Alerts Max Bids Bid Extension

Another amplification idea

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• The larger bidder community

• Gala attendees• Your community

• Their networks

From the ballroom to the hotel guests to the broader community = more $$ raised

Checkout is a breeze… they go home happy

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Best practices for online auctionsand mobile bidding events

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ONLINE

MO

BIL

E

Let’s start with some inspiration…“Organize, don't agonize.” ― Nancy Pelosi

“By failing to prepare,

you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin

“He who is best prepared can best serve his moment of inspiration.” ― Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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Organizing your volunteers is a lot like managing a family

• Checklists

• Collaboration tools• Volunteer log in

• Reporting

• Item Donation Status

• Tickets sold

• $$ raised to date

• Cash Donations

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It’s All About the Items

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Harrison Ford Experience(lunch + plane ride)$70,000Navy Seals Motorcycle

$25,000

Classic Lunch Box Collection $10,000

Antique Tea Set $20,000

2011 Smart Car + $500 in gas$12,000

William Wegman Photo Session$10,000

Different Auction Formats –

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Different Auction Formats –

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Different Auction Formats –

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Tip #1: Pre-promotion, prepare your guests

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• Send multiple emails• To solicit donations• To sell tickets• To announce auction • To countdown to auction close.• Recommended best practice: 5

emails

Westchester Arts

Using Facebook before, during and after your fundraiser

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Post updates on event details including entertainment, speakers, special guests

• Provide date, time and location

• Link to registration or ticket page.

Post updates on featured items with images.

Using Twitter before, during and after your fundraiser

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Use Twitter to create a place for conversations about the event.

Tip #2 Connectivity matters

• Plan for peak times• Negotiate terms upfront• Have IT person’s

contact info for trouble-shooting

• Have a plan B

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Private School Gala in Boston

Tip # 3 Venue selection is key

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Academy of Friends in SF

Statesville Family YMCA

Tip #4 Pre-Registration

Cut registration time by 1/3rd or moreat your event when attendees pre-register

Eliminates lines

at the event.

Sell tickets on your

Auction homepage!

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Tip #5 One bid learning curve

…and bidder buddies

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Tip # 6Open the doors to your auction

• Larry King Cardiac Foundation

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Raised 25% of their revenue from outside their community by putting auction online

Tip #7 Broadcast Your auction

GLOBE SANTA

• Actors revved up bidding

• Amplification: bat boy or girl at Fenway Park

• $1,000 with closed auction

• $2,500 with open auction

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Tip #8Price your items carefully

There is an art to pricing your auction items:

• Set your opening bids • Recommendation - set at

1/3 value of the item• You know your community

best and what prices will fly

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Tip # 9Make it easy to bid

• Have music blasting all night long• Have a casino competing with your auction• Isolate the bidding area from the party• Serve too much alcohol before the bidding

begins….

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Don’t:

Make it easy to bid…

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Do:• Make sure you can make auction announcements • Encourage volunteers to help bidders • Sell tickets online so people arrive ready to bid• Put bidding station near the items • Use a leaderboard to keep

bidders engaged

Thanks!

Happy Fundraising

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