amplifying your auction: how online and mobile bidding can transform your silent auction
DESCRIPTION
The silent auction, whether it's for a school or a nonprofit, has expanded outside of just the auction room and can now reach all different audiences before, during, and after the live event.TRANSCRIPT
1
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
2
Auctions tap a different pool of $$
• Supporters have a budget that they tap to give charitable donations
• Auctions tap household discretionary spending: - Sports tickets - Theater tickets - Restaurant certificates - Travel: all come out of a household budget…
3
The Charitable Commerce Eco-system
Nonprofits
Charitable Shoppers/Supporters
Generous businesses/Individuals
4
The Anytime, Anywhere Auction
A fundraising auction that allows bidders to bid on any device from anywhere.
5
• Online• At school events• At galas • At golf tournaments• In stadiums
It’s all about…
6
Let’s start with the gala…
7
• The larger bidding community
• Gala attendees• Your community
• Their networks
400+ 2000_____2,400
X 25______60,000
+ 360,000_______420,000
Traditional silent auction = crowds
8
9
Traditional silent auction = party distractions
Traditional silent auction = awkward endings
10
New mobile auction begins with an invitation
11
The Boston Society of Fabulous People requests the pleasure of your company at our
Fab Gala Celebration
Feb 28, 2013The Boston Park Plaza Hotel
50 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116
Cocktails at 6:00 PMDinner at 7:30 PM
Live Music and Dancing Attire: Creative Black Tie
Buy your tickets and register to bid in our auctionat www.biddingforgood.com/FabGala
And a visit to the auction homepage
12
Guests buy tickets and browse the auction
13
14
They come for the party
They arrive ready to bid. No need to fight the crowd or worry about getting outbid.
The night of the event
A leaderboard keeps them engaged
15
• Promote sponsors and highlight featured items• Show auction progress and thank auction donors volunteers
Encourage more bidding
16
5 MINS LEFT TO BID!
PLACE
MAX BID
YOU HAVE
BEEN
OUT BID
Outbid Alerts Max Bids Bid Extension
Another amplification idea
17
• The larger bidder community
• Gala attendees• Your community
• Their networks
From the ballroom to the hotel guests to the broader community = more $$ raised
Checkout is a breeze… they go home happy
18
Best practices for online auctionsand mobile bidding events
19
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
20
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
21
It’s All About the Items
22
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 –
23
Different Auction Formats –
24
Different Auction Formats –
25
Tip #1: Pre-promotion, prepare your guests
26
• 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
27
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
28
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
29
Private School Gala in Boston
Tip # 3 Venue selection is key
30
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!
31
Tip #5 One bid learning curve
…and bidder buddies
32
Tip # 6Open the doors to your auction
• Larry King Cardiac Foundation
33
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
34
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
35
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….
36
Don’t:
Make it easy to bid…
37
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
38