Thank you to BiddingForGood for the following article.
Uniting Your Live Event with Online Auctions and Mobile Bidding
Those on the cutting edge of fundraising technology are complementing their gala events with online auctions. Now, there’s something new being added to the mix – mobile bidding. By integrating a live fundraising event with an online auction, you can expand your bidder community and increase participation, since supporters unable to attend can still get in on the action. By adding mobile bidding, you can bring all the advantages of online auctions to your live event to increase bids and raise more money.
Harrison Ford "Experience" - Lunch and a Flight with Actor/Pilot Harrison Ford - Sold for $55,000. As a unique experience, this is the type of item that works well for both online and live event.
An online auction and live event combined with mobile bidding is a complete, end-to-end fundraising solution. Here are some tips on how to make the integration as seamless as possible, from pre-online auction to post-event.
Promoting Your Online Auctions and Live Events
The key to maximizing online auctions is the use of the built-in marketing capabilities they have. A robust online auction platform such as BiddingForGood, will enable you to promote your event well in advance on your auction website, to solicit and feature donated items and sponsorships, and to send email campaigns to your community.
- It is a good idea to promote your online auction first; your live event, second – This ensures that the greatest number of people from among your online bidders and event attendees can view and bid on your auction items, thereby elevating the starting bids at your live event.
- Make some of your items online-only and live-only - This best practice is effective in generating “auction fever,” driving up competition among online and live audiences, and obtaining the highest bids.
- Email – Email campaigns can be used to drive bidders into your auction, and to request item donations and sponsorships from your community.
- Use your website – Promote your event on your home page and other site pages. You can add “Auction Updates” buttons to your website, and enable your community to opt into receiving auction updates email updates.
Selecting Items for Your Online and Live Auction Item Catalog
Be aware of what sells better online versus what sells better live.
Historically, auction experts have found that particular types of items sell well in online auctions. Items that are ideal for online auctions are items that can be easily shipped such gift certificates that can be redeemed at multiple locations. At traditional live auctions, art and expensive jewelry tend to do well.
TOP TEN online auction items include:
1. Restaurant gift certificates
2. Designer luxury accessories
3. Retail gift cards
4. Sports tickets
5. Travel
6. Unique experiences, adventures (balloon rides, skydiving, etc.)
7. Gift baskets
8. Entertainment
9. Electronics
10. Spa and beauty
Adding In-Room Mobile Bidding
BiddingForGood
A mobile platform can create a level playing field where all attendees can bid using their own mobile phones or smartphones. Mobile phone ownership is now so widespread that it’s likely that all attendees will be able to participate. This means that mobile phones can replace the clipboard as the bidding device! Should there be any guests without a mobile phone, there are also in-room bidding devices available.
Reasons to Include Mobile Bidding
- Enable your supporters to bid from their mobile phones, from the time your online auction launches through the duration of your live event
- Raise 10%-30% more money
- Add new excitement to your fundraiser event
- Provide a one-stop solution that will make your entire event run smoothly, from registration to closeout
- Expand your pool of bidders to include family and friends not at the event
- Eliminate the clipboard with all its inherent limitations – crowding around tables, awkward social moments as bidding ends, and more
Post-Auction Considerations
If your organization finds itself with a number of items which haven’t sold after a live event, consider a post-event auction. Post-event auctions
can reconnect you with your online supporters and event attendees, and it’s also a great way for you to unload unsold items and reap maximum revenue.
