A silent auction is a wonderful fundraising concept and there are many unique online silent auction ideas you can try out to make the event stay ahead of classic auctions. Regardless what form of auction you want, ample preparation is essential to the success of the affair. Here are several of the common procedures that happen during silent auctions:
Create a master inventory listing of the auction goods
Track the things which you'll have in the auction. Develop a comprehensive list that accounts for every item to be included in the silent auction. You may include an item code and stick a corresponding duplicate of the code on the item. Write a description regarding the product, how much the beginning bid needs to be and the minimum increments. You can make a short duplicate of the master checklist containing only the information that probable bidders will find useful such as the item description and starting bid. You may publish this list around the room or spread individual duplicates to your visitors when the auction starts so they will be guided regarding the available things.
Arrange the location
Make agreements for the area where you will be hosting the silent auction. The physical set up should be reflective of what the theme of the auction is. For instance, if you will be auctioning artworks you should choose a fashionable and trendy location. Plan the structure of the spot. You may display the things in one area or distribute them around the room.
Prepare the bidding sheets
Silent auctions differ from other auctions because rather than requesting bids out loud, serious parties write down their bids on a sheet of paper. Due to this fact, you have to prepare bidding sheets for people to write on. Small, clean pieces of paper will do. Supply a space for creating the bidding sum and the name and call information of the prospective buyer. You can even create a small code on a corner of the paper assigning which item that sheet is designed for. Put several of these sheets next to every auctioned piece.
Specify the auction period
Be sure the specified bidding periods are reported to ensure that all attendees will know the moment they should begin bidding and when you will no longer be accepting bids. You can ring a bell to signify that the auction has ended or ring it three times to let them know that there are fifteen minutes left before the bidding process ends. In case you see any kind of items with active buyers, you can prolong the bidding for a few more minutes.
Make arrangements for delivering the items to the winning customers
Once the auction ends, you could prepare the required forms for moving the items to the successful customers. Phone the bidders and let them know that they have won. Make plans regarding the form of payment and the delivery or pick-up of the items. In case they are not able to pay for the item, you can forfeit them as the winner and call the 2nd highest bidder to claim the object.
As an after-sales gesture, be sure to send thank-you cards to all the guests who attended the event.