Gold Star Raffle
Reward your bidders whose silent auction bid is at market value or above. These special "Gold Star" bidders deserve a special treat.
For any bid that is placed at market value, or above, provide the bidder with a ticket in a special Gold Star raffle. Choose a special item from your donations that will appeal to a diverse group. Whether a dinner for two or a one-of-a-kind item, this special opportunity for those willing to bid at market value will be appreciated. Pearl Bids makes it easy to pull the names of these bidders and select your Gold Star Raffle winner.
Dessert Dash
Everyone loves to be first! Give each table at your event the chance to donate and win the opportunity to receive their dessert first.
To "play" this fun game: Each table at your event will receive an envelope or box where the people sitting at the table are invited insert cash (or check) bids. After all funds are collected (ie all bids are cast), collect the envelopes. The table whose envelope has the highest amount of cash wins the honor of being the first to "dash for their dessert."
This game can have many fun twists, with the 2nd and 3rd place winner gaining other honors at the events. Whatever the outcome, your nonprofit wins from the funds collected and the competition can be loads of fun.
Chef's Delight
Everyone loves a yummy new dish. Odds are at least one of your members or parents is an outstanding cook. Whether a professional chef or an extremely talented home cook, they can help you create an exciting silent auction experience. Offer a cooking class - where the participants get to learn how to create a mouthwatering dish and then experience tasting it as well.
As a fun activity that leaves the participants with the knowledge to further their adventure, cooking lessons are a real hit. Have your chef come up with tantalizing items that will make your silent auction attendees mouths' water and will be easy for them to present to their "auction class." They may even want to whip up a small sample to have in front of your bid sheets, so that your attendees will know what is in store from them if they bid on this prize "cooking class." Pearl Bids makes it easy to offer this item as a set price for a specified number of bidders, or as a classical auction item, where one bidder can win a cooking class for a specified number of attendees. Either way, you're sure to get a great response.
As an added benefit, see if a local grocery store will donate the ingredients. Often the chef is happy to supply all that is needed for their demonstration/class, but bringing in the extra donation can help your chef splurge and create a truly one of a kind experience.
Gift Giving Party
Looking for a unique and different way to collect donations? Why not ask some of your volunteers to host a "Gift Giving Party"?
Similar to a Tupperware party, your hostess will invite friends to attend brunch/coffee...
The "catch" is that instead of the attendees purchasing items (such as Tupperware), they are asked to each bring an item to donate to your events' silent auction. Your hostess could have a lot of fun coming up with a theme for donations. Whether the donations are large and items to be put together in a basket, it will be a different way to attract items and interest in your event. Some attendees may even choose to make a donation for the event instead of bringing a donation. No matter what they bring, your event will have the extra exposure, the attendees will hopefully have a fun time, and your silent auction will benefit.
Future Fire Fighter's Dream Come True
Kids love fire trucks and police cars! A special Future FireFighter auction item is sure to be popular.
Contact your local fire station, or you may even have a parent who is a fire fighter in your midst. Why not ask them if they can help you put together a special auction item for a future fire fighter? Whether it's a "private" visit to the firehouse, dinner at the firehouse with all the crew, or a ride on a fire engine, what grandparent (or parent) would not want to surprise their child with this one-of-a-kind treat?
Never Underestimate the Power of Word of Mouth
Social media has become one of the best advertising strategies on the planet. Harness this power by encouraging your volunteers to share all of you events blogs, tweets… on their personal accounts.
Not only will it show their support for your cause/event, but it will enable your supporters to stay informed and feel even more connected.
Read the Pearl Bids Silent Auction Manager Blog, No Cost Advertising, for more ideas on how to capitalize on social media.
An Extra Chance
Undoubtedly, some of your attendees will arrive intending to spend money at the auction but will leave the event empty-handed with their wallets full. Give them a chance to spend that money.
Have a table set up as they leave where they can sponsor a classroom or contribute to a special project. Make sure they receive a personalized thank you card for any contributions that are made or even a small token of thanks. That way, they will be sure and check the table the next year when they leave, even if they are not walking away empty handed!
Don't Forget the Wrap Up
Your event is finished and you are exhausted. Time to pack everything away, right? NO, this could be a huge missed opportunity.
Take the extra time to have a meeting with those involved. Find out what went well and what caused problems. Don’t forget to seek input from all the volunteers. From the ticket-takers at the door to the volunteer coordinators, each person’s viewpoint will help give you a compete picture of the event’s strengths and weaknesses.
What were the biggest sellers at the silent auction? Those will be “must get” items for next year. What silent auction items did not get any bids? You may want to recommend that these not be included on the “recruitment” list for next year. You can even leave notes directly in Pearl Bids silent auction manager -so that when you look at items, donors and guests for next year, its all there!
Be open minded and remember not to take comments personally. Constructive criticism can be your best tool to strengthen your event. End your event with a list of suggestions for the future, recommendations of things to change. Whether you will be taking the lead again next year, or passing on the hat, getting a head start by being organized and being able to pull up notes and contacts from the past will let next year’s event and silent auction start off with a leg up.
Mobile Car Wash
Tweek your auction items to make the everyday seem extraordinary. For example, have a group of students contribute a car wash and wax; enhance the item by ...
... offering to have your team make a house call. All your bidder needs to do is set the date and the team will show up and get the job done! By taking a simple donation, like a car-wash, and customizing it, you have increased its value and appeal exponentially.
"A Little Extra"
When printing up your flyers and invites to your event, do you ever question if you are charging enough? If you increased the price, would your attendance go down?
1. Have a base price for your event, but offer "boxes" at the bottom where your attendees can make added donations. Suggest several amounts, leaving the bottom line as a fill in the blank. Don't necessarily list the amounts from smallest to greatest (or vice-versa). Put your target request first and list other amounts under that. You'll be surprised how amny people add this extra gift. Stats show that on average, 40% of attendees will donate "a little extra."
2. Another popular idea is to offer tiered ticket levels. If your event includes seating, charge a slightly higher price per table for 8 than you would per individual. If your attendees have a group they enjoy sitting with, they will choose this option. For an extra donation, include a bottle or two of wine on the table. Or, if your event is a buffet, have volunteers serve VIP tables for a small extra charge. Your event is a celebration; let your guests spoil themselves if they wish!