Online Charity Auctions

Online charity auctions are here to stay… If you are considering using one, here are some things to think about:

Is an online solution right for our organization?  Consider…

• The number of current fund raising activities you are using;
• Popularity of current auction oriented fund raisers with your supporters;
• Size of supporter email list;
• Number of supporters outside of your geographic area:
• Comfort working with technology;
• Capacity to photograph and upload auction item information and willingness to facilitate shipping to winning bidders;
• Ability to procure captivating auction items.

Which online solution should I select?  Consider…

• Internal vs. External management of…
• Item postings
• Payment and fulfillment (i.e. shipping)
• Promotion (email and other sale notification)
• Private auction only accessible to supporters vs. public auction available to anyone;
• Ability to promote items at a live event along side items available for online bidding;
• Ability to brand your auction specific to your organization.

Success Tips…

• Never start the bidding on items online, only to bring the bidding to be finished at a live event (for silent or live auction items);  There are many pitfalls to this approach, including:  (1) Upsetting onsite bidders when items are already ‘maxed out’ before the person taking the time to attend had a chance to bid; (2) The anticlimactic offering of a live auction item that has already been bid up beyond where the audience would have started the bidding; (3) An easy out for an prospective attendee who decides they don’t need to attend as they can submit bids from home.
• Rather, post a selection of auction items online that will close the day before the live event or conduct an online auction 6 months after your live auction as a separate, stand-a-lone fund raiser.
• If preceding a live event, post items for a couple of weeks and also post items that will be available at the live event only.  The site then becomes a promotional tool, not just a bidding site.
• By using the online auction, you can reduce your onsite silent auction a bit, making the onsite bidding more competitive, less overwhelming and easier to manage;
• Make items available for public viewing, but use a site that is branded specific to your organization.  This will allow you to create an online auction presence that can be built upon over years and allow for significant growth of online revenue sources.
• Clarify in each listing whether the item may be bid on by the public or limited to organization supporters only and whether the item must be picked up or can be shipped (if offering shipping, clarify the shipping cost in the item’s description).
• Start building your supporter email list.  The quickest way to get exposure to your online bidding site will be links from supporter directed emails.