I love silent auctions!!! As the auctioneer for fundraising auctions, I view the silent auction as an opportunity to raise the level of competitive bidding and fun for auction attendees. The silent auction can set the tone for the entire event, so why not make it as dynamic as the live auction. Lately many of my clients have found sucess in containing the food, drinks and silent auction in one area with a short time line for bidding. This allows the focus to be on bidding and bringing awareness to the donors and the cause. They make efforts in trying not to separate the silent auction from other activities.
Silent Auction
- During Silent Auction, have bar stations & appetizer stations strategically placed to move
bidders past silent auction items (however, don’t make them so close that they block items). - Position silent auction tables in center of space rather than on perimeter when possible. This will allow folks to see others biding rather than look at a wall.
- If you have food stations place them around perimeter so bidders can eat and bid without having to move room to room
- Close Silent Auction before the live auction starts
- Stagger the closing of tables to increase bidding
- Have Auctioneer highlight items & announce table closings
- Keep bidders appraised of bidding on key items with announcements or on‐screen updates
- Make sure attendees know when tables are closing (countdown to closings)
- Carefully arrange tables for easy access and good traffic flow
- Shorten the amount of time bidders have to bid
- A mystery item or two to add some unexpected fun
- “Gold Section: Super Silent Auction” for a few higher dollar items that did
not make the cut for the live auction - Sealed Bid Auction on a few items (where bidders don’t know what others
are bidding—they place bids in a sealed gift box) - Have “Buy Me Now” or “Guaranteed Bid” Prices on some of the items to allow a
bidder to immediately win an item if they really want it. The price can be set at
market value or above. (Warning: This may lead to a rush to the tables at the
beginning of the evening!) - Ask your Benefit Auctioneer conduct a few “Mini Live Auctions” on sought after
Silent Auction items—generates some unexpected excitement during the Silent Auction.
Advertisement
