Hosting an online auction is a great way to reach a wide audience and raise money for charity.
Here are the steps to successfully complete this process:
1. Define the objectives and framework of the sale.
Fundraising Goals: Set a target amount to reach and the cause for which the funds will be used (e.g., raising funds for the charity in support of...etc...).
Products: Select items to auction or services (derivatives, rare items, etc.)
Schedule: Determine the opening and closing dates for the online auction. Allow sufficient time (e.g., one to two weeks)
to allow participants to discover the lots and place their bids.
2. Choose an online auction platform
Specialized platforms: Use dedicated auction platforms like eBay, Drouot Digital, or fundraising tools like GiveXpert.
Social Media: For more informal auctions, you can also host a sale on a Facebook group dedicated to your community.
3. Gather items and services to auction
Ask for donations: Contact businesses, artisans, artists, and individuals to obtain items or services to sell.
Offer unique experiences: Meetings with personalities and private lessons can be very attractive to bidders.
Focus on visuals: Take quality photos of each item and write a detailed description (dimensions, estimated value, condition, etc.).
4. Prepare the event page
Create product sheets: For each item or service, create a descriptive sheet with a photo, a detailed description, the starting price, and the auction rules.
Auction Rules: Clearly explain the rules (auction duration, payment terms, etc.).
Payment methods: Provide several payment methods (credit card, PayPal, bank transfer, etc.)
5. Promote online auction
Social Media: Create a Facebook event, share posts on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc., and encourage people to share.
Send emails to your contact list to inform them about the event.
Create scarcity: Highlight unique items and limited editions to entice bidders not to pass up the opportunity.
Media Partnerships: Ask local media or specialty blogs to cover your auction.
6. Launch the auction and monitor its progress
Real-time auction management: On some platforms, you can monitor auctions in real-time and even encourage engagement by adding messages or sharing popular lots.
Participant reminders: If bidding on certain items is low, send reminders or highlight these items in your communications.
7. Close the sale and contact the winners
Announcing Results: At the end of the auction period, contact the winners of each lot to announce their victory and inform them of the next steps for payment.
Payment and Shipping: Make sure payments are made before sending items. Offer shipping options (with fees)
additional if necessary) or collection points.
8. Thank participants and communicate results
Thank You: Send thank you emails to bidders and item donors, whether they won or not.
Share the results: Communicate about the funds raised and how they will be used for the cause you are defending. This contributes to transparency and donor loyalty.
9. Analyze and learn lessons for a future sale
Event Review: Analyze the positive points and the aspects to improve to better prepare for a future auction.
Participant Feedback: Collect feedback from bidders and donors to adjust your strategy.
With proper planning and active promotion, you can host a successful online auction and raise significant funds for your charitable cause.
Read an article about the auction:
Blog written by Caleb. A