My secret reason for liking frames in a silent auction
I love acrylic frames for holding the descriptions of silent auction items. Unlike picture frames, they are frameless (I’m not a fan of a black frame around a description). They are also easy to store because they stack into each other. Finally, they can be used year-after-year. I admit that they can be somewhat pricey when you buy 200 of them at once, but it’s a one-time investment.
But shhhh….Here’s the real reason I like the frames.
The frames present the content vertically.
A vertical presentation of the description allows multiple guests to read the information at the same time. As guests file past tables, they can more easily read the descriptions (be sure to use large font!) and make a decision to bid. It speeds up the bidding process in your silent auction. And — HELLO!– at a silent auction, we are looking for speed.
I often see groups putting the item description on the auction bid sheet itself. I don’t encourage my clients to do this because it requires the guest to hover over the bid sheet to read the description. It blocks others from reading simultaneously.
Let me give you a real-life example.
Here in Washington, DC, one of my favorite monuments is the Jefferson Memorial. Jefferson himself stands in the middle, and several quotations or writings of his are carved into the walls. Because the inscriptions are on the wall (a vertical presentation), any visitor can stand anywhere in the Memorial and read the quotes. A lot of people can quickly visit the Memorial, read at their own pace, and never block each other from the view.
On the other hand, when I went to see the Declaration of Independence a few years ago, I had to stand in a long line of visitors to see that document.
Why?
Because it was horizontally presented. One-by-one, visitors would file past the display, looking down on our national treasure.
Now obviously, the Declaration is a fragile document. Perhaps it would not stand up well to a vertical presentation. (I’m not suggesting that the Smithsonian got it wrong.) But I do know the line was a lot longer.
My point is that a vertical display works great for your silent auction item descriptions because it allows multiple people to read the description simultaneously. Time is a factor at silent auctions, and this is one tip that makes it easy for bidders to shop.
(c) 2005 – 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
P.S. If this was useful, you’ll love our ezine! Click here for the free Benefit Auction Ideas ezine.
Leave a Comment