Auction item displays benefit from photo books like this

Here’s a quick tip on how to improve your auction item displays when you’re offering a trip in either the silent or live auction.

Use a photo book in your display. 

“Photo book” is the name I give to books (and I use the term “books” loosely) which feature photos of the inside of the property, outside of the property, and activities to do in the area.

Think of it as a handmade version of a traditional coffee table picture book.

Sometimes these books are a few pieces of paper stapled together. Other times the pages are secured in a 3-ring binder or formal spiral binding.

(See the photo for an example of the latter.)

Any of these options are fine; it doesn’t need to be fancy.

A photo book does not eliminate the need for a well-written description, but supplements that description by telling a visual story.

Guests can flip through the book, pausing on photos that appeal to them.  It quickly educates your guests

Photos I like to see in a photo book include:

• Front of property
• Back of property
• Kitchen / living area
• Bedrooms (guests can see if that second guest room has a queen bed or 2 twin bunks)
• Bathrooms
• Home “extras” such as a swimming pool, hot tub, tennis court, dock, porch, deck, etc.
• Views of the sunset / sunrise / ocean / mountains from the property, if the views are highlighted as a perk of the home
• Activities in the area (sightseeing, beaches, mountains, fishing, skiing, kayaking, farmers markets, the main street of the cute town nearby, etc.)
• A country map with the location of the home identified

Some committees will glue these types of photos onto a large piece of foam-core and display it on a large easel.  That works, too.

But if you lack the space for that type of larger display, a photo book is your next best option.

To see a photo book from an auction I worked a couple of weeks ago, watch the video below.

Got other ideas?

Leave a comment below.