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You are here: Home / Online Auction / Is an online auction right for you? Four steps to knowing.
Oct 11

Is an online auction right for you? Four steps to knowing.

Sherry Truhlar 9 Comments

UPDATE: The telecourse mentioned has passed, but the content below is still valid.

To keep abreast of future calls, subscribe to Benefit Auction Ideas.

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This Thursday I’ll be hosting the second call of my free 6-week benefit auction technology teleseries. Each week I’m covering a new tool that will help you improve your gala.

This week, we’ll learn about online auction software.

I’ll be interviewing a representative from a company that only sells software that to run online auctions.  Before I hear his expertise, I wanted to share my thoughts on this subject.

So as a preview to the call, this post addresses a common question.

“How do we know if we’re ready to add an online auction to our existing event?”

1. You struggle with excessive procurement.

Some of you will read this and think, “Is that possible? We struggle to get XX number of items.”

But some groups – schools more so than nonprofits — do have a problem with procuring too many things.  When the call goes out for donations, the incoming gifts become an embarrassment of riches: ten $25 gift cards from the same pizza place … duplicated donations from the same photography studio … multiples of football tickets to the same game.

With too many items, you have the same problems vexing physicists: space and time.

First, you’ll lack enough display space to properly showcase each item.

Second, guests won’t have enough time to browse through 350 items.

When this happens, returns begin to diminish. That’s when an online auction is handy.  You can sell some of your duplicates online.

2. You lack onsite help.

Both onsite and online auctions take work.  But onsite auctions require more planning and volunteers than online auctions.

An onsite auction requires a venue, food, bid sheets, decorations, sound system, charity auctioneer, centerpieces, check-in and check-out processing onsite, volunteers, security, and so forth.

An online auction- like an onsite auction – requires auction items and volunteers to procure them, but you don’t need the rest of it.

Additionally, the running of the auction itself will likely be handled by one person.

It’s much easier.

(“Then why,” you might think,”would anyone ever do an onsite auction?” There are other benefits gained from an in-person fundraising auction that simply can’t be replicated in an online auction. I’ll cover that in a future blog post.)

In sum, if you have limited access to volunteers, an online auction could be your best decision.

3. Your procurement keeps on coming throughout the year.

Some groups have access to supporters who give them items throughout the year. It might be basketball tickets for a specific game or prolific artists who donate their work often.  It might be access to community events that would be appealing to a larger population.

Assume a Board member — a season ticket holder to the Redskins — can’t attend the Redskins/Dallas game and graciously donates the tickets to your charity.  You can quickly turn that donation into cash by selling the tickets in an online auction, regardless of whether you had an in-person gala scheduled.

If you tend to see this within your own organization, consider online auction software. You’ll be able to have an auction whenever you need to.

4. Your cause is bigger than your community.

Assume you work for a big cat rescue facility based in Missouri. Turns out that in your research, you learn that the most likely donors of your nonprofit live on the West Coast.

In that case, maybe an onsite gala isn’t yet in the cards for your non-profit. But you can still begin to reach out to those who identify with your mission, regardless of whether they live in California or Croatia.

Hosting an online auction allows you to reach those outside of your community. They can support your charity without stepping through your doors.

Want to learn more about online auctions?

Register for the FREE auction technology teleseries and I’ll “see” you on Thursday.

(Note: From time to time, I hold teleclasses.  They are announced in my (free) electronic magazine.  Subscribe to Benefit Auction Ideas to get notified of other calls.)

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Copyright © 2010 Red Apple Auctions Co. All Rights Reserved

About Sherry Truhlar

Fundraising auctioneer and educator, helping schools and nonprofits plan more profitable benefit auctions. A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, she’s been covered in The Beacon-News, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Wiley's Special Events Galore!, AUCTIONEER, and other publications.

Reader Interactions

PODCAST: How to improve your benefit auction checkout line
PODCAST: How to know you’re ready to launch an online auction

Comments

  1. Leigh Ann Portale says

    October 20, 2010 at 10:08 AM

    So appreciate the tips, Sherry. We used Greater Giving for our online auction last year and it was so easy. It’s a nice compliment to the live auction. Looking forward to a successful online event this year as well. Missed your online auction call last week but would love the recording. Thanks for all your info!

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      October 20, 2010 at 12:26 PM

      Hi Leigh Ann – Thanks for the note! If you are registered for the series, you’ll get the call. They’ll be a final email at the end with all the recordings in it, too. So even if you miss an early call — as you did — you’ll get it in the end. Register here: http://www.RedAppleAuctions.com/TechTeleseries

      And good luck with the online auction! I’m sure it will be great.

      Reply
  2. Andy Hill says

    October 14, 2010 at 1:34 PM

    I didn’t get the last of the auctionanytime.com/webcast???

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      October 14, 2010 at 2:02 PM

      Andy, the recording of the call will be sent out to everyone shortly. If you missed the last bit, you’ll be able to hear it via the recording.

      Reply
  3. Lori L. Jacobwith says

    October 13, 2010 at 9:41 AM

    I’m always looking for helpful advice to share with the organizations I coach…and these tips are great. Online is the fastest growing area of giving for nonprofits. These tips remind us all that we spend less to generate gifts online. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Karen_VolunteerSpot says

    October 13, 2010 at 8:36 AM

    Our school is giving it a try for the first time this year (in addition to live event) Crossing fingers for success!

    Reply
  5. Gayle L. Gifford, ACFRE says

    October 12, 2010 at 4:12 PM

    I was just trying to convince an organization I support that has a charity auction to consider an online component. Thanks for more reasons for them to consider.

    Reply
  6. Betsy Baker says

    October 12, 2010 at 2:16 PM

    You continue to amaze me with your knowledge on this subject…great job and good luck on the calls!

    Reply
  7. Bunnie Riedel says

    October 11, 2010 at 2:34 PM

    Hadn’t even thought of it, what a great idea! Thanks! Bunnie

    Reply

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Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!

Krystal Fenwick

Thank you so much for the outstanding job you did for us on April 1! I have received so much positive feedback from so many who attended. You even earned Sister Suzan’s (our Vice-Principal) seal of approval! Safe travels to all your many events and thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year our best ever!

Diane Albano, Director of Development
St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School (St. Augustine, FL)

Sherry is flexible and easy to work with. She gives honest feedback and advice throughout the planning and implementation process. Without a doubt, Sherry and Red Apple Auctions has helped take our annual fundraising event to the next level.

Beckie Middendorf, Development Director and Janet Gulla, Development Coordinator
St. Henry District High School (Erlanger, KY)

Sherry is “on board” from day one of auction planning, works closely with our steering committee and is only just a phone call away. The night of the auction, we toss her the keys and let her drive the event! We are never disappointed!

Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)

I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!

Pete Goldlust, Director of Development
Oak Hill School (Eugene, OR)

If your auction needs to upgrade, call any auctioneer you find on Google. But if you want your auction to be impressive, meaningful, and profitable, you need to call Sherry.

Erin Banda
2016 NYUMBANI Board member

The auction was entertaining .. proactive … the crowd was involved and felt a part of it,” he said, emphasizing, “The entertainment value was huge.

Darrell, a long-time attendee

We plan on booking Red Apple Auctions much earlier for our next event so we can take advantage of more of the pre-event offerings.

Nicole Carr, Director of Grants and Special Events
The Ivymount School (Rockville, MD)

2012 Oakcrest Anne and CarolinaSherry, personally, I can’t even begin to tell you the immense amount of positive feedback that I received having YOU (and Darby) there with is this year!… Read The Rest “Anne Livaudais Knudsen, 5th year gala co-chair”

Aren’t KK and Michael a cute couple? PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9NakF4TWkxSGRXVnpkSE10UW5Wc2JHbHpMVXRMTFdGdVpDMU5hV05vWVdWc0xVcHZjMlZ3YUM1dGNEUT0vP2NvbnRhaW5lcj1ldnAtV0JBVTkwTlVBUyI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+PGRpdiBpZD0iZXZwLVdCQVU5ME5VQVMiIGRhdGEtcm9sZT0iZXZwLXZpZGVvIiBkYXRhLWV2cC1pZD0iTWpBeE1pMUhkV1Z6ZEhNdFFuVnNiR2x6TFV0TExXRnVaQzFOYVdOb1lXVnNMVXB2YzJWd2FDNXRjRFE9Ij48L2Rpdj4= They liked that I “moved the crowd along … kept the crowd engaged but wasn’t obtrusive or invasive. We were able to talk but still keep track of what was going on.”

Staci Meruvia 150 ptYou have NO idea of how many people came up to me (I know Julie as well) and said, ‘That auctioneer was incredible … she engaged the crowd, …… Read The Rest “Staci Meruvia”

Geri said: “Great job of getting potential donors in the room to step up to the plate and not feel guilty or bad about it. They actually wanted to give more … and that’s not something I’ve seen in many other auctioneers.” 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 The following… Read The Rest “Geri”

Irene attended one of my New Hampshire auctions and assumed I must be a radio personality — until I started to chant that fast talk. PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9SM1ZsYzNRdE1qQXhNUzFPU0ZOUVEwRXRTWEpsYm1VdWJYQTBMVEU9Lz9jb250YWluZXI9ZXZwLTVHMlVHQlFGN1YiPjwvc2NyaXB0PjxkaXYgaWQ9ImV2cC01RzJVR0JRRjdWIiBkYXRhLXJvbGU9ImV2cC12aWRlbyIgZGF0YS1ldnAtaWQ9IlIzVmxjM1F0TWpBeE1TMU9TRk5RUTBFdFNYSmxibVV1YlhBMExURT0iPjwvZGl2Pg== “I’ve been to this event before with a couple of other auctioneers,” she said, “Your ability to get personal… Read The Rest “Irene”

Most product & consulting remarks are found on their respective webpages, but I’ve listed two below so you’re assured my products are as spot-on as my auctioneering.   Not only was our 2013 auction a blast, but our Washington, D.C. public school raised $67,000 — that’s $25,000 more than last year! The evening went… Read The Rest “Carolyn Kahn-Hall and Andrea Del Vecchio”

Cynthia Steele Vance_150X180As a former Fox News Anchorwoman, I am often called on to perform at auctions. So, I know first-hand that auctioneering can be a difficult job. Sherry Truhlar is one of the best in the business.… Read The Rest “Cynthia Steele Vance”

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