Get Your Auctions Going...Going...

6. Form a procurement team.

Soliciting items for both the live and silent portions of the auction, also called procurement, is key to a profitable event. Putting together a powerful procurement team can help ensure success in securing donations and meeting event revenue goals. Select people who have a wide circle of contacts. Much of the success of procurement is knowing the right people. Also request items via your Web site and through other e-mail communications.

7. Use event-management software.

Software that is intuitive and easy to use will assist you with all of your event planning and processes -- from procurement to check-out and everything in between -- including keeping track of attendees, creating packages, the catalog, seating assignments, bid sheets and more. And best of all, it can help you plan year after year.

8. Silent- and live-auction order is important.

Create several sections for your silent auction with staggered closing times. It’s important to provide a variety of items of different values and themes in each section. Additionally, pay attention to the order of your live auction items. According to top benefit auctioneers, the order in which items are sold can often be as important as the items themselves and can increase auction revenue.

9. Maintain a positive mental attitude.

Once your event day is here, stay positive and take a deep breath. Have confidence that you have prepared and that everything will go well. Relax and enjoy the results of all of your hard work.

10. After the event, celebrate your success.

You and your committee and all the volunteers deserve it. Take notes for next year while things are still fresh in your mind, and don’t forget to send out those all-important thank-you notes!