| Silent auctions are often combined with other | | | | write-off and the potential for a new customer when |
| fundraising events, such as craft fairs, choir and band | | | | they donate to your auction. |
| concerts, and banquets. Anytime a large group of | | | | You can hold a silent auction with lots of items for |
| people is together at an event, indoors or out, you | | | | bidding or you can even have a silent auction when |
| can probably have a silent auction and raise money | | | | you have only one item to auction. Depending on |
| for your organization or charity. | | | | your event, the aforementioned airline tickets could |
| Silent auctions are so named because there is not a | | | | be used by themselves for a silent auction. |
| live auctioneer holding the auction. Instead, the items | | | | You can also be creative with your auctions and |
| to be auctioned are on display with a bid sheet for | | | | have a theme. For example you can create themed |
| each item. The auction-goers bid by writing their bid | | | | gift baskets with the items you receive. Baskets can |
| amount on paper. At the end of the auction, all the | | | | be filled with an assortment of coordinating items. |
| bid sheets are collected and the high bidder pays for | | | | Some possibilities for themes are chocolate lovers, |
| the auction item. | | | | coffee and tea lovers, bath and body, gardening, |
| The opening and minimum bids are usually | | | | candles, and sports. Of course, this will require more |
| predetermined. Bidding usually starts a one half the | | | | work from your volunteers in preparing the auction. |
| retail price of the item. It is a good idea to set | | | | Some things to remember when holding a silent |
| minimum bidding increments so that people don't just | | | | auction are: |
| raise their bids by five cents each time. The higher | | | | Make sure your items are displayed attractively and |
| the dollar value of the item the higher the bidding | | | | that people have enough room to gather around |
| increment should be. For example, if you are | | | | your display tables. |
| auctioning a pair of airline tickets worth $500 you | | | | Have volunteers on hand to help bidders and keep an |
| would start the bidding at $250 with bidding | | | | eye on the items to prevent theft (sadly, it does |
| increments set at $10.00. If you have a gift | | | | occur sometimes). |
| certificate for $40.00 to a hair salon you would start | | | | If you have gift certificates as auction items make |
| the bidding at $20.00 with a $1.00 increment. | | | | sure the expiration date gives the buyer a reasonable |
| Most of the time the items for the silent auction are | | | | time to use the certificate. |
| donated by members of your organization or by | | | | Announce the end of the bidding and let people have |
| businesses. When you auction donated items your | | | | one more chance to bid. |
| organization will get to keep one hundred percent of | | | | When the bidding is over leave yourself enough time |
| the money the item sells for. You can also use | | | | to collect the bids, the money and hand out the |
| donations of money and buy items for the silent | | | | items. People are usually ready to leave at the end of |
| auction but you have to make sure you will still make | | | | an event and do not want to wait around for an |
| a profit if you buy items. Gift certificates from local | | | | hour to receive their item. |
| businesses are the most popular items for silent | | | | Always remember to thank your donors and give |
| auctions. Businesses benefit by getting a tax | | | | them a receipt for tax purposes. |