| With an increased number of organizations | | | | item value. |
| incorporating online fundraising auctions into their | | | | 6. Stagger The Addition of New Items - Instead of |
| fundraising repertoire, maximizing this fundraising | | | | listing all of your auction items when the online |
| strategy in 2010 is paramount. Here are the Top 10 | | | | auction opens, try staggering the addition of new |
| Online Fundraising Auction Tips for 2010. | | | | items. This encourages return visits to the auction |
| 1. Market Your Online Auction - Use multiple | | | | site, and also allows you to stagger opening and |
| communications channels to market your online | | | | closing dates. |
| auction. Make sure to incorporate email, social media, | | | | 7. Promote Your Online Auction - Throughout the |
| and local radio and television stations into helping | | | | duration of your online auction make sure to |
| market your online auction. | | | | constantly promote your auction to supporters, |
| 2. Solicit Sponsorships - The revenue generated from | | | | donors, and members through email and social media |
| sponsorships is exempt from any fees and can help | | | | platforms. |
| offset expenses for your online auction. Remember | | | | 8. Solicit Specific Auction Items - Tell people what |
| that you can give back to your sponsors by putting | | | | auction items you are looking for and the |
| their name and logo in front of desirable supporters, | | | | approximate value range desired. |
| on your auction home page and in your emails. | | | | 9. Use Reserve Prices on Key Items - Make sure to |
| 3. Find The Right People - List the job functions | | | | set reserve prices on any items that are purchased |
| required for your online auction, then enlist help from | | | | or on consignment so you don't lose money. Also, |
| people with skills that match your requirements. | | | | always set reserve prices on any items that a donor |
| 4. Creative and Informative Item Descriptions - Make | | | | requires cannot be sold for less than a certain |
| sure your item names are descriptive, but also | | | | amount. |
| intriguing and interesting. Remember to also include | | | | 10. Recognize Donors - Show your appreciation to |
| detailed descriptions that include all terms and | | | | donors by providing recognition and links on items |
| conditions. | | | | that they have donated. |
| 5. Set Reasonable Starting Bids - Inflating opening bids | | | | Sadly, many organizations will lose fundraising revenue |
| and values will not result in higher bids or revenue if | | | | by not incorporating these online fundraising auction |
| they are unreasonable. It is generally best to start | | | | tips this year. |
| the bidding at approximately one-third of the actual | | | | |