How to Choose Auction Items For Charity Events to Get Your Audience Excited to Bid

A busy silent auction table is a good sign. When the items are a good fit, guests gather around the bid sheets, check back throughout the event, and compete to place the winning bid. When the items aren't interesting to attendees, the auction can quickly lose momentum. Bid sheets are empty, guests are walking past the tables, and even packages you’ve curated and showcased can miss the mark if they don’t resonate with your guests. The most important thing is whether your auction items will appeal to your attendees.

Who Will Be Attending Your Auction?

Are your guests parents, young professionals, business owners, alumni, community members, or a combination? What do they enjoy doing in their free time? What types of experiences would appeal to them?

Family Auction Items

• Orlando family vacation

• Wilderness Adventure in Montana

• NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade

• Desert Oasis in Scottsdale

• NHL Winter Classic

Wine Lover Packages & Experiences

• Wine Tasting in Napa

• Wine Tasting in Sonoma

• Fine Wine Tastings in Cortona, Italy

• Wine Tour & Wine Tasting in Porto, Portugal

Vacation Packages For Golf & Adventure Seekers

• Golf and Whisky Experience in Edinburgh

• Golfing in Scotland

• Golf at the Famous 14th Hole at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course

• Ride the Mountains in Alberta

• Explore the Outdoors in Aspen

• Enjoy Asheville’s Beautiful Scenery

• Hike in the Italian Dolomites

• Offshore Saltwater Fishing Experience

• Explore Lake Tahoe by Water & Land

Choose Items That Appeal To Attendees

The items that generate excitement are ones your audience sees as valuable, desirable, and worth bidding on. This is why exclusive experiences and one-of-a-kind packages are so appealing; rarity adds a sense of exclusivity, making something feel more coveted and special.

Keep the Bidding Momentum

Once you’ve chosen the auction items you’ll be showcasing at the event, it will be important to create momentum before and during the event. Build anticipation before the event by giving guests teasers of the auction items that will be available to bid on. Send out emails with these packages, post them on social media, and ask supporters to share as well. Be sure to have high-quality photos and descriptions for the packages, and the great cause that their donations will support.

Make Your Auction Unforgettable With Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences

An auction isn’t just about selling packages, but also about creating an experience that inspires people to give to a cause they believe in. With the right mix of experiences, travel and entertainment, and other desirable items, people will be ready to start bidding when they get to the auction.

BlueTree Marketing’s curated vacation packages and experiences are items that are memorable and in high demand. There are no upfront costs. You only pay when a package sells. Contact BlueTree Marketing today so we can help you choose packages that attendees will be interested in.

FAQs

• How many items should you have in an auction?

  The right number of auction items depends on your event size, audience, and fundraising goals. Focus on offering a variety of desirable packages and experiences rather than having a lot of items that may not generate much interest.

• Should I offer experiences or physical items at a charity auction?

  Experiences and physical items can both appeal to your guests, however, experiences are usually more desirable because they give guests the opportunity to travel to places they might never have visited, or might be on their bucket list.

• How do I create excitement around auction items before the event?

  Promote your most exciting items ahead of the fundraiser through email, social media, and your website. Sharing photos, details, and sneak peeks can build anticipation before the event.

• How can I make the event more appealing to potential attendees?

  Offer exciting things like guest speakers, entertainment, interactive activities, or exclusive experiences. Highlight any incentives like raffles, giveaways, or networking opportunities. People are more likely to attend when they see personal value.

• What role does storytelling play in attracting attendees?

  Sharing authentic stories about your organization’s impact helps bring your cause to life and make it emotionally meaningful. When people connect with the mission, they’re more likely to attend and contribute.

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