Like other areas of the software, creating an auction all begins with creating an auction page. The auction page interfaces with several other modules and features including the Fundraising Module and Events Module and, for online auctions, you will also use the features of text messaging and the Constituent Portal.
Auctions can be silent, live, online, and a hybrid combination of these.
- A silent auction is one where your bidders enter their bids manually on a bid sheet.
- A live auction is one where your bidders attend an event and an auctioneer/emcee solicits bids for an item live at the event. Bidders typically hold up a paddle with their auction bidder ID number on it, or raise their hand to indicate their bid.
- An online auction is one where bidders can only make their bids using a mobile device (cellphone or tablet) or computer by visiting the auction page. Online auctions require the activation of text marketing. Bidders must have a portal account and a credit card on file to place a bid for an online auction.
- A hybrid auction is one where you have some items being auctioned live and some being sold online or in a traditional silent auction using paper bid sheets. The same auction item should not be included in all three options, so only one type of bid, either live, online, or silent, should be used for a single item.
You can also link your auction to an event so that bidder ID numbers will be assigned to attendees automatically. On the event page's Settings tab in the Advanced Settings section, you can activate the Auction Event toggle and select the auction to link to your event.
Linking an auction to an event will limit bidders to those who attend the event or register for the auction online. Auctions are often linked to events where you will be hosting a paddle raise (call to heart, pledge drive, fund-a-need), sell game or raffle tickets at the event, and have silent and live auction items as well.
