If you want auction fundraising tips to boost bids, engagement, and revenue while creating an unforgettable guest experience, this blog is for you. Keep reading to get powerful, practical strategies from the pros at Murad Auctions to make your next fundraiser a success. Whether you’re organizing a silent auction, live auction, gala, or school fundraiser, these auction fundraising tips will help increase bids, drive engagement, and keep your event running smoothly. From item selection to mobile bidding and post-event follow-up, these insights are designed to boost revenue and deepen donor relationships.
Watch this webinar to dive deeper into each strategy.
Set Clear Fundraising Goals
Before you pick a theme or send an invite, get clear on your goals.
Start With Your Why
Know how much money you want to raise and what the funds will support (e.g., scholarships, new equipment, community programs).
Use Video To Convey Your Mission
Use a video during your event to efficiently convey your mission and showcase who you serve. Get more tips here.
Break it Down
Set a minimum fundraising goal and a stretch goal. Know what it takes to hit each benchmark.
Track and Learn
Look at previous events to guide your planning. What worked? What didn’t? Use those insights to improve.
Share Your Goals With Your Audience
Let guests know what their bids are helping to accomplish to create emotional buy-in.
Get more tips to showcase your mission and those you serve here.
Curate the Right Auction Items
Your auction item selections, how you display them, and how you promote them can make or break your fundraiser.
Offer Variety
Offer a wide variety of silent and live auction items, such as these examples:
See more no-risk live auction packages. These consignment trip and experience packages don’t cost your nonprofit anything unless they sell at your live auction.
Appeal to Emotion
Include items with a story—like student-created art, handwritten notes, or items tied to your mission.
Bundle Smart
Create themed baskets, such as a wine lovers’ basket or a date night basket with a dinner gift card to a great restaurant, movie tickets, and a bottle of wine). Be creative with the themes.
Get more ideas from our basket fundraiser videos.
Help Guests Visualize Items
Always include item photos and well-written descriptions. Guests bid more when they can visualize the items and understand their value. Get more tips here.
Build Pre-Event Buzz
The earlier you promote your auction items, the better.
Offer Sneak Peeks
Share sneak peeks through social media, email campaigns, or donor newsletters.
Create a Countdown
Build anticipation by posting “Top 5 Items to Watch” or a daily reveal in the days leading up to the event.
Offer Early Bidding
If you’re using mobile bidding, allow guests to view and bid on items before the event.
Make Items Irresistible
Use eye-catching images and storytelling to make each item irresistible before the doors even open.
Train and Empower Your Volunteers
Volunteers are key to your event’s success. A friendly, informed volunteer can help answer questions, resolve concerns, and even spark bidding wars.
Give Clear Roles
Assign volunteers to check-in, item tables, checkout, and bid encouragement.
Provide Scripts and FAQs
Make sure they know how to explain the auction process, bidding rules, and how to use the bidding platform.
Do a Run-Of Show
Practice the event flow to reduce confusion and make volunteers feel confident.
Use Professional Auction Software
The right technology keeps things running efficiently. Choose auction software that offers mobile bidding, real-time reporting, payment processing, post-event analytics, and more.
Use Mobile Bidding
Guests can bid from their phones anytime, anywhere, reducing wait times and increasing participation.
Display Real-Time Bidding
Show live bidding activity on screens to create excitement and encourage competition.
Leverage QR Codes
Place QR codes on item signage to link directly to online item pages.
Create a High-Energy Atmosphere
The vibe of your event has a direct impact on fundraising success.
Draw Attention
Use décor and lighting to highlight premium auction items. Uplighting, signage, and themed displays help draw attention. Stage high-value items near the entrance or bar to catch the most foot traffic.
Create Excitement
Make bidding exciting. Have an engaging auctioneer who builds momentum and encourages participation.
Schedule Strategically
Keep things moving. Schedule your live auction for a time when energy is high and guests are fully present. Use these scheduling tips for your silent auction:
Get more silent auction success tips from this blog and this video. Get more live auction success tips from these video playlist lists:
Streamline Check-In And Checkout
Smooth check-in and checkout processes are essential for a great event. Make them fast and frustration-free:
Check-in
Send welcome texts with personal bidding links
- Offer two check-in options
Mobile self-check-in
Managed check-in
Checkout
Post the designated time to checkout
Use one checkout computer per 100 guests
Use mobile checkout, which allows guests to pay from their phones to avoid long lines
Use digital receipts, which can be automatically emailed to guests or allow them to download receipts on the spot.
Have volunteers help guests collect items
Consider a control box method: hand guests printed sheets of the items they’ve won
Thoroughly Train Volunteers
Make sure your volunteers are trained to assist with any payment questions or technical issues.
Follow Up & Show Gratitude
Your event doesn’t end when the last guest leaves.
Say Thank You Immediately
Send personalized emails, texts, or handwritten notes within 48 hours. Include photos or a short recap video to make your thank-you message even more memorable.
Share Your Success
Let supporters know how much was raised and the impact their generosity will have.
Ask For Feedback
A quick post-event survey helps improve future events and shows that you value input.
Final Thoughts: Turn Strategy Into Success
These auction fundraising tips from Murad Auctions offer a clear roadmap for turning your next auction event into a high-impact, high-revenue experience. By setting clear goals, offering compelling items, training your team, and using the right tools, you can create an event that delights your guests and deeply supports your cause.
Take these auction fundraising tips and build them into your planning process. Fundraising isn’t just about money. It’s about creating moments of generosity, joy, and connection.
Quick-Start Checklist
Ready to plan your most successful fundraiser yet? Contact Murad Auctions to get expert help. You can also schedule a free consultation.