Silent auctions are nearly all online auctions now, using mobile bidding.
This launches a question in our post-pandemic world:
When is the best time to close the silent auction – before or after the live auction / appeal?
After all, with mobile bidding checkout isn’t as difficult (guests are charged automatically for purchases), items often aren’t at the venue (guests get them later), and mobile bidding allows for wider participation (guests not attending can still participate).
In this video, I talk about some of the big post-pandemic changes I’ve seen thus far this year, including more social crowds and shifts in how the silent auction is handled.
Tip: Research shows that only 10% of guests participate in live items, which means 90% of the attendees simply watch. GiveSmart recommends leaving the silent auction open through the live auction. This allows 90% to continue bidding and increase the revenue raised.
OSM, I agree that only 10-20% of the crowd is active for most live auctions, but to look to silent auction participation oversimplifies and dates the issue. I think there’s more to it.
For instance, the live auction and fund-a-need/paddle raise take place nearly always together in the program, and the paddle raise (like a silent auction) is an opportunity for higher percentage guest participation over a live auction. For nonprofits, the paddle raise is a preferred way of receiving gifts, as silent auctions are time consuming and raise relative little, given the hours of labor required to secure and setup the activity.
Post pandemic, silent auctions have shrunk dramatically anyway. It’s harder to secure items, and nonprofits desire greater space in the venue for guests to circulate, so the paddle raise has increased in importance.
Guests factor the paddle raise into their budgeting, too.
So although it varies by event, I’d suggest that in most cases, having that silent auction closed before asking for live auction and paddle raise donations is preferred.