Online Auctions ARE Like Weddings!
Following in the footsteps of E
ric, I’m continuing with our ‘Engaged Men of BiddingForGood’ wedding week theme. I’m excited to talk about how planning a wedding is very similar to planning an online auction. My fiancée Wendy and I are getting married in 100 days from today. We are definitely beginning to feel the pressure of the impending day. While it may be one of the most exciting times for a couple, it also comes with stress. So here are a few things we’ve learned that may help alleviate that anxiety.
Like weddings, online auctions are massive events to produce. A lot of time, money and effort go into making them great. And it’s painfully obvious when either doesn’t go well.
The key, initially and throughout, is organization. There are so many aspects to stay on top of that it is essential that you have a plan, timeframes, and systems in place to make sure it all gets arranged. You don’t want to be the bride or groom that forgets to hire the photographer that you really want in time, or the organization that doesn’t have enough items for their auction. Once you have established the basics in both instances; date, venue, entertainment or activities, then you can move onto the next big step.
And that is: to promote your event. For a wedding, it’s not necessarily called promotion, but sending save-the-dates, announcing in the newspaper, and spreading the word to all your friends and family is important to ensure that all the people you care about can be there on your special day. That is the same approach you should take as an organization. You want to be able to celebrate with all the people that you care about, and more importantly, who care about you. These people that are willing to give their time and money to support your cause are the engine of your event. So reach out to your community via newsletter, advertising, emails, and, if you are a school, notices sent home with the children. Remember that with an online auction, your community is much more than your local supporters. There are amazing people out there who would love to hear about you and the goodness you are bringing to the world. Find ways to reach them. Social media and utilizing connections to people outside your immediate circle will extend your reach. BiddingForGood has a great marketing platform to help you do this, and our Bidder Community is filled with people that may not have known your organization before, but who would love to support it.
This brings me to my next point: partnership. An event at this scale is too hard to undertake alone. A bride and groom not only lean on their family and friends for advice, tips, and support, but they also partner with reputable vendors to ensure that their wedding is one to remember. In the case of an organization, a reliable online auction company like BiddingForGood can be a partner throughout the planning and execution of your event. We want you to succeed as much as you do. Speak with your Auction Expert to get the best advice. Use our webinars, demos, and expertise to your benefit. Like a good caterer, we have many years of experience to offer. You don’t have to go it alone.
Make sure you give your auction the look and feel that illustrates who you are and what you stand for. A bride and groom pick out colors, flowers, decorations, and all sorts of other fun details that give their guests a sense of who they are as a couple. You can customize your auction site, as well as promotional materials to match your organization’s brand. And just like a couple chooses a cake, or a DJ to engage their guests, make sure you get great items to engage your audience. Exciting items in your online auction equals success, just like good food and great dancing are essential to a fun wedding.
Finally, make sure you say thank you. A bride and groom will return from their honeymoon and spend weeks writing out notes of gratitude to all their guests for joining them in their celebration. Make sure you do the same. While your guests may not be the family you would invite to your wedding, they have formed a strong bond with your organization. Show them that you appreciate them and their support, and they are likely to come back for your next event!