Mobile Bidding: Is it a Good Fit for Your Next Event?

Mobile Bidding Is it a Good Fit for your Event Banner

Now more than ever, electronic, touchless bidding is being highly sought after as the experience of choice for fundraising auctions. But, is Mobile Bidding the right solution for your next gala event? Read on below to find out!

What is Mobile Bidding?

Mobile Bidding allows your event attendees to bid and donate right from their smartphones. And, all without leaving the comfort of their seats! Instead of using paper and pen, silent auction bids, purchases, and donations are captured via a custom branded microsite—a small, streamlined website with a mobile-ready, app-like feel.

How does Mobile Bidding work?

When guests arrive at your event, they check-in just as they typically would. Upon check-in, your attendees will receive a text message with their unique log-in credentials and a hyperlink to your custom-branded microsite. Guests can then log in, add any missing contact and payment information, and start bidding—simple as that!

Your supporters no longer need to peruse tables crowded with bid sheets, pens, and elbows. They simply click on items that interest them, read up on the details, and submit their bids. And, forget guests not knowing when they are outbid! Instead of needing to run back to review bid sheets, your supporters will receive text notifications encouraging them to bid again.

Guests can also utilize our AutoBid feature to set a maximum bid for an item. Doing so lets our system bid for them until their maximum bid is reached. And, once bidding ends, guests can review their winnings and make their payments right from their seats.

Why is electronic bidding so beneficial?

Mobile Bidding can be extremely beneficial to your event and your team for a number of reasons. Below, we’ve outlined the top three!

  • Streamline Guest Check-In: Gather your guests’ cell phone numbers, either at check-in or prior, and automatically text attendees their login credentials. Make your check-in process even more efficient by requiring that guests enter any missing contact information themselves, prior to being able to bid. This ensures you gather all the information you need to reconcile charges and distribute items at the end of your event!
  • Extend Bidding Time Frame: Instead of closing your auction during dinner and keynote speeches, extend your silent auction all night! Eliminating bid sheets allows your guests to bid throughout the evening from the comfort of their seats. And, with longer bidding timeframes, you allow competition to continue and bring in extra bids!
  • Quick & Easy Check-out: Once bidding has closed, your guests are able to pay right from their cell phone! This eliminates long, stressful payment and pickup lines that gala events often have. Instead, you’ll have happy bidders able to efficiently and easily support your event.

What to think about when considering Mobile Bidding

Mobile Bidding is a great addition to a lot of events. However, it will not be a great addition to EVERY event. When deciding if Mobile Bidding will work best for your event, consider and question the points below.

  • Your past Event Experience: Start by reviewing your past, non-mobile bidding events. Did your guests have to stand in long lines to check-in, place bids, or make payments? Did your silent auction items produce less revenue than expected, based on their values? Answering “Yes” to either of these questions indicates that Mobile Bidding could benefit your next event!
  • Size of your Silent Auction: Mobile Bidding works well for large and small silent auctions alike. With larger silent auctions, Mobile Bidding is an excellent choice and means you won’t have to make room for bid sheets. Meaning, you'll have room for other money-makers! However, with small silent auctions, you should plan to weigh the software cost against the revenue you hope to make.
  • Cellular Network Capabilities: Your guests will need access to cellular data in order to use Mobile Bidding. You will need to verify the strength and speed of cellular data networks from within your event space. Be sure to perform tests to gauge how fast the internet is in and around your venue’s location.
  • Your Audience Demographics: Demographics can be tricky when you are considering making a change, especially one that involves technology. If you’re worried that your crowd will be confused or frustrated by Mobile Bidding, consider having dedicated volunteers at your event to provide tech support. If you’re unsure how your supporters will feel, send out a quick survey to test the waters!
  • Size of your Volunteer Team: If you are short-staffed, Mobile Bidding is a great option! This is because there is no need to manually clerk your silent auction. Instead, your volunteers can focus on your live auction and paddle raise.

Get started Today

With the increasing preference among attendees for digital platforms, Mobile Bidding is a great tool for your next event! If you’re looking to eliminate bid sheets, or want to streamline check-in and check-out, Mobile Bidding has got you covered! Our Mobile Bidding platform is feature-rich, simple to use, and yields great results. It allows for an unlimited number of item and image uploads, plus it can be customized to reflect your brand. And, with a mobile-friendly user experience, bidders can participate on any smart device. So, get in touch today to see how we can help make your next gala event a successful one!

The Pros & Cons of Public-Facing Fundraising Goals

Pros & Cons of a Public-Facing Fundraising Goal Banner

Did you know that Americans gave $471 billion to charities in 2020? This large number shows the sheer volume of people that wish to do good. Many people like to find a cause to donate to that is impactful to their personal life—hopefully, that’s your cause!

One fundraising strategy you can employ is to state a public-facing fundraising goal, where potential donors can see how much money you are raising. There are several pros and cons you should consider when deciding to use a public-facing goal as part of your fundraising strategy. Read on to find out if this is the right option for your organization!

Pro: Fundraising Goals motivate Donors to give more

People love collaboration, and feeling like they are working together to make something big happen for your organization can be a great motivator. When donors see the progress you are making towards your goal, they have a visual of how much more needs to be given. This incentivizes them to do their part, so they know they made a difference.

A great example of this is a building being built. Let’s say the goal is to raise $250,000. Donors know that each contribution they make will go toward that building. Being able to eventually see the result of the funds they contributed—the finished building—can be of great help.

Con: Donors may question what the Funds will be used for

When you publicly state your fundraising goal, donors have the opportunity to question what that money will be used for. Without knowing the specifics of your foundation’s operations, they may reason away that the amount of money stated as your goal is not needed.

Many people do not realize that successful nonprofits also have operating costs. For example, spending money marketing a fundraiser will make the campaign likely to bring in more money. Paying executives more than average may bring in stronger talent that can lead to a better fundraiser with a higher donation rate.

When your financial goal is displayed for the public to see, it is also open to the public’s opinions. People not well versed in nonprofit operations can easily decide not to donate to your fundraiser because of their incorrect perceptions of how the funds will be used.

Pro: If your Goal is not met, you can extend your Fundraiser

Fundraising campaigns often run for a range of dates. Once that time has elapsed, your campaign comes to a close, and the time to welcome standard donations begins. However, setting a public-facing fundraising goal can allow your organization to push the event beyond its planned timeline.

Having a set dollar figure as your goal is a great reason to extend your fundraising campaign for longer. Your organization can clearly state how much more needs to be earned, and incentivize donors to finish the goal together.

Con: Fundraising Goals may cause big Donors to scale back their Donations

There are five main types of donors: loved ones, casual givers, cause contributors, community crusaders, and big fish. The big fish category makes up big foundations and corporations that often contribute the largest dollar figures to your fundraising campaigns.

Let’s say Company Blue wants to donate $25,000 to the local animal shelter in 2022. If the animal shelter sets a fundraising goal of $20,000, Company Blue may scale back its contribution. Setting a public-facing fundraising goal may make donors think that amount is ALL your organization needs.

Pro: Public-Facing Fundraising Goals create buzz within your target Group

Having a public-facing fundraising goal is a great way to create buzz about your fundraising campaign! Keeping the public apprised of your progress towards your goal will make them feel like part of your process.

This can be a great tool to use in social media campaigns as well! Interactive posts can allow your donors to see the contribution they make as they give. Creating a buzz around your fundraising campaign keeps people talking about it, and motivates people involved to work together and reach your desired goal.

Con: Once your Goal is met, Donors may not be motivated to give more

With a public-facing fundraising goal, there is often a lot of hype and collaboration in reaching that magic number. However, after your goal is met, donor support quickly drops off.

If you are part of a nonprofit organization, you know that the goal is to raise as much as possible for the cause you care about. Though a fundraising goal is met, you want to see generous donations continue to flow in to support your cause.

With a goal amount set, potential donors that see the amount being met may choose not to give. They could easily decide that your cause is taken care of and that their finances are better given to a cause that needs the funds more.

Happy Fundraising

We hope this article helped you understand the pros and cons of a public-facing fundraising goal! There is no right or wrong way of running your fundraising campaign. It simply depends on your organization’s needs and financial goals.

As you develop a fundraising goal for your organization in 2022, reach out to the team at Auction Frogs for support! We offer amazing guidance on online auctions, event fundraising, mobile bidding, donation campaigns, and so much more. Contact us today to learn about how we can help your team this year.

Six Fundraisers to Explore in 2022

Six Fundraisers to Explore in 2022 Banner

As you ring in the New Year and begin to look ahead at what 2022 has to offer, you may be wondering… what types of fundraisers you should be planning? Owing to creative solutions to fundraising struggles faced by many nonprofits during the pandemic, there are more options than ever before! So, what’s new? And, are the classic fundraising staples still viable options?

Keep reading for our list of the top six fundraisers we recommend for 2022.

Online Auction Fundraisers

Online Auctions are often an underrated fundraiser choice. Using a customizable Online Auction site, you can raise money in several ways—not only with auction items. Keep in mind, sponsorship opportunities, merchandise sales, and donations can all occur within the same site!

If you have never planned an online fundraiser before, it’s normal to have reservations. But, now more than ever, donors are primed and ready to try something new, especially in a digital environment. With a strong marketing campaign and a little extra education for hesitant donors, you may find that Online Auctions are a new favorite for you and your audience!

Pros of Online Auctions

  • Inexpensive & requires fewer volunteer hours
  • Larger target audience & longer bidding timeframes
  • Multiple ways to enhance your offered sponsorships

Cons of Online Auctions

  • Small learning curve for those who have never participated in an online auction
  • Requires more time upfront as you set up your auction site & build your item list

Traditional Gala Fundraisers

Traditional Gala fundraisers vary widely in cost. Meaning, their price tag may range anywhere from $5,000 to well above $30,000. Ultimately, their cost will be dependent upon the number of guests, venue, and the catering choices you make.

Galas also vary widely in theme and structure, but most typically include dinner, keynote speakers, a live and silent auction, and a paddle raise. Keep in mind, while they are a great choice for any nonprofit organization, traditional Galas work especially well for those with a localized audience.

Pros of Traditional Galas

  • Fun & interactive for donors to gather in the same room for a common cause
  • Industry proven moneymaker
  • Provides direct & specialized mission messaging
  • Larger opportunity to offer VIP experiences & sponsorship perks

Cons of Traditional Galas

  • Can become very expensive very quickly
  • Impactful for only a short period of time
  • Potential liability & social responsibility issues can arise, particularly during the pandemic
  • Misson messaging can get lost in the “party”

Golf Tournament

Golf Tournaments are a fun fundraiser to add to your calendar. These outdoor events reach a different demographic than other fundraising events as they appeal more to business-centered audiences. Therefore, they are a great way for nonprofits to build new relationships with local businesses within their community!

Golf Tournaments vary largely in price based on course location, food selection, swag, prizes, etc. Like with any event, Golf Tournaments offer great opportunities for sponsorships, helping to cover costs. Remember, businesses are more likely to buy sponsorships that include ample marketing opportunities during the event. So, get creative and make sure to advertise your sponsorship packages well!

Pros of Golf Tournaments

  • Reach a business-centered demographic
  • Requires moderate cost & effort
  • Offers the opportunity to tap into business dollars typically reserved for marketing
  • Creates more personalized small-group networking

Cons of Golf Tournaments

  • Challenging to gross more than $50,000 in most markets
  • Limited by season & subject to weather
  • Mission messaging can get easily lost in the tournament play

Virtual Event Fundraisers

Virtual events combine the power of Online Auctions with a live or pre-recorded broadcast. On average, the cost of a high-quality Virtual Event is between $5,000 and $10,000. They are a great match for nonprofits with state, national, or international reach as they create a unique fundraising experience for a widespread audience.

Pros of Virtual Events

  • Less expensive than traditional Gala fundraisers
  • Larger target audience & longer bidding timeframes
  • Livestream remains online in perpetuity & can be repurposed as a marketing tool, extending impact

Cons of Virtual Events

  • Can be difficult for certain audience segments to participate
  • Requires a strong marketing strategy
  • Need for A/V team with the experience & equipment to make a broadcast possible

Hybrid Event Fundraisers

Recently, “Hybrid Event” has come to mean many different things. At Auction Frogs, we define a Hybrid Event as an in-person fundraiser combined with a virtual experience. This virtual experience is typically a live stream of your event program for stay-at-home donors and includes simultaneous bidding in your auction.

Most importantly, when planning a Hybrid Event, keep your expectations realistic. The “sky’s the limit” approach can often make these fundraisers more work than they need to be.

Pros of Hybrid Events

  • Allows at-home & in-room bidding to give your entire audience a chance to participate
  • Auction can be opened early to support a longer bidding timeframe
  • Donations can still be received & recognized from at-home donors

Cons of Hybrid Events

  • Small learning curve for those who have never participated in electronic bidding
  • Time delays will exist for at-home bidders, so auction activity will not match your broadcast
  • Auctioneers need to move slower so live auction will take longer

Donation Campaigns

You may have a donation form on your website that sits there all year long. But, a Donation Campaign like those used for GivingTuesday can be a great asset to your fundraising strategy.

There are many different forms that a Donation Campaign can take, from a peer-to-peer model to a direct mail campaign. To determine which fundraiser style is right for you, consider factors like your fundraising goal, audience demographic, and the time of year when your campaign will be held.

Pros of Donation Campaigns

  • Combines resources you already have to drive traffic to your website & increase donations during slower giving times
  • Can be utilized with marketing & social media to create content that lives on to be repurposed in future
  • Stories can be gathered & created year-round

Cons of Donation Campaigns

  • Needs a strong marketing foundation
  • Really important to stick with a strategy & connect with your audience
  • Requires use of brand ambassadors to be successful

Whether you plan to try a new fundraiser in 2022 or return to a favorite model from the past, we wish you a successful year of fundraising and hope you have fun along the way!

Use Auction Frogs for your fundraisers in 2022

Our platform is feature-rich, simple to use, and yields great results. It allows for an unlimited number of item and image uploads, plus it can be customized to reflect your brand identity. And, with a mobile-friendly user experience, bidders can participate on any smart device.

So, get in touch today to see how we can help make your next gala event a successful one!