When I teach my 3-day BOOTCAMP for Benefit Auctioneers class to aspiring fundraisers across the country, one part of Tab 1 is an entire seminar condensed into a few pages called “65 Ways to Create Prepared Bidders.” Yes, there are literally at least 65 ways that you and your auctioneer can creatively promote your live auction items and get your attendees educated and excited for what’s next.

One of the simplest, cheapest and most effective is a large Live Auction Handout. The one shown fully explains 10 items and has an image for each. We choose to do this on a 11″ x 14″ sheet so that the text is actually readable, but you could use both sides of a smaller size. This is inexpensive and practical because it can be edited up to the final day for accuracy (instead of catalog descriptions written 2 weeks prior).

THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE TO PREPARING YOUR GUESTS TO GIVE. Seriously, a little louder for those in the back, as they say. You get one night, once a year. Do everything you can to create prepared bidders who are excited about the upcoming opportunities instead of dreading your auction.