Steps to Adding an Online Auction to Your Event

Get more items, more bids and raise even more money by placing your auction catalog online!

Getting Started

STEP 1 - Log In
Review the Quickstart Guide, Resource Center materials and Knowledgebase Trainings in the Auction Manager to maximize the potential of your online auction.

STEP 2 - Account Management
Use BiddingForGood (cMarket)'s Auction Manager to create accounts for all Auction Team Members, choose your payment processing methods and import email lists to send notifications to your donors and supporters.

STEP 3 - Sync Up
When running a live or silent auction following an online event, mimic your printed catalog online by including identical item and lot numbers to make the transition into the room even easier.

STEP 4 - Raise Thousands More with Unlimited Sponsorships
BiddingForGood (cMarket)'s sponsorship opportunities extend well beyond your event, giving all sponsors the chance to connect with thousands of new consumers through linked logos in your online auction.

STEP 5 - Set Up a "Smarter Auction"
Activate this feature in order to create daily reports that help you track the progress of your auction and guide you towards your fundraising goals.

STEP 6 - Get Creative
Customize a template design using unique colors, banners and logos, and create item categories to let bidders preview items available when your auction opens.

STEP 7 - Reach 130,000+ New Affluent Bidders
Make your auction accessible to the BiddingForGood Bidder community, to further promote your auction.

STEP 6 - Introducing...Your Online Auction
Activate the "Coming Soon" homepage to help solicit additional sponsors, request item donations and build anticipation for your upcoming event.

Running an Auction

STEP 1 - Let the Bidding Begin!
Switch from the "Coming Soon" placeholder page to the "Auction Open" homepage to motivate visitors to bid, inform bidders about featured items and provide more information about your event and cause.

STEP 2 - The Word is Out
Announce the start of your event using the "Auction Open" email template and continue to promote with regular blasts about "New Items Added", "Featured Items" and "Items Closing Soon."

STEP 3 - Point, Click, DONATE
If you're using the "Donate an Item" button, take note of any new items that come in daily and add them to your catalog.

STEP 4 - What's New
Maintain interest by updating your auction site with fresh information and by rotating sponsor banners to give corporate supporters maximum exposure on your site.

STEP 5 - Go On...Be a Sellout
Don't forget to promote online ticket sales directly through your auction homepage to increase participation at your event and raise more money for your cause.

STEP 6 - Motivate Would-Be Winners
Send out a "Last Chance to Bid" email to instill a sense of urgency in those with interest in remaining items.

Evaluating Your Success

STEP 1 - Auction Now Closed
Use the "Auction Closed" template to post information about Fulfillment and upcoming events, and to draw attention to the Donate Cash button to continue to raise funds.

STEP 2 - Keep the Momentum Going
If you're moving online items into a Live or Silent Auction event, you can use the highest bid from the online portion as the opening bid in the room - garnering more revenue per item donation.

STEP 3 - Thanks for Your Support!
Send Thank You emails to participants, send winners information about fulfillment and give non-winners the chance to place a "Winning Donation" by pledging cash using your auction site.

STEP 4 - Close Out and Archive
BiddingForGood (cMarket) makes it easy to close out online items. We offer live event aids, including printable bid sheets, and let you save email addresses in your account to make your next auction even smoother.

STEP 5 - End of Auction Reporting
Schedule a consultation with one of BiddingForGood (cMarket)'s auction experts to discuss your End of Auction Report and learn how to make your next online auction even more profitable.

STEP 6 - Run Another Auction (or two)
Why wait a whole year when you can benefit from BiddingForGood (cMarket)'s annual subscription by running additional auctions including Leftover (Unsold) items Auctions, Theme Auctions, Holiday Auctions and Single Item Auctions.