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The Best Comedy Hypnosis ShowsSilent auctions are a great way to raise funds. Pairing them with exciting entertainment, like Jesse Lewis Comedy Hypnosis, and a meal makes them even more appealing. Whether you’re new to planning or have done this before, these simple steps will guide you through organizing a fun and effective silent auction.
Auction items (donated or sponsored)
Bidding sheets and pens
Tables or display spaces for the items
Social media to promote the auction
A timeline for planning (at least 2 months)
To make your silent auction as successful as possible, involve as many local businesses as you can by encouraging them to donate. Silent auctions are much more exciting when there are plenty of items to bid on. Aim to gather at least 20-30 items to create a lively and engaging auction experience. Reach out to as many local businesses as possible with personalized letters or emails. An easy way to do this is by using your community’s business directory.
One of the first steps in planning your silent auction is finding items to auction. You can ask local businesses or community members to donate items in exchange for promoting their business at the event. Here’s a letter template to help you request donations:
Donation Request Letter Template:
[Your Organization’s Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Date]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
We are hosting a silent auction at [Your Event Name], featuring Jesse Lewis Comedy Hypnosis as entertainment. We would love for [Recipient’s Business] to donate an item to our auction. The funds raised will go toward [insert specific cause or goal].
In return, we will highlight [Recipient’s Business] as a sponsor at our event and on social media. This will help you reach a broader audience and show your community support.
Please let us know if you are interested in donating. We appreciate your support!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
The silent auction will take place at your venue, but since you will only have access to the space on the day of the event, you’ll need to plan ahead. Make sure you arrange pick-up and storage for your auction items before the event. On the day of the event, you’ll set up the items on tables, with bidding sheets and pens for guests to place their bids.
Each auction item should be clearly labeled with a description and the sponsor’s name, making sure everything looks appealing to your guests.
For the auction, you’ll want a clear and easy system for guests to place their bids. Each auction item should have a bidding sheet where participants can write their name, bid amount, and contact information. Here’s a bid sheet template you can print:
Silent Auction Bid Sheet
[Item Name]
Sponsored by: [Sponsor’s Name]
Organized by: [Your Organization’s Name]
| Bidder’s Name | Bid Amount | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
After the bidding closes, you’ll announce the winners. Make sure you have a check-in and check-out process so guests can easily register and later collect their winnings. Having volunteers to help with tracking bids and handling payments is also a good idea.
Promoting your silent auction is key to attracting bids. Use social media, especially Facebook, to post about the auction items leading up to the event. Include images of the items to make the posts more visually appealing and engaging. Be sure to include the sponsor’s name in your posts and let everyone know that they have to be at the event in person to participate. This will build excitement and ensure that more people attend your event.
It’s important to start planning early—at least 2 months before the event. This gives you enough time to gather auction items, contact sponsors, and organize the logistics of the auction.
2 Months Before: Start sourcing auction items, contacting sponsors, and gathering volunteers.
1 Month Before: Promote the auction on social media and finalize all auction details.
1 Week Before: Double-check everything: item displays, bid sheets, and your check-in/check-out system.
Once the auction is over, remember to follow up with everyone. Send a thank-you note to each sponsor, letting them know how their donation helped your cause, such as funding a specific program or reaching a fundraising goal. You can also post thank-you messages on Facebook to acknowledge each sponsor publicly, which helps build relationships for future events.