In this article, we will provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide on how to easily set up your silent auction.
Silent auctions are highly recommended due to their effectiveness in engaging donors and raising more funds for your organization. One of the key advantages of using Trellis' silent auction tool is its quick and easy setup process. All you need to do is share the link with your participants after setting it up.
1. Login to your Trellis account.
2. On your Dashboard, choose the fundraising page you wish to use for your silent auction and click Edit.
3. Navigate to your Sidebar Settings and select Silent & Live Auctions.
4. Toggle the Enabled Auctions on.
5. (Optional) Add your items' sponsors by selecting Auctions Sponsors and then click Add Sponsor at the top right area.
6. Add your sponsor details and hit Save.
Pro Tip:
You can leave the connected auction items empty. You will be able to connect the sponsor of the item when you add the items later on.
Pro Tips:
1. Trellis would automatically start and end your silent auction according to the date/time settings you have set up here so make sure you add the right dates, times, and select the right timezone.
2. !!Trellis will be sending a notification that the auction started automatically based on the start date/time so make sure you update this accordingly.
3. To learn more about the benefits and then decide if you want to enable Overtime Bidding click here.
4. To learn more about the benefits and then decide if you want to enable Donate Auction Bid click here.
8. Now add your auction items by selecting Auction Items and clicking Add Item at the top right area.
9. Complete your item's information and hit Save.
- You can use the listing number as your key identifier.
- In the Tags/Categories field, simply enter the tag or category that you want to use, and then press enter. This will automatically generate and assign the tag to your item. Please note that currently, there is no feature to delete existing tags, but you can easily replace them by retyping or entering a new tag.
- Attachments via email are commonly utilized for intangible items like electronic gift cards. These attachments are exclusively sent to the winning bidder.
- Organizations often choose to include additional fees, either fixed or a percentage, to cover shipping fees or taxes. If there are any additional fees, a note will be visible to the donor when they place a bid. However, it is highly recommended that organizations also include this information in the item description to ensure that donors are well-informed.
- In the "Connected Sponsors" field, you have the option to type in and search for the sponsors you have previously added, and then link them to the item. This allows you to easily connect the sponsors to the items in your silent auction.
Pro Tip:
1. Your starting bid should be 40% of the value of your item, your bid increment should be 10%, your buy now should be 150%, and your goal should be to raise an additional 20% on the item value.
10. Toggle on your Show silent auction tab to donors and click Publish Changes then review your live or preview page and make sure you proofread everything.
11. Now lastly, set your page status to Live if you haven't yet.
Pro Tip:
If you want to preview your auction but don't want to display your auction tabe to your donors yet here's a link you can follow.
Once you have successfully set up your silent auction, you are ready to make your page live and share the link with your donors. This will allow them to easily participate and contribute to your fundraising efforts.
Below are other articles that you might find helpful:
1. Checklist in launching your Silent Auction using Trellis
2. How to Send an Auction Bulk Upload Request
3. How to extract your auction reports
4. How to manage my bidders during and after the auction
5. Why do I see the same bid amount from different bidders?
6. How to Generate and Download Your Auction Printouts
7. How to generate QR codes
Did this answer your question? If not, please reach out to the Trellis Support team via the blue chat icon or email support@trellis.org.