How to Plan a Silent Auction

There is no need for an auctioneer at a silent auction.

Silent auctions provide an opportunity to make money for a school, event or charity without the need for many volunteers. In a silent auction, items are displayed and participants write their bids on a sheet of paper. A silent auction usually lasts around two hours and participants can continue to out-bid each other until the auction is over. At the end of the auction, you collect the sheets and announce the winners, who then pay you for their items.

Things You'll Need

• Donations
• Auction sheets
• Fliers
• Several boxes of pens

Instructions

1. Request donations from local businesses and volunteers from your organization. Some examples of donations are gift certificates, crafted items, jewelry and event tickets, but can include anything you think your participants would be interested in buying.

2. Create an auction sheet for each item donated. Include a description of the item, starting price and bid increment.

3. Create fliers for the silent auction. Include a short explanation of a silent auction, a list of what you believe will be your most popular items and the date, time and location.

4. Advertise the silent auction. If the silent auction is for a school or business, post fliers on bulletin boards and send them home with employees or students. If the silent auction is a part of a larger charity program, include a flier announcing the silent auction with rest of the charity's advertisements.

5. Display your items so that similar items are grouped together. For example, if you have gift certificates from local businesses, place them all on the same table.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave a pen on each auction sheet and several extras on the table.

• Provide food at the silent auction. Most people will come if they know they're getting a free meal! Local restaurants will often donate some food or offer you a discount.

• Be creative with your auction items. For example, if the silent auction is for a school, frame your students' artwork or auction off a dinner at a teacher's house.