How to run a smooth silent auction from start to finish

Using Bidstation to run your nonprofit fundraising auction will improve the guest experience and make the process easier for organizers and volunteers.

Stage 1: Before the auction

Get ready for your silent auction with the materials you’ll need:

Import auction items and attendees from Excel
Create and Print bid sheets, displays, certificates, labels, etc.

Bidstation comes primed with MS Word document templates to kick-start your creativity. Customize with your own design, logo, layout or use them out of the box. Integrates with Word using merge document functions to enable any type of customization.

Built in tools such as auto bid-increments on bid sheets and item number generator makes it simpler and easier to prepare.

Stage 2: During the auction

Guests will be treated to a smooth, relaxed check-in with card-on-file using the Bidstation app on iOS and/or Android devices with Square card reader hardware.

Save each bidder’s card on file at check-in.
Quick and easy recording of winning bids, purchases and donations so you’re ready for checkout on time.
Prepare invoices that show which bidders have a card on file to make it easy to spot who needs to pay and who can go directly to item pickup.
Tap, chip, swipe or manually enter cards, or cash and checks, for guests who need to pay at checkout.

Stage 3: After the auction

Using Bidstation’s handy reports and familiar interface, review the numbers for accuracy. When ready, process payments individually or in a batch with Square.

Process all card on file payments with just a few clicks.
Email invoices and payment receipts as needed, right from Bidstation.

Close out your auction in less time than you thought possible and get the proceeds deposited sooner through your Square account.

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Check out our Gold Standard Series for more.

Part 1 – The Gold Standard for Charity Auctions

Part 2 – The Psychology of Fundraising Auction Bidding

Part 3 – Beyond One-Night-Revenue

Part 4 – why Mobile bidding Costs More but Delivers Less

Part 5 – Why Organizations Choose Mobile

Part 6 – Staggered Closings and Other Secrets to Silent Auction Success

Part 7 – The Operations Playbook to Running Flawless Modern Traditional Auctions

TRY IT FOR FREE!

You can evaluate Bidstation’s effectiveness for your event yourself by trying it out.
Run a small simulated auction of your own with our sample data using your Square account.

Start a free trial