When running our charity events we offer both brochure and online platforms to enable bidding throughout the night, but which one is better and what are the pros and cons? 

Event organisers planning a fundraising event may be concerned as to which bidding platform is best for their silent auction. The most traditional method and one that most charity events/organisers are familiar with is brochures. Based on our years of experience, this tends to be the most popular and most successful – and certainly the return to the charity is higher.  

Some events may be more suited to online bidding and there has been a shift towards digital solutions in recent years. Some clients may prefer this as it enables them to reach a wider audience.  

Below we have outlined the benefits of both, how they work and the differences between the two.  

Brochures:   

Brochures provide tangibility – a physical brochure creates sense of exclusivity, and also something for guests to take home as a souvenir of the evening.

It also enables a personal touch, handing out brochures can add a personal, direct engagement with attendees and an opportunity to talk about the cause the auction is raising money for. 

They are also easier for less tech-savvy guests who might prefer written materials, and the ability to browse through the information in their own time.

There is also the opportunity to add other content to the brochure to save print costs such as information about the charity, own donated items, and contact details for after the event.

The main benefit of brochure bidding would be that the bids are fully blind. Guests are more likely to bid what they are willing to pay for the prize with brochure bidding rather than technology because they can’t see which lots have had a bid on. This has the biggest benefit to the charity and helps raise the most money. 

 

Technology 

Technology tends to have a broader reach: Participants can bid remotely from anywhere, increasing auction visibility. You can send the link to the auction to those who are unable to attend on the night, and as a result maximise the audience that is able to bid for the items. 

With a technology platform, guests can view the prizes others are bidding on and see the current value of each lot. While this transparency can be seen as a drawback, it often fosters competitive bidding, potentially driving up the final bids.

Using technology you can provide real-time updates: Bids can be monitored and updated instantly, increasing competitiveness.

One big selling point is that the use of technology makes it eco-friendly: No paper waste, aligns with many people’s sustainability goals.

Technology also benefits data collection, as the information is already on the system and you can gather insights and analytics for future auctions.

Online bidding also works really well at events where guests are across rooms or areas (such as sporting hospitality), it means you don’t need everyone in the same room. 

 

So, both options have benefits and drawbacks, it really does depend on the event and audience in question.  Craig Stephens, Business Development Manager:  “Both brochures and technology have their unique benefits, and at Impulse Decisions, we proudly offer both options. If you’re unsure which platform will best maximize your fundraising, our team is here to guide you every step of the way”.  

There is also the option of combining both technology and brochures and maximising the benefits of each approach. Such a Hybrid model uses brochures at the event with QR code linking to the online bidding platform.  You can also have multiple touchpoints – so brochures act as a promotional tool, but you then drive the bidding/updates online. 

If you are unsure on which platform would work best for you our experienced team are more than happy to advise. Contact us via sales@impulsedecisions.com or 01423 531682 to speak to a member of our fundraising team. We are more than happy to share our years of expertise, and to tailor our knowledge and experience to make every event run as well as it possibly can.