Published July 10th, 2025 

1. Hire Professional Auctioneers.

Hiring professional auctioneers will generate more revenue and make the evening more enjoyable for your attendees. Often, organizations think they are saving money by using a volunteer from within their organization or a local TV or radio celebrity. While using a "free" volunteer might seem like a cost-saving option, we often see "money left on the table" because the volunteer can't energize and maximize the crowd into bidding. The local “weatherman” who is great at announcing the daily forecast might not be the best choice for your important fundraising event. We've heard comments from attendees at such events, calling the night "painful" and saying the audience was "turned off" during the live auction.

2. Have the Appropriate Number of Items for the Time Allotted.

On average, it takes about two minutes to sell an item. So, 15 items would take about a half hour, and 30 items would take about an hour. If we’ve allotted the "live" auction portion of your event from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., we would recommend having around 15 items.

3. Start the Auction Off with a Lower-Priced “Fun” Item(s).

The first two or three items should be ones that could have easily sold in the silent auction. We can sell these items quickly and start with very low starting bids. This allows everyone to participate right from the start and sets the pace for the rest of the auction.

4. Prepare a PowerPoint Presentation.

If many of your items are intangibles (trips, chef-prepared meals, etc.), we recommend preparing a PowerPoint presentation for the audience to follow along. We can always pull non-royalty photos from the "Images" section of Google. Just ensure the photo is a decent size to avoid blurriness when enlarged on a screen. Typically, a file size of 75k or larger will show up clearly. You can loop the PowerPoint during the silent auction so attendees can view the items before the live auction begins. The PowerPoint also becomes a focal point for your audience during the live auction. Additionally, we can feature sponsors in the presentation for extra recognition.

5. Get Bid Cards with Big Numbers.

Sometimes clients tell us they plan to write numbers on the back of the catalog, but after the first 50 numbers, the handwriting becomes sloppy and difficult to read, even from a distance. We offer free bid cards with large, easy-to-read numbers. This saves time and keeps the auction moving quickly. Every minute counts during your event, so minimizing wasted time is essential.

6. The P.A. (Public Address) System Needs to Be a Professional Sound System.

It is vital that the sound system is adequate for the room and the number of attendees. We’ve seen auctions fail due to poor sound systems. When someone says, “We’ll use the house system,” we cringe. A podium microphone may be fine for a small audience but doesn’t work well for a live auction with a large crowd. It’s essential to invest in a quality sound system to ensure your auctioneer and speakers are heard and understood by everyone in the room.

7. The Lighting Needs to Be Bright.

Just like you wouldn’t want to walk into a dark retail store, your auction needs bright lighting. It creates energy! When the lighting is bright, it boosts the audience's energy and, in turn, the revenue. Dim lights are great for restaurants, but bright lighting is key to keeping things lively during your auction.

8. Don’t Use a Spotlight During the Live Auction.

While spotlights are effective for introducing a speaker, they should be turned off during the live auction. If left on, the auctioneer will be blinded and unable to see the full room. Spotlights can be used for speeches, but once the auction begins, it’s important to turn them off to allow the auctioneer to engage with the crowd.

9. Have a Podium Available for Your Speaker and Auctioneer.

A podium gives both the speaker and auctioneer a place to store their notes and stay organized. It also allows the auctioneer to place the catalog of items and creates a focal point for the audience. Without a podium, the auctioneer will struggle to handle the microphone, the clipboard, and the bids all at once. We also recommend placing the podium at ground level, not on a stage, so the auctioneer can better interact with the audience.

10. Don’t Interrupt the Live Auction with Announcing Winners of the Raffle.

We’ve attended many auctions where the auction is going well, the momentum is up, and then someone interrupts to announce the raffle winners. This drags on and kills the auction's momentum, as attendees are distracted for several minutes. The auctioneer may struggle to regain the crowd's attention. Remember, every minute counts in your live auction. Interruptions can cost you valuable time and revenue.