It’s 2023 and time to upgrade your donors’ bidding experience! In the past, event coordinators used paper bid sheets for each item. But as mobile bidding apps continue to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, the team at Handbid discuss a variety of reasons paper actually decreases revenue at auction events. While mobile bidding allows for real-time updates on items, establishes fairness and anonymity, and provides scalable data from each event, some people still need convincing that paper bid sheets are a thing of the past.
Physical bid sheets limit the window of time attendees have to bid on items since they have to be present in order to participate. Once someone bids on an item, they must continue checking the sheet to ensure their bid is still the highest. Including remote bidders opens up opportunities for greater participation, which leads to an increase in donations. Using bid sheets also allows room for error, whether it’s because of cheating, bidder intimidation, poor handwriting or miscommunication. One of the most important aspects of the event is making sure bidders enjoy their experience. Using paper bid sheets can create conflict and confusion that ultimately impact charitable organizations in negative ways. Making the switch to a mobile bidding system frees hosts and guests to enjoy socializing while staying connected to the auction. Overall, more money is raised for the organization, attendees enjoy themselves, and human error is eliminated when it comes time to close the auction.
Main Topics
- What is a paper bid sheet? (05:05)
- Paper creates higher bid increments (09:00)
- Limited windows for bidding (13:40)
- Inviting remote bidders to your auction (17:45)
- Cheating and stealing at auctions (21:30)
- Bid intimidation impacts charities’ revenue (28:00)
- Poor handwriting creates confusion (29:35)
- Bidders can change the bid increment (30:40)
- Paper bid sheets negatively affect donor experience (31:30)
- Performance data is inaccessible (36:00)
- Keeping the auction personal (38:30)
- Mobile bidding increases revenue (42:15)
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