In this new, “virtual” era of live event fundraising, we have had to take another look at the role of the professional bid spotter and auctioneer assistant. With new challenges and changes to our landscape as professional fundraisers, we need to focus on and see just how our support services can still positively affect the outcome of our fundraising events. Do we still need a bid spotter in a virtual setting? Can volunteers fill this role? What does the bid spotter or auction assistant do in this new normal?
Keeping It Smooth
Let’s take a moment and explore the benefits of having a professional bid spotter and auction assistant. The most obvious benefit during the live auction is their main function: they assist the auctioneer in spotting bids and can help convince a bidder to raise that card one more time. In live events, the bid spotter can help the auctioneer zero in on willing donors and help negotiate when selling a multi-winner item. They also help with much of the background work, lights dimming on time, announcements, helping the speakers get to stage on time and so much more. If auctioneers and event planners are the gears, the auction assistant is the grease that keeps it all running smooth!
All this holds true for online and hybrid online events as well. While the assistant may not be running through the crowd, they can still interact with, respond to and assist the auctioneer and donors. They can rally the small audience at a virtual event to applaud and get loud at the right moments. Well-timed live crowd reactions, even if you only have a few people, help drive a sense of community and participation as well as give your host a much-needed boost of energy.
Another way that a professional auction assistant can be an invaluable member of the team is by acting as the “driver” for the auctioneer during a livestream event. The driver does everything from manage the bidding platform software to typing as the auctioneer in chat, to being an extra set of eyes watching for possible hiccups during the broadcast. With all of the many things that can wrong during a live virtual event, knowing there is a reliable, knowledgeable, helpful person there can be a huge relief before you even get started.
The Pros Know
While you could use volunteers as bid spotters, we have seen time and time again how our seasoned professional auction assistants are able to identify problems before they start and consistently pay for themselves. Our professionals know when to apply a little fun pressure and when they need to back off and let the donor do their thing! The auction assistant also understands the nuance of timing and reactions for your hybrid and virtual events as well. You always have the option of using volunteers in this capacity, but we haven’t been convinced that they outperform professional bid spotters. The last thing we want is for your organization to leave money on the table.
Volunteers are wonderful, and they bring a great energy to your event. We think there are a number of fun and fantastic ways to let them help, though we can’t overstate how important we think a professional auction assistant and bid spotter is.
Work Smart for Hard Work
Fundraising events are full of fun and excitement and you as the planner deserve to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. By utilizing a professional bid spotter, you spread the load with someone that is looking to take weight off your shoulders. Here at Bliss, we believe in the auction assistant so much that we incorporate the price of an assistant into the quote. For us, not having an assistant is like a carpenter not having their hammer, or a surgeon not having a nurse.
