So you’re hosting an auction with Bloomerang Fundraising (formerly Qgiv by Bloomerang). Whether your event is in-person, virtual, or hybrid, this guide will direct you to the most important resources to get you started.
We’ve organized this guide into sections about setting up, managing, and wrapping up your auction. At the end of the article, you’ll also find supplemental resources for auction tips and best practices. Click the links in each section for more information, including instructional videos. Still need to add the auction package? Check out this article to learn how.
Getting Started
Top 5 Tips for Auction Success – Before you start setting up your auction, we recommend you check out our quick Top Tips article and video. This article includes a downloadable checklist that you can keep on-hand as you’re planning.
Bloomerang Mobile Card Readers – Taking payments on site at your event is so much easier with mobile card readers. This article describes the card readers available for purchase.
Live Support – We have both remote and on-site support available for events. Check out this article to learn more.
Cloning an Auction – If you need to create a new auction form, you can create one from scratch or clone an existing form.
Setting Up Your Auction
Auction Settings – The Auction Settings area of your control panel is your first stop when creating an awesome auction. This article will tell you what you need to know about the available settings.
Auction Packages – When you’ve created an auction and finalized its settings, it’s important to create registration packages. Packages create the ticketing options for your event. Without them, attendees can’t register or bid on items.
Auction Items – Of course, you can’t have an auction without items. The next three linked articles will teach you how to add items to your auction in Bloomerang Fundraising.
Item Categories – The items available for your event can fall into one of three categories: auction items, store items, and fund-a-need donation items. Categories also control your auction's bidding dates and times.
Adding and Managing Items – In the Items area, you'll create your items and determine their starting bids, sale price, and more.
Item Import – To import items to your auction in bulk, you can use our quick and easy item import tool.
Auction Event Builder – Your auction also has its own website, which you’ll customize using the Auction Event Builder. With the Event Builder, you don’t need to be a web designer to create a beautiful auction site.
Table Management – You can create tables and assign auction attendees to seats using the Table Management tool.
Managing Your Auction
Attendee Check-In and Management – Use the Virtual Terminal to check in attendees, resend ticket confirmations, update payment methods, and more.
Tools for Auction Volunteers – Share this video with volunteers to walk them through the major auction tasks in the Virtual Terminal.
After Your Auction
Auction Has Ended Checklist – This checklist will walk you through how to close out your auction and, most importantly, how to process payment for all your winning bids.
Print Checkout Summaries by Bidder – Give volunteers a per-bidder list of won and purchased items so they can collect and stage items before checkout, which helps checkout go faster.
Auction Checkout – Make sure you process your winning bids using the Virtual Terminal.
Supplemental Resources
Auction Registration Form Best Practices – Make sure your registration form is simple for attendees with this handy guide.
Auction Management: Managing Your Items – In this blog post, learn how to acquire, secure, stage, and distribute auction items.
50 Silent Auction Basket Ideas to Bring In the Big Bids – Need some auction item inspiration? Tiara has you covered.