Learning Center

• The best place to start is close to home. Reach out to your local community. You will find willing participants in the surrounding areas that are eager to support local organizations.
• If you have compiled a database of businesses and constituents that have supported your organization in the past, concentrate on these primary contacts.
• Have your volunteers call or visit other potential donors in the area to discuss the possibility of donating to your online auction.
• Consider obtaining lists and networking with similar organizations to expand your potential

Positioning Your Online Auction To Potential Donors

• Begin by introducing your organization and giving a brief overview of your mission and services.
• Explain why you are running an online auction and how the money raised will be used - and when applicable - how it will benefit the community.
• Touch upon former fundraising initiatives and provide details as to how the money was spent and the noticeable benefits of those efforts.

Donor Benefit from Contributing to Your Auction

• Donors can take advantage of the visibility and promotional value that comes from having an item in your cMarket auction.
• Donor names and company logos can be represented on the Item Details page and linked back to their website for the duration of the online auction - offering greater exposure than a live or silent auction.
• Email communications, weekly features and mentions on the online auction homepage can be used to draw attention to the products or services the donor contributes, and result in additional promotion.
• Bidders gravitate to donors. Philanthropic consumers tend to take interest in, and become patrons of contributing companies. Corporate donors are likely to obtain new business by supporting to your online auction.
• All donations are tax deductible

Items that Attract Bidders

• Discounted items and services that could appeal to the local community
• If you are running a "Theme" auction or event, suggest items that relate to premise of your fundraiser
• Item categories that produce the highest revenue include: Sports, Get-A-Ways, Travel, Entertainment/Leisure, Art, Music, Collectibles, Tickets, For the Home
• Item categories that generate a lot of competitive bidding include: Film & Television, Food, Dining
• General rule: the more desirable and rare the item is, the more revenue it will produce

Using cMarket to Assist with Item Acquisition

• Browse and purchase items from cMarket Place, our online consignment store filled with exclusive items at wholesale prices
• Employ cMarket's "Donate An Item" feature on your auction pages. Give your community the opportunity to donate online to assist with item solicitation and free up resources
• Use a "Donate An Item" - Quick Link on your organization's website to obtain items prior to your online auction's launch