Fundraise - Events - Guide to Auction Events, Step 2 - Solicit Items

Solicit Items
Once you’ve made an overall game plan, it’s time to start rounding up things to sell.
Make a Solicitation Kit
To make it as easy as possible for donors to say "yes," create a solicitation kit that answers potential questions and helps donors understand the event.
This kit will serve as the basis for all other solicitation and marketing materials. It should include:
The event name and theme
A short paragraph about the auction event and your organization’s mission
Name of your organization or program that will benefit
Start and end dates of the auction event
URL where you’ll be sending bidders (it could be your home page, your eBay About Me Page or About My Nonprofit page).
Your fundraising goal (in dollars and items to sell)
The types of items you would like to be donated
How donors can get their items to you or if you will offer pick-up
Time to break out the Rolodex
Think about who you know. Of course "stuff" sells well on eBay—but so do unique experiences: shop with a supermodel; tour the town with the mayor; lunch with a CEO. Big names tend to generate more interest and bigger donations, so consider high wattage partners and friends of your organization—they may have a one-of-a-kind experience to offer.
Are you tight with any corporate donors? Let them know they can donate older merchandise and overstock for you to sell—or better yet, ask them to list the items with eBay Giving Works to benefit your organization.
Track your donations
As your donated items come in, track them in a detailed list or spreadsheet. This will help you keep up with everything and will make writing descriptions much easier. Things to record include:
Who gave it? (Name, company and anything else important)
How to reach them? (Phone, email, etc. in case you have questions or want to keep them posted on your events progress)
When did they give it? (Date)
What is it? (Short title and description)
What’s it worth? (Dollar amount)
What special details are important for a buyer to know? Tell a story about the item that will connect with buyers and bring the item to life (Is it a brand-name? A one of a kind? If it has a pre-written description from the donor, even better!)

Guide to Auction Events, Step 2

Solicit Items

Make a Solicitation Kit

Time to break out the Rolodex

Track your donations

Learn More

Guide to Holding Auction Events

Follow eBay Giving Works