Select for the stage.
A live lot needs a clear appeal that can be understood quickly. Consider the guest profile, the time available, and whether the experience can be described without a long list of qualifications. A small, considered selection gives each lot room to breathe.
We’ll discuss which packages may suit your live auction and confirm the selection and terms before your auctioneer takes the stage.
Give your auctioneer the facts.
Prepare a concise lot brief with the inclusions, exclusions, minimum bid, redemption process, and approved photographs. Share it early enough for questions. A compelling introduction must never replace a clear statement of the package’s conditions.
If you already have an auctioneer, tell us when you inquire so we can discuss the item information and coordination they need. Your proposal sets out the support included; any separate auctioneer services are confirmed with you.
Plan the moment after the applause.
A winning bid still needs a recorded buyer, payment, and a reliable handover. Identify the person who will capture the sale and the team responsible for checkout. If you want to offer an experience to more than one bidder, obtain explicit package approval first.
The lot brief your auctioneer needs.
A live auction moves quickly. Give the auctioneer one approved brief per lot so the story, the offer, and the limits remain consistent on stage and at checkout.
| Part of the brief | What belongs in it |
|---|---|
| The opening story | Why this experience or piece may appeal to this audience, expressed without unverified claims of exclusivity. |
| The actual purchase | Number of people, included elements, relevant dates, location, and the exact item where applicable. |
| Conditions to announce | Important restrictions, exclusions, redemption requirements, and any additional winner costs. |
| Authority to sell | Minimum, approved sale count, repeat-sale permission if any, and who can answer a last-minute question. |
| The handover | Lot number, winning bidder identification, payment owner, and fulfillment contact. |
Give a few strong lots enough room.
A live program asks guests to turn their attention toward the stage. Each lot needs a clear introduction, time for participation, and a clean transition. Review the number of lots with your auctioneer alongside dinner service, awards, entertainment, and any direct appeal. An impressive catalog is not automatically a workable stage program.
Choose lots with different reasons to participate. An experience for a small group and a physical collectible can engage different interests, provided each suits the audience. Keep the mission connection present, but describe the purchase honestly: a bidder should not have to discover a material restriction after the applause.
Rehearse the sale before the room fills.
A short rehearsal should include the auctioneer, event lead, person recording bids, and checkout lead. Walk through a normal sale and one exception.
- Confirm how the winning bidder will be identified and how the final amount is recorded.
- Check that slide images, catalog descriptions, and the auctioneer’s brief describe the same offer.
- Agree how a question from the room reaches the person authorized to answer.
- Decide what happens if the minimum is not reached; do not improvise a lower reserve.
- Practice the handoff if an approved second sale is offered to another bidder.
Coordinate with the auctioneer you already trust.
Tell us who is leading your live auction and when they need item information. OFG’s role can include discussing suitable packages and their terms; your event proposal defines the coordination and support included. Auctioneer hiring or performance is a separate matter to confirm.
Your auctioneer knows the pacing and language that work for the room. Our package information should give that performance a reliable foundation, with clear conditions and a dependable next step for the winner.
A clear plan starts with a conversation.
Tell us about your guests, your event, and the responsibilities you would like help with.
Discuss live auction packages