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Make silent auction lots people want to bid on
Turn a list of donated prizes into tempting lot descriptions, sensible starting bids and printable bid sheets for your auction night.
When to use it
A couple of weeks before a fundraising event
Step by step
List the donated lots
In a Google Sheet, note each prize, who donated it, its stated value, any conditions such as expiry dates, and whether you have a photo.
Write descriptions and starting bids
Paste the list into your AI assistant with this prompt.
Prompt to copyHere are donated lots for our silent auction at [event] raising money for [cause]: [paste list with stated values and conditions]. For each lot write: a catchy lot title under 8 words, a 40-word description that makes it sound appealing and honest, a line thanking the donor, conditions in plain words, and a suggested starting bid and minimum bid increase. Base starting bids on roughly a third to a half of the stated value, rounded to friendly numbers, and explain any you'd set differently. Output as a table I can paste into a spreadsheet.Design the bid sheets
Use a Canva template for bid sheets and add each lot's title, description, starting bid and rows for name, table number and bid. Avoid asking for more personal details than you need.
Make a lot catalogue
Ask the AI to turn the table into a one-page catalogue to put on tables or share by email before the night.
What you get
Lot 7: A Seaside Weekend for Two. Two nights in a cosy harbour-view cottage, perfect for a quiet escape. Thanks to Harbour Lane Cottages. Valid until Oct, excludes school holidays. Start: £120. Raise by: £10.
Tips
- Check with donors that the description and conditions are right before printing.
- Collect winners' contact details on a separate sheet at payment, not on the public bid sheet.