Whether you’re planning an auction online in person or for a hybrid event, sticking to a theme is always a good idea. Although it’s not a requirement, a theme can support and guide the design of your event every step of the way.
At the end of the day, this key factor could help you stand out from other fundraisers and make your event a resounding success.
5 reasons to pick a theme
Here are, in no particular order, our 5 top reasons to plan your next auction to a specific theme:
1. Offer a complete thematic experience
First, you should know that choosing a theme is the best way to provide an immersive experience for everyone in attendance. In addition to being inviting, themed events tend to have additional well-chosen details that people will notice.
The theme could reflect the purpose of your fundraiser, or it could provide an original touch that will guide the design of the event. Either way, it will help you rally everyone around a common goal.
If all elements highlight your chosen theme, the ambiance created will be even more tangible. Set up various thematic reminders to delight the five senses. Invite participants to interact, reply, share, and collaborate. It’s the best way to create an unforgettable atmosphere that is so important to ensure you achieve your goal and your mission in general.
2. Create consistency
The great thing about using a theme is that you can find a way to incorporate it everywhere. The more you include it, the more consistent the experience will be, making it much easier to organize.
That’s right! Your theme will not only make your event organizer’s life easier, but it will also help them understand the target audience.
Here are a few elements that the theme could inspire:
- Event visuals and logo
- Invitations
- Social media posts
- Auctioned items
- Animation
- Auction website
- Decor
- Dress code
- Food and drinks
3. Make your event unforgettable
Let’s get nostalgic… What's the best party you’ve ever been to?
We’re willing to bet that you’ll say “my Hawaiian-themed office party” or “my cousin’s 70s-style birthday party”. This is how we remember our best nights: themes stand out, go straight to our hearts, and stay forever engraved in our memory.
If you make a big impression on your participants, rest assured they’ll come back for your future events and participate in all your auctions!
4. Reach your target audience
A non-specific event might seem generic and boring to some audiences.
These days, fundraisers are popping up everywhere, people are being solicited now more than ever, and you will need to find ways to ensure your audience has a fun time that makes it worth the trip (or the effort to log on 😉)!
The theme will encourage participation by defining your offer and boosting engagement. The more original your theme, the more attention you’ll get. It’s also a good idea to consider what you know about the interests of your target audience.
Think about the audience you want to reach and find a theme to engage them and capture their attention.
5. Make your publicist happy
As we said earlier, inspiration flows much more easily with a theme!
With a theme, advertisements will almost write themselves, whether they appear online or in traditional media, and will be much more original, too.
Having a theme will generate much more media interest, which is likely to promote greater participation in return!
And of course, more participation = more money raised for your cause.
Speaking of inspiration
Here are some fun theme ideas:
- Glamorous VIP evening
- Animal theme
- Back to childhood
- Carnival
- Tropical vacation
- Night at the opera
- Safari expedition
- Country/Western festival
- Culinary experience
- Video games
- Magic and illusions
It’s time to get started! Have you found your online auction theme?
With Followmybid, no matter your theme, you’ll have all the tools for a great digital auction. Design your custom auction in minutes and discover why hundreds of organizations and nonprofits already work with us. Contact us for more info!
