Easily run a Live Auction during your next in-person event.
RallyUp makes it easy to run Live Auctions during your next gala or other in-person event. Spotlight Auction items, enter bids in real time, and display a live bidding feed to boost excitement and funds raised.
How do Live Auctions work?
- Use the Live Auction Management page to spotlight a specific Auction item:
- Guests will see the spotlighted item on the Live Display, which you can project onto monitors or screens throughout your venue:
- Guests raise their paddles to bid. Use the Live Auction Management page to enter each bid amount:
The winning bid will be added to the winner’s Event Balance.
- Charge all winners individually or all at once, whenever you like. You can do so during the Live Auction, when the Live Auction ends, when the event ends, or anytime you want.
What should I do before starting my Live Auction?
- We recommend adding all Auction items to your Campaign Page before your event begins. You can add items during your event and even while the Live Auction is running if needed, but this may cause confusion and delays for staff and guests.
- If you’re running a Live Auction and Silent Auction in the same event, you can add your Live Auction items and Silent Auction items separately.
- We suggest printing or writing each attendee’s Guest Number on their paddle, so spotters can easily enter their bid if they win. Alternatively, you can print out badges for each guest with their name and Guest Number on them to raise during the Live Auction.
- By default, Live Auctions are visible on your Campaign Page while the Auction is live:
If you want to hide your Auction from the Campaign Page, you can do so from your Live Auction settings.
How do I add a Live Auction to my Campaign?
- Go to Account Navigation in the left menu and select Campaigns.
- If you have chosen a list view, click on the Campaign title. If you have chosen a grid view, click on the Campaign image.
- Select Campaign Setup.
- Go to Getting Started in the timeline at the top.
- Scroll down to Select all components you want to include in your Campaign and click on the toggle next to Live Auction:
- Select Save.
How do I add items to my Live Auction?
- Go to Account Navigation in the left menu and select Campaigns.
- If you have chosen a list view, click on the Campaign title. If you have chosen a grid view, click on the Campaign image.
- Select Campaign Setup.
- Go to Live Auction in the timeline at the top.
- Scroll down to Add auction items and select Create an item:
Note: If you’re running a Live Auction and Silent Auction in the same Campaign, you will add your Live Auction and Silent Auction items separately. Scroll down to Add Live & Silent Auction items, select Live Auction Items, then select Create a Live Auction item:
- Add your Live Auction item details, including an image, title, description, and more:
- Select Save.
How do I run a Live Auction?
- Go to Account Navigation in the left menu and select Campaigns.
- If you have chosen a list view, click on the Campaign title. If you have chosen a grid view, click on the Campaign image.
- Go to Event Management Quick Links and select Live Auction:
- Select the Auction item you want to spotlight:
- To submit bids on guests’ behalf, enter their donor number in the text box and select Enter bid:
- To end the bidding for the item without declaring a winner, select Change item on the left:
To end the bidding for the current item and declare a winner, select End Live Auction:
Once you’ve ended the bidding for that item, you can select a new one and start the bidding again.
How are winning bids charged at a Live Auction?
Winning bids are automatically added to the winner’s Event Balance. You have complete flexibility to charge winners individually or all at once—during the Live Auction, when it ends, when your event concludes, or at any time you prefer.
How can I change my Live Auction settings?
You can access your Live Auction settings by clicking on the three-dot menu on the top right corner of the screen:
This allows you to:
- Add a fundraising goal. A fundraising thermometer will appear on your Live Display to show how close you are to achieving this goal.
- Allocate winning bids to designated Fund options. You can select a Fund anytime during your Live Auction, and winning bids will automatically be allocated to that Fund while it’s selected: How-to: Create Donation Designation Options Using the Fund Feature.
- Hide the Live Auction from your Campaign Page so only in-person attendees can participate.
Can virtual guests participate in my Live Auction?
By default, Live Auctions are visible on your Campaign Page, allowing virtual guests to participate alongside in-person attendees. If you want to restrict participation to only in-person guests, you can hide the Live Auction from your Campaign Page through your Live Auction settings.
How do I manage Silent Auction items alongside a Live Auction?
If you’re running both a Live Auction and a Silent Auction in the same Campaign, your Silent Auction items are managed separately from your Live Auction items. Here are some tips for managing the silent auction side of a hybrid event:
Controlling item visibility
To remove a Silent Auction item from your Campaign Page, use the “Hide This Item” toggle. Hidden items will no longer appear on the Campaign Page for browsing donors. However, bidders who have the direct item link or who have already placed a bid on the item can still access it and place new bids. Hiding an item does not fully close bidding — it only removes the item from public view.
For more on item visibility, see: Troubleshoot: Why Aren’t My Auction Items Showing on the Campaign Page?
Pre-event QA checklist
- Verify all Silent Auction items display correctly on the Campaign Page (images, descriptions, starting bids)
- While your Campaign is still in Draft mode (before publishing/going live), place test bids on Silent Auction items to confirm the bidding process works as expected. All test bids placed in Draft mode are automatically deleted when the Campaign goes live.
- Confirm Live Auction items are set up separately and appear in the Live Auction Management page
- Test QR codes or unique links for in-person Silent Auction items to ensure they direct to correct item pages
- Review notification settings for winner and non-winner emails
- Preview the Campaign Page on mobile devices (most in-person bidders will use phones)
For QR codes for in-person Silent Auction items, see: How-to: Create QR Codes and Unique Links for Auction Item
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add Auction items during a Live Auction?
Yes, you can add Auction items during your event and even while the Live Auction is running. However, we recommend adding all items to your Campaign before the event begins to avoid confusion and delays for staff and guests.
How do spotters know which Guest Number to enter for bids?
We suggest printing or writing each attendee’s Guest Number on their paddle, or printing badges with names and Guest Numbers that guests can raise during bidding. This makes it easy for spotters to quickly enter bids on behalf of winners.
Can I set a fundraising goal for my Live Auction?
Yes, you can add a fundraising goal through your Live Auction settings. When you set a goal, a fundraising thermometer will appear on your Live Display showing real-time progress toward that goal.
Can I designate Live Auction proceeds to specific funds or programs?
Yes, you can select a Fund option at any time during your Live Auction. Once selected, all winning bids will automatically be allocated to that Fund until you change or remove the selection.
What is displayed on the Live Display during a Live Auction?
The Live Display shows the spotlighted Auction item, real-time bidding activity, your organization’s branding, a Scan-to-Give QR code, and optionally your fundraising thermometer and Text-to-Give information. This keeps guests engaged and encourages participation.
Is there another way to access the Live Auction Management page while my in-person event is live?
Yes, if your event is already live, you can access the Live Auction Management page from the Quick Admin Menu on the left side of your screen. Select the event in question from the dropdown menu, then select Live Auction under Event Quick Links:
Can I close bidding on individual Silent Auction items during a hybrid event?
There is no way to fully close bidding on a single item while the Auction is still running. You can use the “Hide This Item” toggle to remove it from the Campaign Page, but bidders who have the direct link or have already placed a bid can still access and bid on the item. To fully stop all bidding, the Auction itself must reach its scheduled end time.