Prepare correctly, though, wrapped in solid education, networking, and a
passion to help those who have funding needs, and an auction
professional can find great reward in adding benefit auctions to their
repertoire.
“It isn’t just getting the agreement to show up, get handed the script,
sell, [get a] check, go home,” says Bill Menish, CAI, AARE, BAS. “You’re
going to hit more failures doing it that way than if you spend the time
to learn what works and become a teacher, a mentor, and, more
importantly, a motivator for your clients. They will build a bond with
you that will last for many years, and they will thank you every year as
you continue to take them to a new level.”
So, how or where does an auction professional start down the benefit auction road?
“The biggest answer here is BAS – the Benefit Auction Specialist course,” says Erin Doherty Ward, CAI, BAS. “It is fantastic.”
After that, Ward adds it is about doing some self-evaluating and
figuring out how and where your skill set and skill level fits into the
benefit auction environment.Keith McLane, BAS, believes someone new
should, as quickly as they can, find a benefit auction friend and team
up.
“The number one thing you have to do is partner with somebody,” McLane
says. “With all due respect to these folks who do courses on how to
start your own auction business, I think that’s a total mistake.
“Find out who the busy Auctioneers are in your town. Call them up and
say, ‘hey, I’m a brand new benefit Auctioneer.’ I guarantee on their
busy nights, they have smaller events they would love to give you to get
started.
“I think working for somebody else is the best way to [get started].”
Bobby D. Ehlert, CAI, AMM, BAS, says regardless of motivation or
experience, if an auction professional has a passion for helping change
the world in some way, then the rest is details.
“As Auctioneers, whether you are a full-time benefit Auctioneer, or an
Auctioneer with some benefit auction experience, you can help make that
change in one aspect. Whether you are partnering or you’re going to get
the education, you’re going to be able to increase the fundraising at
whatever event you’re going to be able to help at.
“If we all did that, and helped our clients raise their fundraising by 10 percent …”
It’s easy to think of the difference that percentage would make or mean
in a community, for a client, and for someone’s benefit auction
business.
This article was an excerpt from a presentation given at the 2017 NAA
International Auctioneers Conference and Show. Want even more tips on
diversity or hear more regarding this topic? Full audio of the
presentation will be available in the NAA
Knowledge Center.