People always imagine that the only requirement of a good auctioneer is being able to talk very quickly. There’s actually a lot more that goes into being a good auctioneer in Maryland. We should know, because we employ some of the best auctioneers in the business.
So, what does make a good auctioneer? Auctioneering requires knowledge of the items to be sold as well as experience facilitating and managing a crowd. In fact, many people who set out to become auctioneers often don’t make it because they find it to be more challenging than they expected. However, there are actually only three main skills that an individual needs to master to build a foundation for becoming a good auctioneer.
Be prepared
It’s the job of an auctioneer to get the best possible outcome for their client, which means that there has to be a plan for how the auction will go. You need to have price expectations, estimate how many buyers you may have and know how many other staff you will need to assist with the auction. You should also take time to run through your strategy with your team ahead of time. While some auctions unfold quite naturally, as a facilitator you need to be prepared to guide the process when necessary.
Maintain control
An auctioneer is on a stage, just like any other actor or performer. They need to be able to capture their audience and guide the proceedings. An auctioneer does this by maintaining control and by maintaining an image that they are there to help the buyer. Despite some common beliefs and stereotypes about auctioneers, a good auctioneer actually avoids talking too fast, because it is easy to look nervous or stumble over words if you are speaking too quickly. Finally, a good auctioneer plans a “speech” ahead of time, so they know what they want to say about a particular item and how they want to guide the bidding. As long as the auctioneer maintains control and commands the attention of the audience, he can facilitate the best possible outcome for his client.
Add quickly
Adding is one of the more technical skills of an auctioneer, but is just as important as the first two basic skills we mentioned above. An auctioneer needs to be able to add and do it quickly—otherwise, a bidding war can quickly unravel and the auctioneer will lose control of the proceedings. An auctioneer doesn’t need to be an expert mathematician, but he should be able to add on his feet.
If you are looking for an auctioneer in Maryland, be on the lookout for these three qualities. While there are many components that go into becoming a great auctioneer, these skills are the basics that every auctioneer should have. If you would like to know more about Jane Campbell-Chambliss & Associates, LLC and the auctioneer services we offer through our firm, simply give us a call and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.