Airport thoughts · Auctioneer Skool: 101 to Pro

Airport thoughts

Traveling and wanted to catch everyone up on my adventures. How's your Auction season going? Share wins with us and use hash tag #auctioneerwin

It’s been almost 10 days filled with auctions and adventures. Leaving last Friday for Phoenix for the next week and a half with 5 events on the west coast and some time with my two sons on their spring break. (We went to Sedona for a day and enjoyed the lake with some paddle boards another).

All 5 events blew it out of the water! When I look back at the events and dollars raised, it’s amazing to think of the impact these dollars are going to make and the donors being able to be a part of that social change. Helped these 5 different organizations from a private school, a AIDS Support organization, an arts for youth organization, an educational supplies for students in developing countries and an organization that helps children be safe and supported. I look at these events as they bring community together. The biggest measure the I use is the amount of people that stay after the fundraising and program ends. It was a good event when people want to stay in the energy and celebration after accomplishing something amazing!

I had to use a few techniques that we discuss here all the time to stay as healthy and in top performance form. Proper protein intake, hydration, exercise, lots of sleep and stress management tools (meditation, yoga, etc.) Making sure day of I put some time aside to review my notes in full and prepare my unique scripting/outlining. I don’t write a script word for word, but create bullets and talking points to remind me as the auction and paddle raise go on. I always try to take a quick nap 90 minutes before I have to arrive. Just a short 25 minute power nap with a confidence meditation playing on my phone, I wake up recharged and refreshed, ready to rock and roll! Arriving at the venue early for tech and mic check, confirm info with client and get all cameras, etc. set up. Then mingling once doors open, looking for name tags that represent board members. Always good to connect with the board members and get them on your side. Once program begins it’s game time, focused on scripting and statements, live auction items and paddle raise talking points. Proper vocal and body warm ups. Then it’s showtime!

As the auction begins I make sure to create a positive introduction of myself as a friend of the organization and we are going to have some fun. Always trying to find a chance to do the “Family Photo” (The one where everyone raises their paddle for that photo) This gets them ready to spend and have fun with their paddles. Making sure that I have my auction descriptions dialed, I make sure to tell a short story about the item and then reiterate the main points. Then it’s auction time! I usually start everything at a thousand and go up from there. There wasn’t a time that I sold anything under $1000, $1200 though:). Having fun, chanting and interacting with the audience, sharing that enthusiasm and energy with the audience. We had a few consignment items that we were able to sell multiple times, some other donated items that we were able to sell multiple times. I had to make sure I brought my tone down a few times with a quick “bing bong, King Kong, ding dong” during my chant. Also noticed I was getting out of breath a few times and made sure to reset my breathing with a solid belly breath. Now it was time to transfer the energy toward the paddle raise. Having a transitional remark memorized makes this super smooth.

Nailing the fund a need is something I take pride in. I do script some specific words about the organization but then have my fund a need pitch wired down pat. Having that confidence and ability to connect with the audience as you make that pitch is so important that you can’t be looking at your notes. Making eye contact with the audience is key. You have to have that presecured gift to kick off the fun. I did get lucky a few times “Fishing” above the lead gift. One donor even yelled out a match! Working through numbers with rhythm, intention and acknowledgement. It’s good to keep a consistent rhythm for the auction scribes to keep up. Lots of clapping, lots of engagement…you have to work with the audience but guide them towards the ultimate goal. One thing that I’m working on for the next set of events is an inspirational outro so people can get the feels one last time.

I do have to complement my 2 ringman, Dom and

@Sam Kapur

for being so awesome. Lots of energy and excitement. Giving the audience some energy and helping me to keep everything straight. True professionals and proud to have them on a team with me. I’m always open to having you Skoolers come out and work with me at an event. Maybe I’ll start posting upcoming events and see if anyone is interested in joining the team for a night. Any interest?

Now it’s about an hour before my flight home and I’m taking a moment to really revel in what had just happened. Lots of paddles raised, many bids taking and lives changed. I still wouldn’t change from this career…the best job ever! Fundraising Auctioneer…

Thank you all for being a part of this movement of creating better events that make bigger impact! Share some of your wins in the world and we can cheer each other on.

See you soon! Upcoming Q&A dates coming up soon! Stay tuned…

Until then…Keep being awesomely you!

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