| This may seem like a given, but not all benefit | | | | He learns as much as he can about the history and |
| auctioneers are born salesman. As the saying goes, a | | | | donor of the item. An expert benefit auctioneer |
| great salesman can sell ice cubes to an Eskimo and | | | | promotes every feature of that item and uses |
| make them feel glad they bought it. The successful | | | | creativity to increase its value. He understands that a |
| benefit and charity auctioneer works very hard and | | | | donated item may seem to hold great value to some |
| tries every strategy to get the most revenue for | | | | while appearing worthless to another. |
| your nonprofit organization. | | | | To be an effective salesman, a benefit auctioneer |
| An experienced auctioneer understands the | | | | must also be exciting and fun. Harry F. Bank said, "A |
| psychology of the live auction. He will mingle with the | | | | salesman minus enthusiasm is just a clerk." The |
| guests before the auction to get to know them and | | | | benefit to having a live auction is that it creates more |
| to find out what type of buyers they might be. He | | | | excitement and entertainment for the buyers. The |
| also knows that they will be more likely to buy from | | | | auctioneer that gets the best results is an energized |
| him if they know him. A live benefit auction is | | | | salesman. |
| emotional and involves crowd-psychology. A | | | | The professional benefit auctioneer uses his honesty |
| successful benefit auctioneer will be clever at reading | | | | and integrity to his advantage. He knows that he is |
| people and will use empathy, putting himself in the | | | | more likely to get buyers when the crowd trusts him. |
| guests' shoes. It is imperative that he draws on | | | | A recent study by Harris Interactive determined that |
| these skills throughout his sale - from determining the | | | | 92% of auction attendees have a favorable |
| starting bid of the item, to knowing when to call the | | | | impression of auctioneers. At the end of your benefit |
| item "sold". | | | | event, your auctioneer wants to see happy buyers |
| With his past experience, the benefit auctioneer | | | | leaving the auction. His profession depends on |
| usually can recognize what items are worth on sight. | | | | satisfied benefit and charity event guests. |
| If he is not familiar with an item, he will investigate. | | | | |