In part 9 of our mini series we focus on How to Win an Auctioneer Contest, Andy Imholte and Peter Gehres breakdown winning an auctioneer contest, and how to be prepared for that eventuality. With tips for you next competition as well as your business, there is something for everyone.

Know How to Win

1. Think about you speech
2. Think about promotion
3. Have your story developed
1. Have your message ready
4. Be generous

Competition Tips

1. Write your acceptance speech
1. Build the “right” mindset
2. Have a promotion plan in place and start executing on that plan even if you don’t win
3. Give and give often
1. Time and money
2. Advice and council

Business Tips

1. Learn how to accept praise, success should not surprise you
2. Promote your wins
1. Get your name out there with press releases when you accomplish great work in your business
3. Invest in your industry and your community
1. Auctioneers are very visual profession, you should also be seen giving back

Competition can sharpen our skills raise the quality of those who choose to participate. It is no different for auctioneers. For this episode we sit down with 2003 Women’s Division International Auctioneer Champion Kaija Kokesh. He shares his thoughts  on what it means to be a champion and how to stay calm in the storm of competition was key to his victory.

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The Fast Talking Podcast is a small business building podcast as seen through the lens of auctioneers and auction professionals. Focusing on social media, marketing strategies, finance, operations, human resources, and time management, we provide focused discussions on important topics weekly.

In part 8 of our mini series we focus on How to Win an Auctioneer Contest, Andy Imholte and Peter Gehres breakdown how to get the most out of losing an auctioneer contest. With tips for you next competition as well as your business, there is something for everyone.

Overview

1. Understand that how you lose this year will play a big part in how and if you win next year
2. Realize that this year's judging panel will not be next year's judging panel
3. Be part of the celebration, even if it hurts

BONUS TIP
Listen to the very best Auctioneer Competition Podcast

Competition Tips

1. Failure and losing is not the goal but it doesn’t mean that it’s a bad experience with no redeeming value
1. Use this year’s loss as motivation for next year’s greatness.
2. You are always on stage, win or lose eyes are on you
3. You ultimately hurt the credibility of the contest going forward by criticizing this year’s outcome

Business Tips

1. Sometimes the best ways to find areas of improvement is to have a spotlight show on your weaknesses.
1. When you don’t secure a contract you have to figure out why and fix it.
2. You may think you are only on stage when you are up conducting an auction, but you and your business are always on stage.
3. Bad mouthing another auctioneer brings us all down.

Understanding auction law is more than just having a license to practice. When it comes to a topic like jurisdiction of venue, knowing landmines to avoid could save your company time and money. In this episode Andy is joined by returning guest George Michak to discuss the simple steps that can make all the difference.

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Episode Link
Breaker Boys by David Fleming

Episode Sponsor
Global Auction Guide

In part 7 of our mini series we focus on How to Win an Auctioneer Contest, Andy Imholte and Peter Gehres breakdown the challenging interview portion of auctioneer contests. With tips for you next competition as well as your business, there is something for everyone.

Series Sponsors

Auction Flex

HiBid

Why is the Interview Important?

1. An interview is the height of extemporaneous and impromptu public speaking and is a skill be be practiced like any other aspect of the contest.
2. Have your talking points. Have them written down and practice them.
3. The skill set reveals the difference between and auctioneer and a pure bid caller.

Competition Tips

1. Develop extemporaneous skill set
1. Listen to the questions
2. Pause before answering completely
2. Practice with other competitors or in a Toastmaster type setting
3. Content: Pay attention to trends and topics of the industry and events

Business Tips

1. Engage in active listening in your business.
2. Practice with other business leaders in a Toastmaster type setting.
3. Recognize and explore trends.
1. Facebook ads are huge right now because of the insights they provide. Being aware is only the first step, actually implement and test to make yourself better.

Mailing promotional materials can be a costly enterprise, but there are ways to target a location for a more affordable approach. For this episode Andy welcomes his brother Michael on to the show to discuss the US Post Office’s own program, Every Door Direct Mail. Outlining the requirements they also take some time to weigh the pros and cons.

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The Fast Talking Podcast is a small business building podcast as seen through the lens of auctioneers and auction professionals. Focusing on social media, marketing strategies, finance, operations, human resources, and time management, we provide focused discussions on important topics weekly.

In part 6 of our mini series we focus on How to Win an Auctioneer Contest, Andy Imholte and Peter Gehres breakdown the type of work that needs to go into developing your bid calling skill for competition day. With tips for you next competition as well as your business, there is something for everyone.

How to Prepare

1. Practice schedule
2. Live practice
1. Microphone time
2. Focus on specific parts during your microphone time
3. Recording yourself both live and when practicing

Competition Tips

1. Build a sustainable chant that is legitimate and work to refine it, rather than a “contest chant”
2. Creating a space for practice
1. Create a physical space
2. Create time for meaningful practice
3. Your mindset for practice will be your mindset on competition day

Business Tips

1. Once you have your sales pitch and kit you’re not done
1. Every auction you do adds to your portfolio
2. Always refine your pitch and better your materials
2. Set yourself up for success
3. ABC (Always Be Closing)
1. When I am talking to someone I may be able to provide a solution for them

Series Sponsors:

Auction Flex & HiBid

Expertise is an excellent way to set yourself apart from your competition, but how do you develop said expertise and more importantly how do you promote it? In this episode Andy Imholte welcomes back Stephen Karbelk to tackle this topic and share tactics anyone can do when becoming an expert.

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Episode Sponsor

Global Auction Guide

The Fast Talking Podcast is a small business building podcast as seen through the lens of auctioneers and auction professionals. Focusing on social media, marketing strategies, finance, operations, human resources, and time management, we provide focused discussions on important topics weekly.

In part 5 of our mini series we focus on How to Win an Auctioneer Contest, Andy Imholte and Peter Gehres breakdown the first critical stage in auctioneer contests, introductions and interludes. With tips for you next competition as well as your business, there is something for everyone.

Introductions and Interludes

1. Introduction are critical to success
• You can’t win a contest in the first 10 seconds, but you can lose it.
2. The description of items or lots is your first opportunity to showcase your talent as a salesperson and auction profesional
• Sell on benefits, not features and advantages
3. Intrudes are that space between selling and bid calling
• It’s not going to win a contest but carelessness may cause issues
• Loose lips sink ships

Competition Tips

1. Rehearse your introduction  
2. Pay special attention to your body language
• Purposeful movement
• Interpersonal Communications for Auction Professionals
3. Be natural, be yourself, be your best self

Business Tips

1. Know your elevator speech
2. Dress/act for the business you want not the business you’ve got
3. Calm yourself down and be confident, be natural.