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.

With the success of programs like Antiques Roadshow, many people think they own valuable collections or items. However, interest does not always mean value. To dig into the topic of appraisals Andy welcomes Megan Mahn Miller, property specialist with Julien's Auctions to discuss her experience valuing items that could be considered priceless.

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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 4 of our mini series we focus on How to Win an Auctioneer Contest, Andy Imholte and Peter Gehres turn the mirror on themselves and focus on honest self-assessment. With tips for you next competition as well as your business, there is something for everyone.

Honest Self-assessment

1. Strengths
2. Weaknesses
3. Ask judges
1. Not immediately at the end of the contest
2. Follow up in the days and weeks following one-on-one
4. Write down specific areas for improvement

Tips for Success

1. Analyzed your skills, looking for areas of improvement
2. Analyzed your network, where can it help you?
1. Find others who are strong in areas you are weak and weak where you are strong
3. Build relationships based on eliminating weakness

Business Tips

1. Analyze your business
1. Specializing
2. Getting additional information/designations
2. Analyze your network
1. Find leaders outside your community that are willing to share their expertise
3. Relationships
1. Mentorship
2. Mastermind groups
3. Accountability partners

For years the skies have been the realm of licensed pilots, but recently a major shift has taken place. With the recent addition of financially viable drone flight, many hobbyists and entrepreneurs are filling up the air space. In this episode Andy sits down with Scott Musser, a licensed pilot/auctioneer/drone owner to discuss the issues auctions professionals need to consider.

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Episode Links
FAA Form 333

Today’s 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 3 of our mini series we focus on How to Win an Auctioneer Contest, Andy and Peter focus on the inner workings of auctioneer contests. With tips for you next competition as well as your business, there is something for everyone.

Knowing the Contest

1. What is Expected of the Champion?
2. Knowing the elements of the contest?
1. Start Time?
2. Preliminary?
3. Interview?
4. Finals?
3. What is the Hosting Organization looking for in a Champion?

CONTROL YOUR UNIVERSE

Competition Tips

1. Know and reach out to Past Champions
2. Deadlines, Rules, Interviews add Calendar Reminders
3. Control what You Can, Dress, Items, etc.

Business Tips

1. Understanding the Rules/Laws Regarding Your Specialties
2. Value of Professional Associations
3. Surrounding Yourself with Successful Leaders and Experts
1. You are the Average of Your Five Closest Friends
2. You are Not an Island

Real estate investment can be an intimidating topic, but not when you make small educated risks. For this episode Andy sits down with Whitney Nicely, a young woman who has taken her knowledge as an auctioneer to make some wise investments that are returning excellent dividends.

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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.

Why are contests important

1. Defines an industry standard
2. Highlight the best of the best
3. Networking
4. A form of marketing 

How to get the most out of competing

1. Build your network during a contest
   1. Bring business cards
   2. Shake hands/introduce yourself
2. Marketing yourself
   1. Share your skills with others
   2. Tell your local market that you competed
3. Study the contest

Business tips that can be learned from contests

1. Engaging your ideal clients before you NEED their business
2. As an auctioneer/sales person you are always being judged (in the spotlight)
   1. You are always in the spotlight
   2. Who you are = Your brand
3. Be a student of your specialty

Episode Sponsor
Auction Flex & HiBi

Knowing the elements that define your ideal customer is a challenge, especially when you are selling a new asset class. In an effort to demystify the tool Facebook has put into place to help in situations like this, John Schultz returns for a conversation with Andy on the exciting world of Facebook Pixels and how remarketing can excel your company’s profits!

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Today’s 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.

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 2005 Men’s Division International Auctioneer Champion Cary Aasness. 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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Today’s 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.

Why Bid Calling is Important?

1. Excitement/Energy
2. Interactive Commerce
3. Performance Art

Bid Calling Appreciation Tips

1. Attend Auctions
• Upmarket auctions
• Competitor’s auctions
2. Attend a high profile live auction events
3. The importance of the final moment before saying SOLD

Business Tips

1. Your website is very important
• Review competitor websites
• Review websites from other industries
• No website is an island
2. Identifying 3 items you can change - focus is key
3. Auctioneering is best defined by the last 30 seconds

Episode Sponsor
Auction Flex & HiBid

Understanding auction law is more than just having a license to practice. When it comes to a topic like absolute auctions, knowing landmines to avoid could save your company many hassels. In this episode Andy is joined by returning guest Mike Brandly to discuss the in’s and out’s of an absolute auction and finding success with this auction type.

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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.

For over 2 years the Fast Talking Podcast has provided great education for auction professionals so why not look back at the top 10 episodes! For this milestone, Andy goes back into the archive to share some insights and lessons regarding his personal top 10 episodes. Stay tuned to the end for a special preview of a new project rolling out soon.

Andy’s Top 10

Honorary Mention: Episode 47 - Family board game night
Honorary Mention: Episodes 54, 68, 77, 86, & 94 - Chat with Champions
#10: Episode 37 - Net Neutrality
#9: Episode 92 - Time to GoPro
#8: Episodes 11 & 12 - Benefit Auctions
#7: Episode 87 - Top 5 Reasons Auctioneers Get Sued
#6: Episode 59 - 2015 World Automobile Auctioneer Championship
#5: Episode 69 - Power of Paid Traffic
#4: Episode 64 - 5 Keys to a Great Voice
#3: Episode 93 - Auction Law: Buyer’s Premium
#2: Episode 51 - Knowing Your Numbers: Facebook Insights
#1: Episode 56 - How to Win an Auctioneer Contest

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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.

Securing a big deal, the kind that can dramatically impact your bottom line, is an incredible feeling, but how do you hunt down these deals? To discuss this thrilling topic, Andy is joined by Stephen Karbelk in this high stakes/high reward episode.

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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.

Every auction professional has taken time to consider online auctions, but when is the right time to take the leap? This episode Andy is joined by returning guest John John Genovese to discuss how he justified the transition from live to online only auctions and a few lessons he learned along the way.

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Today’s 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.

With the popularity of shows like Serial and This American Life, a major podcast renaissance is happening right now. But why is it happening and how can you benefit? For this episode, Andy sits down with John Lee Dumas, host of the blockbuster business podcast, Entrepreneur on Fire, to breakdown why podcasts are so popular and what you need to get started.

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Today’s Sponsors
Global Auction Guide

Episode Links
Entrepreneur on Fire
Free Podcasting Course
Model House Show by Shawn Stevenson
The Freedom Journal

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.

Every year as time winds down small business owners have to consider some strategic financial planning. Knowing your way around capital spending, deductions and retirement planning can be complicated and frustrating. For this episode Andy welcomes back Erik Doerr, CPA to discuss many considerations small business owners and operators need to consider.

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Today’s Sponsor
Global Auction Guide

Episode Links
Erik R. Doerr, CPA on LinkedIn

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.

Video is a powerful way to tell a story and promote your business, but is there any tricks to hack the system? In this episode Andy is joined by Jake Larsen of VideoPower.org to breakdown the power of YouTube Ads. Jake even shares the secret to a free click through from YouTube!

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Today’s Sponsors
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.

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 200 Women’s Division International Auctioneer Champion Amy Assiter. She shares her thoughts on competition and visualization and control can help you win.

Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher

Today’s Sponsors
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.