Auctioneers sell various items at live events, receiving professional training and specializing in certain types of items. The key to success is mastery of the auction corner, with skilled singing maintaining excitement and interest. Auctioneers work on commission and often travel to different cities. Training can be obtained through professional academies or apprenticeships, with licensing exams required.
Auctioning refers to the highly skilled profession of bidding and selling various items at a live event. A wide variety of things can be auctioned, including real estate, automobiles, livestock, commodities, artwork and antiques. Most events feature one or more auctioneers, who charistically collect bids from attendees and try to encourage ever higher bids. Many auctioneers receive professional training at specialized schools and academies to learn the trade and obtain licenses.
The key element of a successful auction is mastery of the auction corner. Singing involves the rapid, rhythmic calling out of numbers and phrases while an auction is taking place. A skilled singer is able to maintain excitement and interest in an auction by shouting out numbers, convincing people to bid higher, and alerting the audience when the auction is coming to an end. An auctioneer will often shorten or insult sentences while singing to keep up with the pace of the auction.
Many auctioneers specialize in the types of items they sell. Professionals can work exclusively with antiques, works of art, properties, agricultural equipment or machinery, among other specialties. Auctioneers are generally very knowledgeable about the items they sell, and many are appraisers or collectors. They can help other workers organize events and erect stages. In addition, many auctioneers actively promote and advertise events at community meetings, in newspapers, and on the Internet.
Auctioneers typically do not enjoy regular working hours. Many professionals hold full-time auction jobs, but their hours vary based on the number and location of auctions in a given period. It is very common for auctions to take place at night and on weekends, when the greatest number of potential bidders can attend. Auctioneers often travel to different cities in the region when few local auctions are taking place. Most professionals work on commission only, which gives them more incentive to travel and do their job well.
An individual interested in learning the auction trade can attend professional academies, enroll in distance courses over the Internet, or work as an apprentice to an experienced professional. A potential auctioneer is given detailed instructions on how to sing, persuade the public, close bids and keep records. Studies in ethics, law and communication are also featured in an auction program. Upon completion of an apprenticeship or training program, which can take anywhere from one to six months, a new auctioneer becomes eligible to take a licensing exam administered by their state or country. Auctioneers who sell real estate and certain types of properties must complete additional licensing requirements.
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