Becoming An Auctioneer

Charity benefit auctioneers are a unique group, with fewer than 5,000 in the U.S., and only about 10% working full-time. While the role may seem simple for those who are articulate, energetic, and love to be onstage, many who try it find it challenging.

If charity benefit auctioneering is someone’s passion, I would never try to dissuade them from diving in. As my own story attests, I came to the field after a successful career in other related and unrelated fields and grew to love it. Because of all my performing experiences, I was pretty good at running charity benefit auctions from the very beginning, but I’ve also now had more than 25 years of experience with literally thousands of events, and I constantly work to get better at what I do. I could probably show up, go through the motions, and no one but me would know that I didn’t give it my all, but that will never happen. Did Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant ever have a bad night? For sure, the legendary professional basketball players did, but I can say with certainty that they never showed up for a game to which they didn’t give it everything they had. Guys like that aspired to be the best in the world, which means they never allowed themselves to coast. To be the best, you can’t mail it in, and you can’t take anything for granted. You push yourself to get better because second place isn’t an option.

I will never show up at an event and not give everything I have, nor do I want anyone working for KLM Auctions to do less. I constantly remind myself that I am there to make sure my client looks good. Hours of preparation make minutes on the stage count. When I speak, I speak on behalf of the organization, and when I raise money, I do so on its behalf. I can’t be a politician giving a stump speech: “It’s Saturday, so this must be Milwaukee.”

With over 25 years of experience, I strive to improve continually. I believe in giving my all at every event, ensuring my clients shine. Training aspiring auctioneers, I emphasize that while initial skills can be honed quickly, true greatness takes years of experience and countless events to build up.