Johnson Auctioneering

We are now finished with our benefit auctions for 2011. To all of our wonderful clients, we say THANK YOU for putting your trust in Johnson Auctioneering. We love what we do and it is an honor and a privilege to work for such fine organizations and wonderful causes. This past year we have traveled throughout the Midwest, conducting benefit auctions in La Crosse, WI, Minneapolis, MN, Rochester, MN, Madison, WI, Duluth, MN, Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL, Woodbury, MN, Waukesha, WI, Cannon Falls, MN, Zumbrota, MN, St. Paul, MN, Wausau, WI, Eden Prairie, MN, Kenosha, WI, Anoka, MN, Shakopee, MN, Red Wing, MN and more! Thanks to our great team members, including Joe Mellem, Tim Banks, Jeremy Schafer, Paul McCartan, Bret Walters, Katie Lindmeyer, Bernie Johnson and Jim Pagel.

We are Benefit Auction Specialists…only 1% of the auctioneers in North America are certified as benefit auction specialists and we take this very seriously. I recently attended a seminar in Phoenix, Arizona with some of the top benefit auctioneers in the nation where we developed more exciting ideas. We will also be taking part in the Minnesota Auctioneers Association Conference and Show along with the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association Conference and Show, both in January. We strive to stay on the cutting edge, continuously learning so we can help your organization raise money beyond your expectations.

Looking ahead to 2012, our calendar is filling up fast! Remember to book your auctions early so you don’t miss out! We are now booking benefit auctions a year or more in advance, so it’s not too early to secure our services for 2012. A big part of our services include consultation on all aspects of your event, from the silent auction, to games, to matching funds, to sponsorships and all streams of revenue. We also serve as emcees and can help you in all areas in putting together a successful benefit auction.

Thank you all again for a wonderful 2011 and we are excited and looking forward to a busy and successful 2012.

We’re in the midst of the busy, fall auction season and enjoying every minute of it. We specialize in benefit auctions and take it very seriously. As I’ve state many times before, our goal is to raise money beyond your expectations! This fall, we’ve seen the majority of our benefit auctions set records for the most funds raised, and for that we are very thankful.

I was in Baltimore, Maryland in September attending the Benefit Auction Summit. This is an event put together by the National Auctioneers Association. I thoroughly enjoyed the three day event, taking in educational seminars and visiting with the 40 other benefit auctioneers from across the United States. It’s always great to find out what’s new, what’s working in other parts of the country and taking in the various seminars.

One topic included new technology for silent auctions. In my consultations with clients I’m often asked about portable bidding devices that are used in silent auctions. There are currently some options available to organizations that you may want to check out. As I mentioned, we have the portable bidding devices…also available is bidding by “text messages” on your cell phone…also bidding online via your cell phone…and “touch pads.” Whichever method is right for your event, I don’t know…but I believe we’re going to see some serious changes in our silent auction bidding in the future.

It was also interesting to share stories on what unique live auction items have been doing well in benefit auctions throughout the country. Our seminars included everything from having an adequate sound system, how to deal with different generations when it comes to giving, new streams of revenue, the latest computer technology used in benefit auctions, how to find and keep guests at your event, and much, much more. I am so glad I attended this wonderful Benefit Auction Summit, and I can’t wait to share the information I gained with all of our clients.

I’ve always believed that in business, you have to keep learning! There is so much out there that we can take in and use in our daily lives. It is our goal here at Johnson Auctioneering to always remain on the cutting edge of the benefit auction industry.

As I mentioned, we’ve been very busy with fall auctions and 2012 is filling up fast! Our team is growing, with the addition of a great, young auctioneer in Jeremy Schafer who will be assisting us with upcoming auctions. If you’d like more information about Johnson Auctioneering, we’d be thrilled to meet with you and discuss what we can do for your school or organization. Good luck to everyone and their upcoming fund raising events!

It always amazes me when we receive phone calls about our availability for benefit auctions, just a few weeks before the event! I would encourage you to book your benefit auctioneer as early as possible, so you won’t run into trouble finding the right auctioneer for your very special fund raising event. In fact, many of our clients secure our services a year ahead of time…we finish up the auction and they tell us to put them down for the next year.

Good benefit auctioneers are booked six months to a year in advance most of the time. Don’t leave this till the last minute, make sure that one of the first things you do is hire your auctioneer. As I stated in my last entry on this blog, a year ahead of time is preferred.

Here at Johnson Auctioneering, we are fortunate to have six very qualified auctioneers to work our events. There are many nights during the busy benefit auction season when we’ll have two, three or even four auctions on the same night.

So, how do you find the right auctioneer for your event? To begin with, I would suggest you look for a “Benefit Auction Specialist.” This is a designation offered through the National Auctioneers Association, whereas these auctioneers have had training and received education on conducting benefit auctions. We are proud to be Benefit Auction Specialists, and these are the types of auctions we conduct.

Be very wary of using a “volunteer” auctioneer. I’ve seen two scenario’s that have not worked well…one, where a non-professional auctioneer has conducted the auction, and another where an auctioneer volunteered their time.

Let’s first look at a non-professional auctioneer; in many cases it’s a local television or radio personality, or maybe a principal or father of a student. These folks mean well, but let’s face it…they do not have the training and expertise to conduct a successful auction. You need a professional who knows what they’re doing…someone who is not only entertaining and enthusiastic, but someone who knows how to bring in the most money possible.

Next, there is the professional auctioneer who might specialize in livestock, antiques or household items and volunteers their time to help out. Remember this, you get what you pay for. I’ve had frantic calls from organizations less than a week from the event, when they say, “I had a volunteer auctioneer, but he called and said something came up.” Well, who knows what that something was…probably booked an auction he got paid for. Let’s face it, an auctioneer who volunteers their time will probably not be willing to invest a lot of time and work into making the auction a success; after all, they’re doing it for nothing.

When looking for your auctioneer, take a look at their web sites and see if they have a video of them in action. Consider how many years they have been in business…what types of benefit auctions they conduct…and be sure to contact some of their clients to see what they think of the services provided. Also ask if they offer consultation before and a wrap-up meeting after the event. Will they help you find items for your auctions? Will they offer advice on the many streams of revenue that are available? Will they bring professional bid assistants with them to work the crowd during the auction? Will they help promote your silent auction, raffles, games…and if needed would they be willing to serve as an emcee? These are some things you definitely want to consider when looking for the right benefit auctioneer for your event.

Also consider the type of fee that is going to be charged. Some benefit auction companies charge a percentage for their services…in other words, they take a certain percentage of total sales in the live auction (and many times they’ll take a percentage of the “appeal,” games, raffles, etc.). Keep in mind, there are many non-profit organizations that refuse to hire an auctioneer that charges a percentage. Many organizations feel the safest and best way to do business is with a “flat fee.” At Johnson Auctioneering, we always charge a flat fee for our services.

I would suggest that when you narrow your list of auctioneers down to a few, ask them for an “auction proposal” that would list the services they will provide and the fee they will charge. If possible, be sure to watch a video of them in action…or better yet, ask if you could attend a benefit auction they are conducting so you could watch them in person. We’ve done this many times, and it usually is not a problem if someone wants to come in for the live auction and watch.

Once you’ve decided on an auctioneer, be sure they send you an auction agreement. You should have everything in writing, with a secure date that includes services provided.

I can tell you from years of experience, that by hiring a professional benefit auctioneer, your organization will bring in much more revenue verses a non-professional or volunteer auctioneer…it isn’t even close. We’ve seen on many occasions the amount of money raised double, triple or even quadruple by having a professional benefit auctioneer handle the event.

We’d love to work with you on your next event! So far, 2011 has been outstanding for Johnson Auctioneering! We’ve set records for money raised at events in Minneapolis, La Crosse, Rochester and St. Paul. Coming up, we’ll be heading to Milwaukee, WI…Duluth, MN…Madison, WI…Woodbury, MN…Waukesha, WI…Cannon Falls, MN…and Zumbrota, MN.

We are proud to be Benefit Auction Specialists and will help your organization “raise money beyond expectations!”

ROD JOHNSON
JOHNSON AUCTIONEERING

Look out 2011…here we come! This is a great time of year as we work on many benefit auctions that are quickly approaching. Planning ahead is a key, and if at all possible I suggest to our clients that they follow some type of a timeline in planning and organizing their benefit auction.

Under ideal circumstances (which doesn’t always happen of course), I would recommend the following key planning dates:

360 days out
1) Set the date / goals / and budget
2) Secure an auctioneer / location / caterer
3) Arrange for an adequate sound system (consider hiring a professional)
4) Print acquisition forms and materials
300 days out
1) Send out “Save the Date” cards (create and send)
2) Begin monthly meetings
180 days out
1) 60-90 days – Mail invitations
2) 30 days – put live auction items in order
3) 15 days – Catalog should be in the hands of attendees (mailed or emailed out)
4) 1 day – Print addendum (late items)
After the Auction
10 days after your event – send thank you notes to:
· Guests
· Purchaser
· Donors
· Committee Volunteers

As I mentioned earlier, these are under ideal circumstances, but it can be done. It is very important to secure your locations, auctioneer and caterer as early as possible so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Here at Johnson Auctioneering, we are more than happy to work with you throughout the entire process. Benefit auctions are what we specialize in, and we can take what has worked with other organizations and pass that information onto you.

I am very excited about our upcoming auctions! In the very near future we’ll be in Shakopee, Minneapolis, Rochester, Woodbury, Cannon Falls and Zumbrota, Minnesota…along with La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Here at Johnson Auctioneering, we’re excited about having a new auctioneer and bid assistant join us. Jeremy Schafer will be helping out at some of our benefit auctions. In fact, congratulations are in store for Jeremy, as he was crowned the 2011 State Rookie Champion at the recent Minnesota State Auctioneers Association Conference and Show, held in St. Cloud. Jeremy is currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Dairy Farm Management.

Speaking of the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association Conference and Show, we were thrilled to find out that Johnson Auctioneering took first place honors and won the award for “Best Web Site!” Again, thanks to Bridgette Lorentz for helping us out with our web site and thanks to all of you for logging onto Johnsonauctioneering.com!

The best to you and yours throughout the coming year, and let’s continue to raise funds above and beyond all expectations!

We are wrapping up a busy, yet wonderful fall benefit auction season! In the last couple of months, Johnson Auctioneering has traveled to St. Paul…Green Bay…Chicago…
Kenosha…Minneapolis…Madison…Bloomington…Wausau…Milwaukee and many other towns and cities throughout the Midwest. We’re doing what we absolutely love, conducting benefit auctions!

Our newest member of the Johnson Auctioneering team is Mr. Josh Banks. Josh has been serving as a bid assistant, and recently completed his schooling at the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Iowa. He is now a professional auctioneer, and we’re thrilled to have him working with us.

Joe Mellem, the 2010 Wisconsin Novice Champion Auctioneer, is now officially a Benefit Auction Specialist!” Joe, who has been with Johnson Auctioneering for a couple of years, recently traveled to Las Vegas to take in the Benefit Auction Specialist course. Offered through the National Auctioneers Association Education Institute, the BAS course covers topics such as the fundraising components of the auction event, item acquisition, audience development, contractual agreements and public relations. Less than 1% of Auctioneers throughout North America hold the BAS designation. Congratulations Joe!

As I mentioned earlier, our auctions conducted this fall proved to be very successful. A major part of our services includes consultation prior to the benefit auction event. This is when we discuss the many streams of revenue that are available, along with item acquisition, timelines, and much, much more. In these consultations, I always advise that the organization we’re serving conducts an “appeal or “fund-a-need during the event. It amazes me that more organizations to not take advantage of the important stream of revenue.

I noticed an interesting trend this fall…and that is, on many occasions the amount of money raised in the “appeal” at the end of the live auction, often brings in more money than the live auction itself. So I would seriously suggest that you consider this in the future if you are currently not implementing an appeal in your benefit auction. It can literally mean thousands of dollars in extra revenue for your cause.

As we head into the winter and spring benefit auction season, I would highly suggest you book your auctioneer soon, before the calendar is full. This fall, we had a few occasions where we had 3 or 4 benefit auctions on the same night. Don’t leave it till the last minute, or you may be sorry.

I certainly want to thank our auctioneers and bid assistants that help us out…Joe, Josh, Tim, Katie, Paul, Bret, Mark and Jim. When you utilize the services of Johnson Auctioneering, you get much more than an auctioneer for your event. We bring a team that includes not only a professional auctioneer, but professional bid assistants.

We’re looking forward to a large number of benefit auctions in the coming year. We’d love to assist your organization…feel free to contact us for a no obligation meeting to discuss your needs and event.

Have a great 2011 everyone!

Rod Johnson
Johnson Auctioneering

It’s been an interesting fall so far, with a few changes here at Johnson Auctioneering. I believe I’ve mentioned before that my wife Bernadette and I have four sons. Our two oldest have been serving in the U.S. Army for a number of years, and as of September, we now have three sons serving in the military. Nathan, who has been a big part of Johnson Auctioneering was recently accepted into the Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air Force Recruiting Service Officials considered 1,139 applications for this opportunity. A total of 114 men and women from across America earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer’s commission.

We are very proud of Nathan but will certainly miss him during this busy benefit auction season. Once Nathan finishes his Air Force Intelligence Training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, we hope to once again have him conduct benefit auctions on weekends for Johnson Auctioneering.

With Nathan’s absence, we are excited to have Joe Mellem on our Johnson Auctioneering team! Joe has been helping us for the past couple of years, and is the current Wisconsin Novice Auctioneer Champion! Joe won this contest, which is for auctioneers that have been in business for less than 5 years, at this year’s Wisconsin Auctioneers Association Conference held in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Joe is not only a top-notch auctioneer, but is also a specialist in benefit auctions and a wonderful emcee.

I realized the other day, that the auctioneers we have here at Johnson Auctioneering are all award winning! We have auctioneers that have been state champions in Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and also finalist in the International Auctioneer Championship. We’re proud of our auctioneers here at Johnson Auctioneering!

As I’ve mentioned in the past, we also have professional bid assistants that work our benefit auctions. When you hire Johnson Auctioneering, you get more than just an auctioneer for your event. Besides the consultations prior to the auction, we bring a team to work your event, that includes not only a professional auctioneer, but professional bid assistants. We’re also very proud of our bid assistants…Tim Banks who has been with us for 5 years, Katie Swanson has also been with us for a number of years and she is actually getting married in December.

I’d also like to welcome the newest member of the Johnson Auctioneering team, Josh Banks. Josh has been helping as a bid assistant, and in November will be attending the World Wide College of Auctioneering. We’re excited to have Josh with us as not only a bid assistant, but soon to be benefit auctioneer!

We are definitely in our busy season for benefit auctions! Recently, we enjoyed working auctions for Tee it up for Troops, Family Services, Courage Center, the St. Pius Fall Festival and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Remember, there is a world of difference between a regular auction and a benefit auction. An auctioneer may be excellent in selling household items…or livestock…or cars….or real estate…or antiques, but when it comes to benefit auctions it is an entirely different ball game!

So, as you plan your event for 2011…it is very important to hire an auctioneer that specializes in Benefit Auctions. Better yet, it would be an excellent idea to hire an auctioneer that has the National Auctioneers Association designation of “Benefit Auction Specialist.” Believe me, it will make a HUGE difference in the amount of money raised for your school or organization.

Finally, I hope you like the new look of our web site. Thank you to Bridget Lorentz, Graphic Design, for her wonderful work.

We would love to assist you and your fundraising endeavors, and will travel throughout the nation to conduct such auctions. At Johnson Auctioneering, our goal is to help you raise money beyond your expectations!