I have the distinct honor to frequently teach other auctioneers about various auction-industry topics. My teaching/presenting includes at the
Certified Auctioneer Institute, the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) Designation Academy, NAA Conference & Show, many state auctioneer associations conventions, auction schools and otherwise …
Recently following the Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate (AARE) NAA Designation Class held in Las Vegas, Nevada, another attendee asked me what it would take for him to be a teacher/presenter at an NAA function. I told him that his interest in teaching/presenting was to be applauded, and with completing the prerequisites, it was certainly possible.
First, I told him that I don’t hire NAA (or any other) instructors. NAA has staff and volunteers who together work to ensure the instructor pool is stocked with high-caliber teachers/presenters. However, I have recommended a few people over the years to various teaching positions, and provided some train-the-trainer sessions as requested.
We wrote about “teaching auctioneers” here: https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/teaching-auctioneers-and-practically-anyone-else/ Otherwise, our offerings and experience teaching auctioneers is detailed here: https://teachingauctioneers.com/
For a third party perspective and similar advice, here is an article by professional speaker and author Shawn Doyle regarding proper teaching/presenting techniques: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/274646. Shawn has written several other worthy articles as well.
Nevertheless, I told my inquirer that I equated teaching at an NAA function to Major League Baseball. The best of the best play in Major League Baseball, and in order to play at that level, one must generally play baseball in grade school, high school, college, minor leagues and then the major leagues.
Of course, teaching/presenting requires two distinct traits: content knowledge and presentation skills. A presenter who knows the content but can’t present — or a sterling presenter with little or no content knowledge — is not suitable to teach anyone other than to solely gain practice and/or experience while under the direct supervision of a learned instructor.
Auctioneers wishing to present at the highest level of auctioneer education should take steps now to gain some experience. This training should include mentoring other auctioneers, joining and being active in NAA and state auctioneer associations, writing articles for various association publications, vast experience in the auction industry and practice teaching/presenting at the local level.
This practice teaching/presenting should take place such that feedback and evaluations are provided in order for the presenter to “sharpen the knife” in terms of presentation skills. Quite frankly, content expertise and presentation skills both come with extensive practice and experience. Importantly, as the level of teaching/presenting rises, rightly so does attendee expectations.
Teaching/presenting at NAA and the like are much like playing major league baseball. If you want to play major league baseball, start practicing and playing ball on the local level and then possibly you will be “called up.” NAA is always looking for great [experienced] presenters who have extensive content knowledge.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, CAS, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, RES Auction Services and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. He serves as Distinguished Faculty at Hondros College, Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School, an Instructor at the National Auctioneers Association’s Designation Academy and America’s Auction Academy. He is faculty at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University and is approved by the The Supreme Court of Ohio for attorney education.
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