Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles 2013
Rob Reiner and April Brown
The Auctioneer that Delivers Results
Auction Chairs | Development Officers | Event Planners
Do You Want To Raise More Money, Increase Donor Response, Motivate Volunteers, Remove Stress, Improve Productivity?
- Would You Like To Work With The Best Professional Auctioneer and Maximize Profits and Have A Fun and Entertaining Auction?
Volunteers | Donors | Sponsors | Advertisers| Boards
- Do You Want Retain Volunteers, Increase Donations, Attract Sponsors, Connect Advertisers, and Improve Board Participation?
- Would You Like A More Successful, Positive, and Fulfilling Planning Process?
Auctioneer | Consignment | Training | Performance Crew
Why Choose April?
Outstanding Track Record of Success
- Master Charity Auction Specialist MCAS
- Veteran Auctioneer Generated over $500 Million in Sales
- Innovative Developer of The One Bid Board, Dessert Dash, Auction Games, Branding for Good, Value Per Minute Formula, Ring Toss, Word Up, Loaded Bid Paddle, Lucky Loser, Lucky Squares, Ball Grab, Pick-It, Off-2-the-Races, Wine Wall
- Founding Director of Whisker City
- CEO Trips 4 Charity Auctions
- CEO Charity Auction World
Highly Experienced & Professionally Trained
- Outstanding Track Record of Successful Auctions and Seminars
- Graduate Missouri Auction School
- Privately Trained by Leroy VanDyke
- Professionally Trained withRalph Wade
- Active Member of The EcoTourism Society
5-Star Consignment Properties In Italy and Indonesia
- Golden Buddha Cottages
- Villa Paradiso
- Il Pozzo
- Casa Comedia
- Casa Della Nonna
- Casa San Frncesco
- Casa San Marco
- Casa Ombretta
- Casa Vittoria
- Vila Olivia
- La Vittorina
TEN QUESTIONS TO ASK AN AUCTIONEER
Are you looking to hire an auctioneer to improve your auction planning, execution and financial results?
Well, I’m going to tell you right now that there are many wan-na-be auctioneers, and it is hard to know where to start, or to know what to look for when hiring an auctioneer. There are so many fakes - from The Local Personality to the Plumber - that you may not even know what a real auctioneer is! They profit from you but are you profiting from them?
Here Are My Top 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Auctioneer So You Can Achieve The Results I Promise.
1. Why do you charge $250, $500 or even $1000 an hour?
I am a highly skilled and trained auctioneer. I am serious about what I do and what I can do for you. This is not a part-time job or “just something I do for extra money”. I Make People Money and I know what it takes to reach an auction goal.
This is not true for most auctioneers. They are not trained and they are not invested in the outcome. And, many have no idea what good advice is and when to give it. Skill and experience are critical to gleaning every dollar in the buying and giving process. I have extensive experience performing, developing new profit centers, easy procedures and I give great support.
And I walk the walk. I began my career as a business and estate liquidator with my company West Coast Liquidations. I have personally planned and been responsible for the outcome of nearly 100 auctions and that was long before I specialized in charity events. I’ve walked in your shoes. If they have not walked the walk, and proven they know what it takes to achieve great results, how can you expect these amateurs to know what it takes to achieve extraordinary results with you?
2. Can you Guarantee That We Will Succeed?
Imagine a business that does not provide a guarantee. Well, auctioneers do not guarantee their performance and service. I do. We plan every aspect of your auction together. We discuss which Profit Centers best suit the theme, the venue and inventory. Most auctioneers continue to offer the same old thing in a complicated format. I consider your assets and limitations and customize my advice and training around the strengths of the individuals and organization.
Before you hire an auctioneer, ask how they plan on helping you. Ask them if they plan on refunding your money if their ideas fail and if their lack of experience creates problems for you.
3. Have You Ever Planned and Conducted an Auction?
Nothing prepares an auctioneer more than being responsible to volunteers, donors, sponsors, advertisers, the audience and major corporations. I’ve personally done every task that I ask my clients to do. In fact I developed many of the simple procedures that have replaced the antiquated busy-work you are probably using today.
4. What Professional Training Do You Have?
In many cases auctioneers have very little, if any professional training. There is a big difference between calling oneself an auctioneer, and having 1000’s of hours on the auction block. Those thousands of hours is time spent connecting with the audience, honoring and recognizing donors, studying body language and examining procedures. I’ve taped hundreds of auctions and I use that information to modify and develop my training and advice. The Camera does not lie. I continually invest even more time and money into being the best auctioneer and consultant in the field. This is why my clients achieve extraordinary results.
6. What New Ideas Do You Bring To The Table
Do they have anything of value beyond calling the auction? I do. I created many of the games you may already be using to raise money. Did you know there are many ways to play the same game? As an example, the Ring Toss game can be played over a dozen different ways. Games can be morphed to fit your theme and even the limitations of the volunteers. I even have games that can be managed by volunteers with differing physical and mental abilities. Most auctioneers have no idea how to develop, manage or even advise you on this very important profit center.
7. Why Did You Become An Auctioneer?
Did they lose a media job? Are they looking to make extra money? Are they burned out? Do they truly care about your success? I became an auctioneer to raise money for my own non-profit organization. I started West Coast Liquidations and used the money from liquidating businesses and personal property to fund Whisker City Feline Rescue. I have a deep passion for charity and I understand the importance of connecting with supporters. I also understand we need money to do our good works. I am the voice of my client and the voice of the recipient. The fact is I get you and I get what you want and need.
8. How Do You Support Me To Achieve My Goals?
Many years ago I recognized that most of the people that planned charity auctions are women. These women brought a broad array of skills and resources to the arena. What they do not have is time to waste. I created the Auction Powerhouse Library with these busy women in mind. Clients have access to 1700 videos, documents, photos and audio files. Contracted clients can copy, download and share this amazing resource with their team.
9. What Makes You Different Than The Next Auctioneer?
The fact is auctioneers copy auctioneers. At nearly every auction I conduct, a wan-na-be is standing in the back of the room studying me as I perform. All they know is what they see. They have no understanding as to why I am doing what I am doing. In fact, I’ve often been told stories of these watchers trying to do the same thing and failing because they don’t know the reasoning or the procedure to support a successful outcome.
I will meet with you as often as you need support. Most clients like to meet 3 times in advance. I supply and/or loan game implements. I have the only Swap Meet for Charity that allows you to post items and people for loan or for a fee. I have the best tools in the business and the volume of these tools is constantly growing. I can show you how to maximize profits and minimize effort. I have simplified every aspect of the auction planning process and the night of execution.
10. Are You Ready To Start?
There is no other auctioneer anywhere in the world who is more committed to you than I am. You will not find a person who believes in you more and who will provide you with better answers and better advice. If you want your auction to grow, I will help you grow it. If you want to create and connect with more and better donors, I will help you lure them to your camp. If you want to easily train and retain volunteers, I will show them easier ways to do everything! If you want to have an auction that is FUN, EXCITING AND PROFITABLE, then there is no point in contacting one more auctioneer.
April Auctioneer 206.235.4697 auctions@aprilbrown.com
----My board was a bit hesitant going with a female auctioneer, however April was the best, and the most succe$$ful in over 10 years of doing auctions!
----Our auction would have been a disaster if it wasn’t for April and her Charity Auction World Team. We were running so late on auction day. She and her team pitched in folding tent cards, distributing menus and making sure everything was ready when the doors open up. We could not have pulled this off without them.
----The best fund raising decision I ever made was hiring Charity Auction World for our annual auction and gala. It was a bit more expensive than the auctioneers we’ve used in the past, but the result was over the top! And it wasn’t just an auctioneer that showed up, it was a team of auction professionals including an MC and a catalog reader that enticed our audience to spend over $25,000 more than last year! WOW! It was a record night!
----For years we just hired an auctioneer, who showed up on auction night and usually did an ok job; some better than others. This year we hired a team of auction professionals, Charity Auction World, led by the very entertaining April, who has 20 years of auction experience. She nailed it! We made nearly twice as much money. I have found out that there is a huge difference between an auctioneer and an auction team!
----It was a battle at the board level. Some wanted a former Seattle TV personality who now has a new career doing auctions. Others wanted to hire a professional auction team, with an exciting auctioneer, an entertaining MC, a great persuasive catalog reader, and professional bid catchers. We eventually decided to try Charity Auction World and they made more money for us than we could have possibly imagined!! Even the board members who wanted the TV personality were blown away. He may have attracted a few more guests, but the auction team far exceeded our auction goals where it counts, in the bottom line. And they were a blast to work with! If you’re interested In making a lot of money for your organization, do not decide on auctioneer without checking them out.