Page 3 - 2017 4th Qtr Newsletter_TAA_FINAL

TAA NEWS

By: Kyle Dykes
BUILDING YOUR CAREER 2017 STATE CHAMPION

The auction business is a competitive business that in placed in the spotlight
my opinion is one of the hardest industries to break whether you are acting as
into in terms of making a full time living. From what I an auctioneer or a ringman.
have learned since I received my license in 2011, is Take each opportunity to
that it takes a constant effort of building relationships meet at least one new face
and striving to improve your skills as an auctioneer. In and make a connection
this never ending journey to be the one person people in some form or fashion.
call to sell their assets, all auctioneers no matter how If you can relate to a person’s
long they have been in the business, should work to business interests then
improve their skill set. Not only do I learn something you will be more memorable
new at every sale I have the privilege of working, when they need your services.
but I feel I learn even more by attending an auction
strictly to observe other auction crews in action. It may I will tell you from experience that when starting out
be a car sale, estate sale, equipment, or livestock sale. as an aspiring auctioneer it can be discouraging at
Regardless of the type, if I have the time to attend times. There are skills out there that you don’t really
and learn by observing, I will be there. You may find a understand nor have access to unless you find a mentor
particular style and sound that you may want to try in that will take you under their wing and show you, and
terms of your chant, the way you work the crowd as a you get out there, get involved and learn by emersion
ringman, or a one liner or statement that the man on into the business.
the mic uses to spark some excitement in the crowd. I
am constantly trying to improve each and every day. As I said I am still learning every day, however the decision
that helped me get started in developing my auction career
Winning the Texas Auctioneers Association Champion was becoming a member of the TAA and being
Contest has been a work in progress for several years, exposed to successful members that were willing to
and finally winning that title does not mean that there is share their wisdom. I meet someone new or get an
no more room for improvement. The biggest thing that I opportunity to work for someone at every event or
can stress to new or younger generations of auctioneers auction I attend. Therefore, I never allow some-
is that you can always improve your skills and that you one or something to discourage me from doing
should always try to do so. At times I have found it so. There are too many mentors in this business to
easy to become complacent in my efforts to adjust and not be successful. It is tough no doubt, but if you truly
improve. I have especially noticed other auctioneers work at improving your sound, stage presence, and
along the way making that same mistake. The thing I ability to market the product you sell, you will find
have noticed about many of the auctioneers that I look success. Many times those mentors find you.
up to within this industry is that you can never meet too
many people in this world. The key to this is being able I am always willing to share my knowledge and
to recall, develop, and maintain a personal relationship skills with anyone. The great thing about having
with them after meeting them. This applies not only the TAA network is that if I don’t know it, I can get you
to being involved in a professional organization such in contact with someone that does.
as the Texas Auctioneers Association, but to making
contacts at sales or events in your community. In our Kyle Dykes, Kyle Dykes & Associates, LLC
line of work we are awarded the opportunity to be kyledykesauctions@gmail.com | (254) 371-9388

Happy Holidays

to you and your family

from the

Texas Auctioneers Association!

www.texasauctioneers.org 4th Quarter • 2017 3