Welcome to Introduction to Clerking a Webcast Auction, you have chosen or been chosen to clerk a Live Auction, one of our most streamlined and responsive features.
First things first, take a deep breath. Clerking can seem like a daunting game of reaction and speed, trying to keep up with a barely comprehensible Auctioneer calling out Increments that don’t add up, and all the while receiving floor bids and online bids at the same time… but just remember the first rule of clerking:
Don’t panic.
Clerking is all about rhythm, about finding the right timing and keeping clear lines of communication open with the Auctioneer. The first 10 Lots can feel like a daunting game of catch-up, but if you follow these guides and make sure you communicate with the Auctioneer effectively, you’ll find yourself finding a stable rhythm and pace within the first 50 lots.
After that, you just need to follow the second rule of clerking:
Don’t fall asleep.
The Clerk’s Role
Let’s define what it is you do as the Webcast Clerk. Your role can be simplified down to just 5 points:
Bid on behalf of the Floor – Your Auction may offer both in-person and online bidding, in which case you need to place bids on behalf of floor bidders when the Auctioneer calls them out or accepts them.
Bid on behalf of the Vendor – The Auctioneer may sometimes receive instructions from the Vendor to place a bid on their behalf, you’ll just need to place that bid the same as you would a floor bid.
Bid on behalf of the Auctioneer/Absentee Bidders – Bidders who can’t attend the whole auction may sometimes opt to leave bids with the Auctioneer or your other team members, the Auctioneer should call those out for you and you’ll just need to place that bid the same as you would a floor bid.
Accept Commission Bids from Online Bidders – Online Bidders have the option to leave an Auto Bid during the Pre-Bidding phase and a Commission Bid during the Live Bidding phase. They are one and the same, but you as the Clerk must accept their Commission Bid on the current Asking Price/Increment. Keep an eye out for that orange bar.
Operate the Webcast Clerking Console – Your primary responsibility is to make sure each Lot moves in and out of the Ring as smoothly as possible. It’s your job to:
Place Floor Bids
Monitor Online Bids (and call them out if the Auctioneer misses them)
Set the Asking Price and Increment
Accept Commission Bids
Sell or Pass the Lot
Pull Lots from the Ring (Remove from Sale)
Publish and monitor the Livestream feed
Sounds like a lot to juggle, but you really only need to focus on 2-3 things at the same time, these are your highest priorities:
Place Floor Bids
Change the Asking Price or Increment when requested by the Auctioneer
Sell or Pass the Lot
Preparing to Clerk
The Clerking Console can be a daunting mass of buttons and clicks at first, but the guides in this chapter will help break down what each section and button of the Clerking Console is for and how frequently you’ll need to use them.
We’ll also instruct you on how to set up a hidden practice Auction that you can use to hone your Clerking skills before the main event kicks off.
We also encourage you to book in a one-on-one training session with us if you haven’t already, our friendly staff will help guide you through the Clerking process step-by-step and break down some of the more complex aspects of clerking. Email us at support@webtronoa.com to arrange a Clerking training session.
Clerking a Webcast Auction
Welcome to Introduction to Clerking a Webcast Auction, you have chosen or been chosen to clerk a Live Auction, one of our most streamlined and responsive features.
First things first, take a deep breath. Clerking can seem like a daunting game of reaction and speed, trying to keep up with a barely comprehensible Auctioneer calling out Increments that don’t add up, and all the while receiving floor bids and online bids at the same time… but just remember the first rule of clerking:
Clerking is all about rhythm, about finding the right timing and keeping clear lines of communication open with the Auctioneer. The first 10 Lots can feel like a daunting game of catch-up, but if you follow these guides and make sure you communicate with the Auctioneer effectively, you’ll find yourself finding a stable rhythm and pace within the first 50 lots.
After that, you just need to follow the second rule of clerking:
The Clerk’s Role
Let’s define what it is you do as the Webcast Clerk. Your role can be simplified down to just 5 points:
Sounds like a lot to juggle, but you really only need to focus on 2-3 things at the same time, these are your highest priorities:
Preparing to Clerk
The Clerking Console can be a daunting mass of buttons and clicks at first, but the guides in this chapter will help break down what each section and button of the Clerking Console is for and how frequently you’ll need to use them.
We’ll also instruct you on how to set up a hidden practice Auction that you can use to hone your Clerking skills before the main event kicks off.
We also encourage you to book in a one-on-one training session with us if you haven’t already, our friendly staff will help guide you through the Clerking process step-by-step and break down some of the more complex aspects of clerking. Email us at support@webtronoa.com to arrange a Clerking training session.
Chapters