Congratulations, you’ve been given the opportunity and responsibility of Clerking a Live Webcast Auction! Where should you start?
Rule Number 1 of Clerking:
Don’t panic.
Clerking can seem like a nerve-wracking, fast-paced, intricate and difficult task, which… yes it is, but it’s also manageable.
The 3 C’s of Clerking
When it comes to clerking, there are three key elements to keep in mind to help streamline your workflow and stay focussed:
1. Clerk
Your number 1 priority as the clerk is to, funnily enough, clerk the auction. Your attention and focus has to be on your clerking console, the bids coming through, calls from the Auctioneer (and your other teammates if you’re accepting floor bids and phone bids), and nothing else matters.
Whilst the auction is running, follow these rules:
Keep a sterile environment
Keep your phone handy but in your pocket
If anyone tries to talk to you or distract you, tell them to go away
Keep hydrated, water is your friend
2. Communicate
You have a symbiotic relationship with the Auctioneer, a Webcast can’t happen without both of you and the two of you need to keep in sync. Remember these three words – call it out.
Auctioneer not paying attention to their Auctioneer Screen and have missed a bid? Call it out.
Got an online bid at the same time as a floor bid? Call it out.
Received a last second bid before the hammer fell? Call it out.
Got a commission bid that’s off-increment and the Auctioneer hasn’t noticed it? Call it out.
Not sure what increment amount the Auctioneer wants or is going in? Call it out.
The Auctioneer and the Clerk are a team, and to be an effective team make sure the Auctioneer can see and hear you.
3. Cursor
Whilst 95% of the Clerking Console can be operated with your keyboard, actions like accepting a Commission Bid, changing Increment and Asking Price, and launching your Live Feed can only be done with a mouse.
Clerking can be fast pace so always keep in mind where your cursor is on your screen. Positioning your cursor is key, keep it close to the actions you need to perform and tune your move speed so you don’t miss the button you need to click.
Keyboard, Mouse and Trackpad – which is best?
When it comes to keyboards, you want something tactile and fast, but not so sensitive that the lightest of presses leads to unintended inputs.
If you’re a mechanical keyboard nerd (we are too), we recommend MX Speed Silver switches.
Our number 1 recommendation for if you are using an external keyboard and mouse, keep it wired.
The battery life of modern wireless keyboards and mice is very impressive, our MX Master 3S only needs to be charged once a month. However, keeping your devices wired is one less possible failure point and one less thing (charging) to worry about.
And what about the eternal debate, Trackpad vs. Mouse?
If you’re using Windows, use a mouse.
If you’re using macOS, use the trackpad or get yourself a Magic Trackpad.
And do yourself a favour, don’t use a Magic Mouse.
Introduction to Managing Live Webcasts
Overview Video – The new Webcast Clerking Console
Congratulations, you’ve been given the opportunity and responsibility of Clerking a Live Webcast Auction! Where should you start?
Rule Number 1 of Clerking:
Don’t panic.
Clerking can seem like a nerve-wracking, fast-paced, intricate and difficult task, which… yes it is, but it’s also manageable.
The 3 C’s of Clerking
When it comes to clerking, there are three key elements to keep in mind to help streamline your workflow and stay focussed:
1. Clerk
Your number 1 priority as the clerk is to, funnily enough, clerk the auction. Your attention and focus has to be on your clerking console, the bids coming through, calls from the Auctioneer (and your other teammates if you’re accepting floor bids and phone bids), and nothing else matters.
Whilst the auction is running, follow these rules:
2. Communicate
You have a symbiotic relationship with the Auctioneer, a Webcast can’t happen without both of you and the two of you need to keep in sync. Remember these three words – call it out.
The Auctioneer and the Clerk are a team, and to be an effective team make sure the Auctioneer can see and hear you.
3. Cursor
Whilst 95% of the Clerking Console can be operated with your keyboard, actions like accepting a Commission Bid, changing Increment and Asking Price, and launching your Live Feed can only be done with a mouse.
Clerking can be fast pace so always keep in mind where your cursor is on your screen. Positioning your cursor is key, keep it close to the actions you need to perform and tune your move speed so you don’t miss the button you need to click.
Keyboard, Mouse and Trackpad – which is best?
When it comes to keyboards, you want something tactile and fast, but not so sensitive that the lightest of presses leads to unintended inputs.
If you’re a mechanical keyboard nerd (we are too), we recommend MX Speed Silver switches.
Our number 1 recommendation for if you are using an external keyboard and mouse, keep it wired.
The battery life of modern wireless keyboards and mice is very impressive, our MX Master 3S only needs to be charged once a month. However, keeping your devices wired is one less possible failure point and one less thing (charging) to worry about.
And what about the eternal debate, Trackpad vs. Mouse?
If you’re using Windows, use a mouse.
If you’re using macOS, use the trackpad or get yourself a Magic Trackpad.
And do yourself a favour, don’t use a Magic Mouse.