Farmers markets

Satisfaction and possibility are there.

http://www.thenewburyportfarmersmarket.org/

We will see what this brings on Sunday April 21, 2012

Steve
It is a matter of trying to make my own niche and not worry about the big boys and girls (corporations). Not much selling there for any of us.

Yes best of luck Bill !

Steve

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My SP Photos

Selling the service without regards to bland photos but doing the best kind of photos for the people I'm selling to. It is not all farmers products but artist of all kinds including local musicians.

I am still in the stage of creating a market. I believe I should give complimentary photos, so the people I am marketing my skills to, to see how good I am to create the interest. Sunday when I was taking more photos it occurred to me more work is needed to be done, to create this kind of market. At least in the digital age making a market doesn't cost anything more than time. If we still had film then that would be a whole different thing.
Once I get as many people to see my photos I will send out a newsletter letting them know my service can't be given away all the time. There are lot of participants in a farmers market and the more that get to know me the better.

Adelaide

I have printed up business cards doing both of your suggestions I even have a throw away photo I posted with the idea.

http://www.shutterpoint.com/Photos-ViewPhoto.cfm?id=911442

Hi all.
As a 20 veteran of street fairs in the northwest, where I started, and the southwest and northern midwest, I can give you some hints,
1. You seldom do real well the first time at an event,it takes a couple of years to get known.
2. It's hard work planning, setting up, and working the booth. That's why we no longer do 25-26 shows a year.
3. You need a big inventory to compete, people look for a choice when it comes to hanging stuff on their walls. We feature everything from $1.50 note cards to $150.00 framed prints, the note cards usually paid the bills but the prints made it profitable'
4.Be flexible, the customer is the one paying,some shows we actually sold more custom stuff we had to mail than we sold at the show.
5.We did better at juried shows with art in the name in larger venues than smaller shows but the small shows were just as much work although the fees were smaller and usually the customers more picky as they usually have friends competing with you.
6. As with all retail the customer is ALWAYS right, if they are happy with your product and service they might tell a friend, if they are unhappy they will tell everyone.
It was a very enjoyable run and we met a lot of fellow artists who are friends to this day and we go to the events when we are in the area just to say hi.We also get quite a few request from our old customers and do our best to fill them.
We only do about 5 small shows a year now and if you are in our area please stop in and say hi.



find us here.

Mel

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http://www.hiwestern.com
I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function ,whatever technological innovations may develop.
Ansel Adams-1983

Edited: 06/24/2012 at 12:53 PM by Mel Milne

Mel I am offering my services to other vendors but so far nothing has come of it. I have had a couple sales for vendors personal use but not their business. Either way time is the thing that I wish I had more of. Michael it may be easier to buy through internet sources. Make sure you order backing along with frames plus the sizes you want.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Mel Milne
By the way the IRS will want you to keep accurate records and if they suspect you are not being honest will audit you.


...and that's a fact !


Steve

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My SP Photos

Bill:
Pretty tough sell, as everyone now has a digital camera and considers themselves to be a photographer.
During the 35mm days I used to have a pretty good sideline taking pictures for realty companies now every realtor carries a camera in their car. I would stop at the offices on my way home from my day job, pick up a list of properties go by take the pictures, drop the film off at the 1 hr photo shop. I would pick it up the next day and deliver the finished product to the realty office for 50 bucks a pop. Now if I went by the office the pictures not only would already be up on the bulletin board in the hallway but already posted on the company web site and jpegs e-mailed to the local paper for to-morrow's ad copy.
I used to get up Saturday morning and spend a half hour or so mixing gas for my lawn mower, check the oil etc pull the ripcord 4-5 times to start the noisy d---d thing. I had to take it to the shop for service a couple of times a year,put up with noise and smell. Now I unplug my 32volt electric from the charger insert the key turn on the switch and quietly mow my lawn, I love it but the guy who used to run the mower shop down by the hardware store-not so much.
Mel

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http://www.hiwestern.com
I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function ,whatever technological innovations may develop.
Ansel Adams-1983