DSLR boom opportunity?

Thinking aloud here (someone pass the WD-40), I was reading this thread mentioning frustrations and hassles
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?p=1714148

Now I know there is a boom going on (in general) ever since the 300D rebel. A majority of the DSLR newbs are 40+ and not computer savvy. I see more and more (otherwise accomplished) people having problems and hassles changing over from film SLR etc. And its not their fault. A DSLR ain't no video player that you can easily master (joke).

The proper classes for Photoshop and related "getting to know digital what not" are booked solid in my town... but they hand out diplomas and such after proper schooling. I have in mind simply a "right now" helping hand tutor - in a glorified booth - in a mall - and bring your coffee/donut with you. One on One. Could it be viable?

Besides running cost outlays and the start up costs... for PCs, printers, card readers, heavy duty mice & keyboards it could be viable. If the staff are mild mannered & patient, over 40s english speaking part timers, hmmm are there any of those around? Could attract quite a few customers. Repeat business too.

I would think a booth or push-cart (as they're called around here) in a mall might actaully generate a lot of buzz. I don't know that you'd need more than one PC and one Mac for a one-on-one interaction, and a universal card reader, and a printer. Software will be expensive, of course.

I think the cash layout for one of these push-carts is pretty high, though. Probably depends on the mall. Might be worth looking into.

In the mall near me, a kiosk like you're talking about starts at $7,500.00 per month.

Add to that the obvious distractions present in any mall, and you're going to have quite the challenge on your hands. You're going to be trying to sign people up to pay to learn something in an environment that's about as non-conducive to learning as I can imagine...

You may also need an LCD projector ($$$) and screen, etc. to display what you're doing. I don't know...sounds like an awful lot of money to get going. If you think it'd be THAT popular that you'd make your money back and then plenty, sounds like a grand idea!

That's not something I'd wanna do personally.

The demand is low - sure there's a "boom", but:
1) Every photo store I know of is offering courses of all levels
2) Photography is user friendly. It's not rocket science - ever since the kodak brownie there were tons of newbies to teach about everything.

But if you put in enough effort and capital into it, you'll probably end up with a profit of sorts.

Most people don't really care. They buy expensive cameras because of pride, then set them on the shelf for months. I see these guys/gals every time there is a school play, etc. They don't even charge the battery so they end up asking me for my photos. I really think most of these people would be better off with a Holga.

As far as classes go, I took the 15 week complete Photoshop last fall. The class was full at the beginning. At the end I'd say about 1/4 passed the course, the rest dropped out.
Get your money up front!

Doug

Hi Carzee,

My wife is in the shopping centre marketing business and I put the Q to her. In the business these sites are called Casual Leasing. Here's her thoughts, maybe a little discouraging.

Public Liability Insurance minimum of AU$20 000 000.
Most Centre's now charge you for the Electricity.
You pay more for a powered site and this is usually just for a double outlet.
You can't spruik to attract business.
How do you answer enquires when you have a customer?
The sites are normally just 3m x 3m.
You HAVE to trade the hours of the centre.
Most will charge you if they supply you with additional equipment ie tables, chairs, display boards
No security guaranty of your equipment after hours.

Over all she said Casual Leasing does better for those selling a product rather than a service. However another thing she said to look into is temporary leases of vacant shops. The rent for these isn't as expensive as leasing a shop on a permanent basis and make suit the needs better ie. secure, less noise, but not as visible to walk by traffic.

Hope this helps.

spruik _ I had an idea but had to look that up to make sure ...

I have to question that age on both counts. We have had computers around for twenty years now in common useage. I am also sure that a good proportion of this forum are under 40.

Anyway, If you are trying to teach a 70 year old, who has never seen a computer, how to produce an HDR image, then you had better have a good deal of patience!!!

Graham

That's a great idea! But I can't recommend it. Ever worked in PITA Retail?
I doubt that you'll be able to cover your expenses, though. Sorry!
I like to teach. I explored the "opportunity" of teaching at a local college & found that personally, I can make more money, for less time invested, any day of the week just going out & shooting for a client. I'll bet that you can, too.
(And that includes teaching PSCS @ $600 a week)

For the few people I run into who really want to learn, I carry a little bit of paper with the POTN site on it to give to them.

I wouldn't sign up for any form of tutorial in a mall. Especially not for anything as complicated as photography & computers!

If you aim at one-on-one tutorials in the confinement of the customer's home, then it'd be another thing.

Have you thought about classified ads in the paper or on the web, then doing one-on-one or small group tutorials at the customer's home (as Claire suggested)? That way there would be much lower start-up cost and ongoing expenses and you would have the additional advantage of teaching the customer on the same equipment they will be using after they are done. Many (>20) years ago I wanted to make some money a summer break in my education and put a classified ad in the local paper for handyman work at about 2 times the minimum wage at the time--the phone rang off the hook. For more skilled work and with the wider exposure possible with the internet, you may just be on to something. I know in my neck of the woods any kind of photography classes are hard to come by, so there is definitely a need. Unfortunately, I am more on the student end of things right now, or else I would try it out myself.

Well maybe I'm wearing rose coloured glasses. The idea may be too daunting for most. I have done home tutoring for HTML etc (one on one), I have done mall spruking for a retailer, I have done sales booths at product/trade shows. I have paid "casual lease" fees at the malls for displays. As long as you do your homework and check the demo target is at the site... but as mentioned the overheads can be too high at the bigger malls.

I guess I enjoy teaching. I never got a diploma in Ed. I wish I had gone into a teaching career sometimes.

Smaller start up and avoiding outlays may be the only approach.

OK, maybe you could post a flyer in the photo stores, art supply stores, drugstores at the photo kiosk, etc.
Maybe teach a Community Education class on the cheap (they all are) & offer a more personalized advanced class?
Offer a 1 day "Photo Treck".
Include an incentive CD of software like JAlbum, JPegger, the GIMP, etc...