business startup/feel,getting name out there

This might seem to be beneath some people, but I was thinking. I live in huge tourist town Gatlinburg TN( Great Smokey Mountains). We have several flea markets, and one right off the highway that gets a few thousand people a day in the summer. I was thinking off getting a booth or table( about $60 a day) and trying to seel some callenders of the area or some prints of the area. I was also thinking if I did this for a few weekends that would be a good way to get my name out there. Not expected to make lots, just want to break even. But it might be a good way to get a feel for what people in the area want. So what do you think? Should i just got back to the drawing board or am in the right direction?

Unless the tourists really hit the flea markets, I wouldn't do it. One other thought might be postcards. I might also make up a few samples and go up and down the main strip there and talk to some shop owners about possibly doing a consignment type of arrangement.

On a sidenote. I love Gatlinburg, I just haven't been able to get up there in over 15 years. I miss it

For $60, what else do you have to lose? In another thread, one of our members paid $1,200 for a booth.

Go for it. $60 and you have the chance to get your name in front of 000's of people.

Be procative in your booth tho', dont just expect people to come to you - so get out and talk to them.

Have a range of products, such as your calenders and prints, but also consider framed enlargements and postcards etc etc. If you sell via the web, also have some cards made up to hand out.

Dont expect a huge return at first, but I would expect you to do better than covering your costs.

I have found that where you advertise and HOW you advertise greatly determines the kind of people you are going to attract. If you want people that only want to spend as much as they would at wal-mart portrait studio, then go to the flea market. If you want to attract the kind of people that collect art, that have the money to spend on photograpy, that will buy a large wall portrait...ect....then concentrate your efforts elsewhere. Upscale children's clothing boutiques, doctors offices, the bank, a spa, ect....
I don't know about you, but I WANT the high end clients, so that's what I gear my advertising towards.
Just my opinion

larann78 wrote in post #2371503
If you want to attract the kind of people that clients, so that's what I gear my advertising towards.
Just my opinion

Same here. My marketing for portrait shots is geared toward the upper middle to high end clients. I've managed to distinguish my self from the local "affordable" photographer and have started doing very well.
My question is this: If you only want to break even, why bother? I guess I'm missing something.

60 sounds like a good cost for the exposure you will get. I just started doing the same this year with buying spots at art and craft shows ranging in price (and size) from 15-25 a day, but not getting nearly the exposure you will. You have to start somewhere!

Well I live in Kodak so I know the Pigeon Forge area, and if you plan on setting up at one of the flea markets out this way (off of rt. 66) They are ALWAYS full on the weekends. I'm sure you could at least break even, if not make a bit.

Good Luck

Kodak, what a small world. I went to Northview. I was refering to the flea markety right of the interstate