Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi all

This is my second posting here in this forum and the question is do I take my business to a flea market for exposure? I think it would be a great way to market my online business, especially since my marketing budget is small and will probably wind up being paid for by credit card. But I am concerned about the items that I sell and the clientiel that usually frequents flea markets in the first place... I sell anime figures and gaming miniatures and alot of what I sell is not and cannot be sold at a discount price. What do you guys think and is there a better way to market my Ebay business online that will give me a better roi?

I don`t know much about your target customer - are they likely to be shopping in a flea market?  I live on the TN/KY border and flea markets here are for produce and antiques, so anime designs wouldn`t sell with the older crowd looking for cucumbers and china.  Go to the flea market you`re considering one morning and see if the folks are cucumber types or if they`re looking for something different.

Do you have a venue where you can rent a booth in a permanent shop?  This is something I`m considering to get my business off the ground - someone owns a building and you just rent out a stall for a monthly fee and the goods sit there all day on display.  Or is there maybe a collector`s shop or comic book store that would let you buy some display or counter space?  The benefit to this is that you don`t have to sit there on a Saturday morning and have people argue with you over the price.  In your absence, the price labeled is the price.  You can also do a little experimenting this way to find the optimal selling price for your goods.

I think that going to a flea market could be a great idea.  Do you have any flea tiques or higher end type markets in your area?  Our area has several of them and ou see things like you have there all the time.

Also, you might want to think about getting some inexpensive ( But nice looking) business cards made with what you sell and either your ebay store or a website address on it.  Post these EVERYWHERE!  I even suggest placing them into the bill envelopes when you pay your bills.  Someone has to open the envelopes and just might know someone who wants what you sell!

I would also take the cards to the flea market with me and give them to everyone that shows an interest.  You never know who know who.

I wish you the BEST!

You might want to do some research about the types of flea markets or shows out there. 

I know in Indiana where I am from they have huge sales that go on at the local fairgrounds that are like special interest flea markets.  Gun and Knife show, guitar show, they have exotic animal shows, general flea market, and I"m sure that there is some show that would in some way relate to your product and fit your demographic.

I think the flea market idea is a good one, just do your research to find out what type of crowd is going to be there.  If a bunch of old ladies are going to be there I doubt that you`re going to have a ton of sales.  Although that would be pretty funny to see a bunch of old ladies clammering over your Anime figures.  Sorry that was just a great mental image.

What about exhibiting at a computer show? We have them around here. http://www.ncshows.com/ They come by and take over the greyhound and horse tracks for a weekend at various towns. I would imagine since you sell gaming figurines and anime that a lot of your clientele is computer savvy. It might be a good venue for you. (I don`t know if you actually HAVE to sell computer stuff or not. I have seen lots of cell phone gadgets and things non-pc related.) The vendors do sell computer items at a discount but that doesn`t mean you have to. I would imagine that there wouldn`t be many cucumber or china types at those shows (like TrueGrits mentioned). I would think it would certainly be the demographic that you want to target. Good luck!

Love flea markets and think you would fit right in . . . go 4 it and good luck!!

don`t forget the business cards and garage sale stuff . . if the anime doesn`t take to begin with you could easily work with some of the stuff you`ve been wanting to unload anyway.  split the booth in two and see how it goes.

have fun!!