Marketing is an essential aspect of all businesses, so it is with an antiques business.
Marketing comes in a wide variety of packaging and it is beyond my expertise to discuss much of the detail and nuances that persuade the consumer to buy one brand rather than another.
There is one marketing strategy that is especially fun and enlightening in the world of antiques and collectibles. That is the personal contacts and conversations you have with people who share your interest in all things used.
I received an email from an individual who had stacks of ephemera. Her young family did not want any of what they saw as old paper, useless and dusty. She and her husband were in the process of rearranging their cottage. They said they no longer had need for the items, did not want to dispose of them in the trash as they knew enough that someone might be a collector of such items. Their contacts in the world or collecting were limited. They had contacted an internationally known auction company who told them people were not interested in such things.
Maybe in the international circuit where bidding thousands and millions come easy to some, but in the real world of average collectors there is a place for just about everything.
I enjoyed talking with my cottage couple. As is always the case when collectors get together, we exchanged collecting interests and favorite moments in our collecting history. We each shared knowledge as well as gained some. We talked business, laughed, and each made a new friend.
As we said our farewell for the day, they held the door open for me and waved as I packed my truck with the treasures they entrusted to me to sell on their behalf.
It was a good day all around.
There is one marketing strategy that is especially fun and enlightening in the world of antiques and collectibles. That is the personal contacts and conversations you have with people who share your interest in all things used.
I received an email from an individual who had stacks of ephemera. Her young family did not want any of what they saw as old paper, useless and dusty. She and her husband were in the process of rearranging their cottage. They said they no longer had need for the items, did not want to dispose of them in the trash as they knew enough that someone might be a collector of such items. Their contacts in the world or collecting were limited. They had contacted an internationally known auction company who told them people were not interested in such things.
Maybe in the international circuit where bidding thousands and millions come easy to some, but in the real world of average collectors there is a place for just about everything.
I enjoyed talking with my cottage couple. As is always the case when collectors get together, we exchanged collecting interests and favorite moments in our collecting history. We each shared knowledge as well as gained some. We talked business, laughed, and each made a new friend.
As we said our farewell for the day, they held the door open for me and waved as I packed my truck with the treasures they entrusted to me to sell on their behalf.
It was a good day all around.
Till next time, stay well, stay happy
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