I finally found the space .......but now what

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

catti	27 Sep 2004
I have been giving tarot readings "professionally" as in for $ for years but never with a great professional set up .... never wanted to do it out of my home, tried it a few times and well, probably some of you have had experiences with the goofy or just plain crazy client and you understand why i dont want to do readings from home....anyway, i have now been in the area 8 months and found a great place where the owner of the store will allow me to do readings, free of rent! all i have to do is decorate, that is not a problem. i have plenty of paint and the artistic inclination...printing the flyers not a problem....but all of a sudden i am feeling doubts and worries about how to procede...what should i do for info on the flyer? i will only read on the weekends but Halloween seems an obvious choice to have a "grand opening"....how should i call it? ......guess i better make up some business cards.....i just dont know ! I have never promoted myself from a location before, just set up tables at fairs and the like. any thoughts or ideas? thank you catti

ros	27 Sep 2004
"Feel the Fear and just do it" Good luck, GO FOR IT!!!

Flavio	27 Sep 2004
Congratulations on you new venture, a few days ago started this helpful thread called how to make a flyer you might want to take a look.

Mesara	27 Sep 2004
Sounds like you really scored on a free place! What kind of store is it? If you are planning your grand appearance for Halloween (a great idea by the way!) then maybe place a raffle jar in the store ahead of time where customers can put their name in for a free reading. That will help wtih advertising. Let us know how it goes!

Kath	27 Sep 2004
I think a Halloween opening is a great idea. Yeah, it may seem a bit obvious, but what better time for people to get tarot readings! :) Get a diary so you can keep track of appointments. Will the staff at the shop take bookings for you? If so, check in with them regularly so you don’t double book. Advertise in the local paper, or on community notice boards. You can call it a grand opening if you want, or you can promote it as a new service. Mesara’s idea of raffling a free reading would be really good promotion, perhaps you can have an ‘introductory offer’ for the first few weeks by having discounted readings. I don’t know if you’ve ever taped your readings, but getting a tape recorder (you can charge your clients an extra dollar or two for the tape) may pay off. Have some spare notepads and pens so your clients can take notes. Good luck!!

mehndigirl	27 Sep 2004
Catti, I have been in a simmilar position with my henna business. Here are some of the things I did... Hang full page fliers at a nearby univerity (if you have one) on public bulletin boards. Also coffe shops and simmilar hang outs. The kind with little tare off phone numbers seem to work best. Take 1/4 page adds to head shops, book stores, and the like and ask if you can leave them at the counter. On friday or satuday night, wander through a few bars or clubs and leave 1/4 page fliers on the bar and table tops. You may even want to put an add in the paper. If you can't afford that (like me) go for a classified add. When you do fairs have business cards or fliers to let people know you have a permenent home so they can come see you agian. Be patient. It takes time. With my business it took me over a year to start getting regular appointments. Good thing you don't have to pay rent on your space! good luck to you, mehndigirl

Majecot	28 Sep 2004
Congratulationsand Good Luck Catti!!!! What kind of a shop is it? Perhaps you can offer a discounted rate for clients already going there for other services? A raffle is an excellant idea too. I cannot wait to hear how it goes for you.

The I finally found the space .......but now what thread was originally posted on 27 Sep 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.