Re: Marketing and getting your name/brand out.
Music festivals in your region that have a vendors' area -- even the smaller ones -- can get your instruments in front of the "music public." I've seen a lot of interest generated, business cards taken, and possibly fruitful conversations at small-time festivals that draw perhaps fewer than 1,000 audience.
Of course, this means acquiring a canopy and some display equipment, and giving up some weekends where you talk to "tire kickers," and don't make any immediate sales. And, you have to have an inventory of at least a half-dozen finished instruments to display.
In April, I'm playing at the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), this year in Acton MA. They have a whole school gym given over to the "folk bazaar," which always includes several instrument builders, as well as jewelry, clothing, pottery, etc. The fact that some of the luthiers have been there nearly every year of the 20+ I've played there, indicates that they've found it good for their business.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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