Business-related question...

[aloser]

First off, my disclaimer:
I'm hoping this isn't breaking any rules (from what I could tell it's not, though it's possible I missed something and/or someone would make up something to imply that it is, but here goes.

Anywho, I'm working on getting my model railroad's website up and running and would like to go about getting "sponsors" in the form of hobby store owners to contribute some sort of discount to the forum (website) members. My question is simply whether it's best to approach the hobby stores, or wait and let the hobby stores approach me instead??? Whaddya guys think?

 

[skyking]

go check out the local hobby stores, and see if they have a website. Many will, and the best you can do then is trade links.
If you find a store without a web presence, offer to write an article on your site with some pictures, in exhange for some discounts or whatnot.

 

[ailetlvo]

Setup a stand about a mile away, leave a trail of jelly beans, and kick back with a brewski.

 

[benliong]

I agree with skyking. Just approach them, and tell them that you're building a website for hobbyist, and would like to feature your store. Ask the owner if he wants to provide some discount to get more people interested in the store.

Who knows, if they have no presense on the internet, you can even offer to setup their website for a price.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

www.trainweb.com

 

[aloser]

Thanks guys; so the concensus seems to lean towards me approaching them???

 

[D1gger]

Business does not come to he who sits and waits.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: ailetlvo
Setup a stand about a mile away, leave a trail of jelly beans, and kick back with a brewski.

I tried this last week with Asparagus to attract chicks to a party I was throwing. It sort of worked, but the only people that showed were fat hippy chicks that didn't shave their pits. They drank all my beer and their pee stunk really bad. (from the asparagus) I know this because a bunch of them peed in my backyard and on the floor in the bathroom. So, the jelly bean thing might work. Hobby ppl tend to be pretty fat.

 

[aloser]

Asparagus? No wonder you only got hippies........... :S