What Have You Done To Promote New Stamp Collectors?

I live in a rural community where there does not appear to be an interest in collecting stamps. However I started buying used US and Worldwide albums on ebay for a minimum cost.

I then have been reselling them in the local second hand stores (the most prevalent businesses in this area) at my cost, even throwing in a packet or two of stamps and hinges. I have been averaging about 1 album sale a month.

I also have a couple of 3-ring binders each filled with packets of US and worldwide stamps at nominal cost.

I don't make any money off these stuff, but it seems like I may be creating some new collectors. The site owners tells me its different people doing the buying.

I guess I need to create some business cards to put in the albums to promote APS and SCF links. It's a new and evolving process.

Clears out my duplicates and unwanted sunk cost supplies while creating potential new buyers.

Maybe my next step will be to see if there is enough interest to start a local club.

Good work! I'm sharing this with APS staff leadership as another good example of things that collectors are doing. APS makes business reply cards available to distribute; recipients can send them in for information, etc.

- I bring auction catalogs and APS magazines to my various doctors appointments and read them in the waiting rooms. No sense in dragging them home, it seems to be the right demographic, and it is a captive audience so they are left behind with the rest of the magazines. Given the number of doctors offices I have seen in the last year or two it feels like I am Johnny Appleseed but I have no idea if this has been effective or not.

- I used to make a single page exhibit-type display and have my local postmaster mount it in the PO lobby, changing it out every 1-2 months. Unfortunately have not been able to make this happen in a while.

- Been running free monthly contests offering small prizes.

- Always keep a 'beginner' collection with hinges and basic tools to gift to anyone who appears even slightly interested

- Lots of time/effort go into the Stamp Smarter website and moderating this forum which hopefully has encouraged some folks to join our hobby.
Don

I donate money to APS, since I'm a life member and no longer have to pay dues. Basically, I'm a "bowling alone" style of collector and I don't "broadcast" to people, other than a very few close friends, that I even collect. Too easy for the "news" to spread around and maybe I get a "curious burglar" looking for the "fabulous riches."