Where can I acquire a mailing list to send out gallery opening invitations?

Question

I am a photographer with a couple of years new work. I've sold maybe 5 photographs without 'trying.' I have a friend who has offered his beautiful townhouse (complete with garden) to use as a 'gallery' for a photo show. The location is perfect. Now I need people to show up. How can I get a pre-printed (or downloaded) mailing list that I could use to send out postcard/invitations (maybe 500-1,000) to people who are either art lovers, museum & gallery goers, art buyers, photography buyers, other photographers & artists who live in a radius of about 10 miles from the location? (Washington, DC area) so I'm sure there are at least that many. Also, I was thinking that when people walk in, I could give them a door prize ticket and the winner would get a photograph (their choice of photo and framing). Would that seem tacky or not? I figure I'd get maybe 1 in 10 or 20 people who got the invitation to show up. Does that seem about right?

Answer 1

Thats spam or junk mail. That will turn people off from you!! Yuck!!!



As the other person said, get involved with some of the local photo clubs. Put an ad in the paper. Get an ad in the money mailer things that go out in the community with local coupons. Maybe an insert into the paper. Get the news to do a story about it.

Answer 2

Why don't you try some local photography clubs and local adult education photography classes. Just put up some flyers making the announcement. A specific mailing list is usually very proprietary item and most are built slowly over several years. If you can go to an art auction, or use the internet in some discussion groups and also try any free lists.

Answer 3

Call and ask for the mailing list of local Art associations.. they should be glad to provide them for free