I am *so* freakin' excited, I just ordered my own Zibit! (Is it here yet?)

My family (me, wife, two teens) live on the road and I've been looking for something outside my "normal" income making for the family to do as we travel. I'd seen mention of the Zibits before, but this time when I "stumbled" across some threads here it hit me -- THIS could be what I've been looking for!

We're in Alaska for the summer (it's our home base) so will get our feet wet up here and then will head south in late September. Down through WA, OR, CA and then across AZ, NM, TX, etc.

And all along the way we're now going to be on the lookout for flea markets and other good places to show our Zibit.

My intention is to show the kids another example of "living outside the box" so they know they have options when they leave home -- a "normal" job while living in one spot isn't a requirement.

I'm going to get my tent and signs ready while I'm waiting for delivery, so by the time it gets here I should be *completely* ready to go.

Yeehaw! =:)

Jay Jennings

Good luck to you my friend!

I have my zibit show ready and will take it out for it's first spin next month at the flea market and then am trying to book in at a local 'community day'.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the family Jay. 'Living on the road'...intrigueing...what do you guys do? How do you do it? hmmm...never mind, sounds like a book that needs to be written!

Nutshell version: At this point I make most of my living writing and selling online marketing tools (examples below in my sig) -- so as long as I can find a Starbucks with wifi I'm able to work. We sold our house about 2.5 years ago and have been on the road in 208 square feet for two years this September. We summer in Alaska and then head south when the snow starts to hit the mountains.

I'd like to be able to transition from working online to working offline -- doing stuff like busking, zibiting, etc. Living like a gypsy. =:)

I have about 2 more years before my oldest is 18 and want to give my kids some "street skills" they can use whether they decide to work in an office (gag!) or not.

Jay Jennings

Just an update and a question for anyone with Zibit experience who looks in here...

Checked with a local place for my signs and they wanted $240 for the 2x6 -- about $900 total. Maybe they thought I wanted the gold-plated ones? Got them online at worldofbanners.com for $90 including shipping. Even if they're lower quality I can afford to replace them a few times for that price.

Next week I'm taking a trip to Costco for one of their $200 canopies with sidewalls -- unless I spot one on Craigslist before then. Then I just need to wait (patiently!) for the actual Zibit and I'm ready to go.

Question...

My Mom's friend has a nursery (plants, not babies) and sells plants at different farmers markets around the area. She mentioned what I was planning and he said it sounded good, but that $1 was too cheap because anyone who would part with 1 dollar would just as easily part with 2 or 3.

I can think of two reasons why $1 is a better price, but has anyone *tested* charging more? The marketing side of me doesn't like to believe "gut feeling" because testing often proves those wrong.

Jay Jennings

Normally, admission is $2, but today everybody comes in for the single child's price, $1!

Checked with a local place for my signs and they wanted $240 for the 2x6 -- about $900 total. Maybe they thought I wanted the gold-plated ones? Got them online at worldofbanners.com for $90 including shipping. Even if they're lower quality I can afford to replace them a few times for that price

Why? even go for the Worldofbanner BS...why not have Professiional Banners painted and elevate your show into the realm of REAL $$$$$...Even if you blank...the banners if done right, will retain your investment....(has nobody ever heard "Front of the show...gets the Dough")and you would be surprised how reasonable you could get which I can only imagine what your wanting for...

Why? Because right now I don't have the money for $900+ banners. And while I'd rather have quality than crap, I'd rather get started than wait until everything's just right. I'm a big believer in starting, and then improving over time. I've seen a lot of people NOT do stuff because they're "not quite ready."

Jay Jennings

--EDIT--

Plus, at least initially I'm following Doug's recommendations, which is "plain and simple." Paying $900 for black and white banners seems like idiocy.

[quote]On 2010-07-12 02:46, Jay Jennings wrote:
Why? Because right now I don't have the money for $900+ banners. And while I'd rather have quality than crap, I'd rather get started than wait until everything's just right. I'm a big believer in starting, and then improving over time. I've seen a lot of people NOT do stuff because they're "not quite ready."

Jay Jennings

--EDIT--

Plus, at least initially I'm following Doug's recommendations, which is "plain and simple." Paying $900 for black and white banners seems like idiocy.
[/quote

Black and white banners at any price is Idiocy....

So it would seem on face value.

Got my banners from VistaPrint on line. Was like $100 or so for all three.

Obviously you play for peanuts...

Me? No way, full color and good, solid graphics all the way, by my own hand. On the other hand, I'm not following a methodology that advocates the simple, plain black and white ones as a proven marketing tool. Just saying.

I use gotprint.com for all my printing. Easy and inexpensive.

http://www.wholesalebannerz.com Been using them for years to make all the banners that I design myself. Inexpensive

Again...the black and whites are just a simple idea for the FLEA MARKETS to attract a certain type of clientele that was not into repsonding to midway Side Show hoopla and a carney look...and to be able to get 'in the game' for little money. It was NEVER intended to replace the time honored methods on the midway or threaten old timers but to reach a different segment in a completely different venue. It worked. It continues to work.

I used fully painted and illustrated banners for my own shows for years. But the black and white idea proved itself for a small single-o in a flea market setting again and again...so please Jim calling it idiocy might make you feel all knowing but it's a bit harsh and rather ignorant.

It is but ONE idea among many. I can't belive we're back at this one up BS again.

The black and white worked well for me as Doug said "To reach a different segment of the market" Fully coloured banners and all the razzmatazz would be better for the midway though.

There seems to be something about a gaudy set up which plants it slightly down market in some peoples minds (Not mine I hasten to add) There again us Brits are known for the conservative feel !!

Ken.

How do conservatives feel?

with their hands.

Not felt one for a while !

I am/was not trying to be "all knowing"...I was merely answerin a question posed by Mr. Jennings...However, after re-reading the question..I found it was aimed at Folks with Zibit experience...Since I have none, I would like to retract my answer, apologise to Doug and hope that zibit owners everywhere can find it in their Hearts to forgive me....Sincerly...