Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a stash of shop photos to use on your site, in ads, on social media… a stash that shows all the ways your customers see your consignment, resale or thrift shop….
with only a little work on your part?
How about running a photo contest?
Now, you’ll have to prepare some forms, select your judges, and decide on prizes. Who should the judges be? You, of course, plus a few community leaders, local retail giants, and/or those who have an audience of their own… local bloggers, journalists, TV personalities… the mayor?
In addition to the judging by your panel, using the “top 20” or whatever photos in your social media as the contest takes place, but before the judges announce their first, second, third place winners, builds excitement and gives the entrants a reason to share, like and comment.
It would be perfect to run a contest like this a second time, in the opposite season… you could end up with enough photos to last until you expand into that gigantic space you’ve been eying (and then, a third photo contest for the new place!) because community recognition has grown and grown and now you NEED 19,000 square feet!
PS Don’t forget Too Good to be Threw’s most valuable piece of advice… make sure everyone’s a winner. Hand-write thank-you notes to all, and include a small gift for participating: “stop in for your free MyShop T-shirt”, or a $X off coupon, or even, if you are really a cross-promoter, a coupon for a free ice=cream cone at the shop next door (provided free by them, natch!)
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Oh my goodness this is a fantastic idea! Your timing is perfect. We are trying to up our stash of pics from shop items and customers. Very cool. Thank you so much Kate!
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Glad to help… be sure to let us know how it goes!
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I’d Google+1 this if you had the little link! Love all the great ideas you share.
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Thanks for the pat on the back. Alas, life is too short to have every social media site active 🙂
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