Marketing out of state?

[Michele Rushworth]

I'd like to market my work in the Southeast and Northeastern parts of the United States and I'm looking for some cost-effective ideas.

I have a site on Stroke of Genius so that part's taken care of. I know I don't have the quality portfolio to submit to the portrait agents yet, though I'm working on it. I'm sure I can't afford to advertise in Southern Living or Veranda yet either. That covers the first few out-of-state marketing ideas that came to my mind.

I live in the Seattle area, and the Northwest has never had a tradition of portraiture. Washington State also now has the highest unemployment in the country and they're predicting another two or three years of recession up here.

So....I need to get my work out in front of lots of people in the parts of the country where they do buy portraits.

Any suggestions?