Pop-up sheet music stall at music events

Students, parents, teachers and performers who want music on the spot, often at short notice before a performance or exam.

Retail margin on each sale. Stock is bought from distributors and publishers, and you can also take pre-orders and ship them afterwards.

• Knowing music and repertoire
• Friendly face-to-face selling
• Packing, setting up and stock control
• Handling card and cash payments

• Copyright: only sell legitimately sourced music, never photocopies
• Stall fees can eat into margins at quiet events, check past attendance with organisers
• Markets and events may need a stall permit or council approval, check with organisers and your local council
• Public liability insurance is often required by event organisers
• You need an ABN, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold, check with the ATO
• Carrying unsold stock between events, and weather protection for paper

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the stock you buy, your stall setup and weather protection for paper. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on which events you attend and their attendance.

Check with event organisers and your local council whether a stall permit or approval is needed. Public liability insurance is often required by organisers. You'll also need an ABN, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold. Only sell legitimately sourced music.

Estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week, depending on how many events you attend. Allow time for packing, setting up, carrying unsold stock between events and checking past attendance, since stall fees can eat into margins at quiet events.