Thank you to David Doub for giving me the ideas and letting me use them as the basis of my article. These are in no way the definitive be all and end all rules for a convention. They are only a guideline…a place to start. In the meantime, definitely provide comments on what you want to see in a convention, mistakes in a convention, and advice for anyone running one. I have a blog with something in a similar vein. Can I reblog this on mine?
DragonCon , and others are just fun because you can putz around and just be a nerd i. ECCC, Allcon. So as a vendor, you need to think about this before signing up to a show: is the audience at this show looking to cosplay, putz around, or stand in line for hours for panels and show-exclusives? Yes, SDCC has become a hollywood shit show…and I still want to go — as an attendee, but never as a vendor. Because I know that the majority of the attendees that go are going for show exclusives and the panels and not to buy random stuff.
Which means that despite the huge attendee numbers, this is not the show for a small indy gal like me. As my BFF said, you can adapt or you can die. Can you imagine a company not having a website or email in this day and age? Are they Luddites? Do they not care about getting my business?!? When people take photos of me, my booth or my product, I encourage them to tag me! All of this helps get the word out about me and my table…and all of it is for free.
Why would I ever complain about free advertising???? My dad has owned his own small business for over 25 years. For years and years I told him to get a website and have an online presence. All that is great…but then profits started dropping and these loyal customers found other, more convenient companies to do business with. After a lot of thinking and talking to other businesses, my dad finally got a website, an email address, and an automated ordering system.
Adapt or die. Like Like. Fenny, great article I just sent you a friend request on Facebook. You and I have almost identical thoughts and experiences at similar shows we have both attended Baltimore and Heroes Con, specifically. The only differences are minor at best. I treat it as a feet store. I want my convention table to look like a nice, professional and inviting store. I see way too may artist alley tables that try to put everything under the sun on their little foot area of space that the table looks too cluttered and resembles something akin to a thrift or dollar store.
Sometimes, less is actually more. But I used to be a caricature artist so I have LOTS of experience drawing in and around a live crowd so I am always able to keep one eye on drawing and one eye on the crowd. I also love your attitude about looking for your banners in the background of other cosplayers. The other thing I try to do in order to prevent a lot of drawing at a show is I offer pre-convention sketch prices on all of my social media sites.
That way, i have plenty of time to do the commission before the show and I just have to wait until the person drops by my table to pick it up. PLUS… usually, I sometimes get such a response, the pre-con sales end up paying for my table even before the show starts!
There are parts to this article I agree and disagree. I do agree the major cons like SDCC may not be an appropriate venue for artist alley tables. Perhaps creators and indie folk can focus on the smaller venues to interact better with the solid fan base rather than the casual audience.
Reblogged this on Melissa A. Gibbo and commented: Excellent blog post. Give them a follow, too. You are no longer just a store but an experience. Nerf gun target contests where you win a cheap free button, any sort of fun photo op, or free really bad drawings of yourself is enough to make you more than just a table trying to sell you stuff.
Awesome article. Makes me wish I could get away from this cubicle more and man a booth covered in things I made. And often, the act of live drawing can start a conversation or lead to another commission sale.
People LOVE to feel like they are getting a deal, so give them one! The artist I stumbled upon at ECCC and now follow happily lured us in with a promise of a free sketch.
Travis Hanson from BeanLeaf Press I was so happy that we have bought 15 prints and supported two kickstarters. I love that you have a variety of items. That is important to me, as I am the 30 year old mom with the budget of a 14 year old, still trying to find art and get gifts. SO when I find an artist I really like its really refreshing to see the smaller ticket prices.
I can buy something and then remember them better for when I do have the money to make a larger sale. Like Liked by 1 person. Reblogged this on David Miller Photoworks and commented: Words relevant to all artists at trade shows, galleries etc. Yep, agree with a lot of that. You gotta engage the punters. Stand up, make eye contact, say hello. I also find cons expanding into other media is a good thing, as it brings in new people with open minds.
Still, for networks and studios, fan conventions also can be a boon for free publicity, though some — like AMC — have toyed with creating their own events to get in on the cash grab for lucrative brands like Walking Dead. Ultimately, say sources, many back down to maintain talent relationships. Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman is said to have strongly opposed the idea, prompting AMC to retreat from the space.
As long as that happens … we should all be able to make a living and the money will come. Television, frown at talent accepting payment for appearing at events. A-listers can judiciously attend paid fan events without damaging their brand or impacting their ability to command a seven- or eight-figure payday. A version of this story first appeared in the Oct.
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