Conventions!

[missHAQU]

So I just signed up for a table at a tiny convention near me next month and I was wondering if anyone who’s had a table in the past has any advice? I had a table at an art fair last month and that turned out pretty badly so I’m trying to avoid that. Also what conventions do you go too? I’m looking at getting a table at a few others this year ‘cause I always thought it would be fun ^_^ but the main convention I go to is Otakon and even if I can still get a table there I think it might be too crazy as I’m just starting out. Plus hotels there are expensive!! XD so do you know of any cons or even fairs that would be good for someone who’s new to this? Also some cons offer half tables is that any good or is it better to spend the extra money to get a full one? And for people who just have gone to cons but never had a table what attracts you to a table or someone’s items?

[dollphinwing]

I usually get a table with my boyfriend at a small one day con in jersey. sharing a table is good for beginners cuz it will be good to have a friend and if you need someone to watch your things while you go to the bathroom or get food. I'd try to share a table with a friend cuz most people are kind and friendly but you never know who else is gonna be there.

as for advice I'd say try to make your table stand out. maybe have special price deals near the end of the day. What I like to do is stand out next to our table and say hello to people passing by. I'm always wearing a costume so people will want to take my picture, thus coming to the table.

[missHAQU]

I didn't even know they had one day cons! that is interesting. Thanks so much for the advice ^_^ a costume is a great idea, I'll have to see if I can pull something together. I know I have a Yoko (from Gurren Lagann) cosplay but that would be way to cold in February lol

[schin]

Yup, it's a good idea to have a table buddy. It's a pain to sit behind a booth all day, and you will want some walking around time, bathroom breaks and food runs too. A table buddy will help take care of your stuff or even sell for you when you're off.

Try to have a nice, presentable table, use a tablecloth to make things neat and you can even have displays too. Last day sales are good too, but I find that if you tell people that, they will go away and try to come back on the last day to buy it.. and sometimes they will forget or the item will be out of stock. Therefore, I never have last minute sales unless the item is less than perfect, then I will have a discount.

And above all.. remember to bring business cards and change :)

[mixedmayhem]

I've been to Otakon before, and it seems to kind of be a tough crowd to make sales at unless you've a rather large following of people. Might've just been the year I had been there, or the fact that it was my first and only year to do the artist alley at Otakon in particular. It didn't exactly help that my table was in the very, very back of the hall. Haha. Hopefully your luck will be much better than mine, should you attend that particular convention. I find that the local conventions I attend I am usually much more profitable, though that may be because I have people show up specifically looking for me. That certainly does not hurt. That and the expense of traveling is much lower.

I certainly recommend taking a friend or two to help you out. Sitting at a table all day is kind of tiresome, and you never want to leave your table unattended.

If you're totally new to convention going, I'd also recommend sharing your table with another artist maybe? I took an artist friend of mine the first year I had a table at A-kon. Figuring things out together was better than my doing it all by my onesie.

Though another note on anime conventions in particular ~ I've noticed that the crowds tend to be different at each one. For example, A-kon tends to draw a larger, wide-array of people audience wise, but the smaller convention I usually attend, AnimeFEST is a bit more laid back, as are those whom attend. Otakon for me, was just kind of... different. Not sure how to quite put it in words, really, but each con that I've attended has had a different feel to it, if that makes any sense at all. Take note of the crowd, what they're drawn to, and try to gear your merchandise towards those interests if you can.

In short, get to know your customer base. Networking with other artists while you're there is also a fantastic bonus of being in the artist alley. So yes, yes, I agree with schin: take lots of business cards, and plenty of change!

[Former_Member]

Hi amberhlynn!
I've been doing conventions and art shows here in Denver for a few years and it is always a blast! I've been to MileHi Con and NDK (Nan desu Con).
As others have mentioned already: make and print lots of business cards with links to your DA and shop here and give them to everyone!

I usually put stuff in the art show as well as being in artists alley. Spiting a table with a friend is a good way to keep the cost down.
I usually have several large prints posted on a PVC pipe rig we clamp to the table to get people's attention and organize smaller prints in a binder for people to look through. I keep the prints from the binder and the ones above behind the table ready to go in plastic sleeves so when someone finds one they like I can give it to them without having to replace the prints in the binder.

Printing small sketchbooks with lots of different pieces seem to work well sometimes. Lower priced items ($5-$20) seem to do much better than large high priced originals most of the time. (Put those in the art show if they have one!)

I never make a fortune going to Cons and shows but I always have a blast and networking with other artists is the best!

[missHAQU]

thanks so much everyone! I guess I need to hunt down more people to help me, lolz. And for display pieces I was playing around with my old k'nex and I actually think they could work for making stands to hang jewelry and for keeping my lager art so people can go through them easily. I just have to spray paint them so they're not so multi-colored and distracting. Has anyone ever heard of someone using k'nex like that? I'm just trying to avoid buying stuff if I don't have too.

schin, change is important! I must remember that, the art fair I was at I forgot to bring any (not that it ended up mattering lol)

mixedmayhem, yeah otakon seems pretty crazy for artists. I think one of my friends did okay there once but the hotels and everything there are so expensive I doubt there could have been too much profit. Plus there's so much else to do so I'm sure tons of people skip going to the artist ally. I'm gonna look for more small cons at first then. thanks!

DragonFogStudios, for the small sketchbook you mentioned is that something you print out and bind yourself? 'cause I got a book of my photos printed from lulu.com for a art-show once and although people were interested in getting a copy they were just too expensive. But if it's something I put together myself that sounds like it could be fun!

thanks again everyone!

[Former_Member]

Rofl - I think K'Nex spray painted is a GREAT idea! It will make you stand out and it's so fun!

I did Anime Boston one year. It was a ton of fun and super successful. The people sitting around me really made for me because they weren't all big name people (Okay, well Crybringer was to my left and I had to spend the whole con trying not to faint at his greatness! Look him up on DA if you don't know who I'm talking about!).

I made a fitted table cloth so it wouldn't move. It was adjustable so that it tied in the back and had a long part in the front. I also had several displays and then a big binder of pictures of things so not everything had to be out. I had a bowl of candy (Wrapped candy only!) because people like candy and my hand printed business cards.

I heard that people trying to sell art there had a really bad time. The girl sitting next to me was supposed to be helping her friend sell her art, but her friend never came. She decorated the table with hot pink tape (That she just so happen to have in her backpack because she worked at the Rock Horror Picture Show... it was boob tape) and she pulled out a stack of index cards and markers. The whole con she sold $1 drawings of whatever the person requested. She knew a lot of animes, but if she didn't know the character they had to bring a picture. She made more money that way then any of her friends who were selling their big fancy prints. Index cards and washable markers!

The next year I went I didn't get a table in time which turned out to be super lucky. They ended up movie Artist Alley to allow for more tables, but since it was on a floor all by itself with nothing else around it, no one really went to it and it turned out to be a huge flop!

[OPelaez]

I've been selling my art at the MoCCA Fest. Lots of change is SO important. I sell with a bunch of people I went to art school with. It helps with the cost of the table being so high. Plus, the convention is local to me so I don't have to worry about hotels and all that. Your displays should be set up so that it is easy to flip through. People like to look at and touch what you have. Business cards are important to have. 2 for 1 sales are nice. If you can get yourself a big banner that helps draw attention and makes you seem a bit more professional. It's nice to have a good range of products with varying prices so that if someone likes your stuff but can't afford an original piece, then they can buy a print or button or sticker. Be attentive and smile/greet your customers. Conventions aren't only nice for selling stuff but for networking. Most of all, relax and have fun. Don't stress over sales. It'll all happen if you are engaging and have a good product. And if not, it's a learning experience for next year.

[Former_Member]

I have not made any of the sketchbooks I mentioned myself, but a friend of mine who does extremely well at Cons had some printed up last year -I beleive she had them professionally printed online, but most small print shops will probably do it for you, or you could do it yourself on plain 8.5x11 paper in landscape format stapled in the middle if you have a stapler large enough. I would not recommend FedEx office for this(or for anything really) because they can get very pricey with this sort of thing.

Here is a link to the sketchbooks my friend has in her shop if you want to see them for yourself :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60932500/kamakru-2010-sketchbook

[missHAQU]

iamadecoy, that's so cool I've ever been to Anime Boston but a lot of my friends have. And that girl selling the little sketches sounds like it would have been popular! guess it's a good thing her friend didn't show lol. I hate when they hid artist allys! the one at Otakon is pretty hard to find unless you know where you're going... but that might just be me lol. I'm thinking about doing AnimeNext and that actually is moving their artist alley to busier spot by the dealer's room and main events do that could be good.

deeterhi, great advice thanks! I really must remember change! that's one of those things I'd forget especially when it come to the last day. once I forgot my con badge for otakon and didn't realize until I was in Baltimore and had to drive an hour back to get it :(

DragonFogStudios, thanks for the link! That really is a great idea, I love books! And her's isn't that expensive lulu's were like $50 each although they did have more pages it was still ridiculous. I'll have too look into doing that someday ^_^

for people looking for more con advice I found this guide the other day: http://www.projectbluerose.com/tutorials/anime-convention-artist-alley-survival-guide/ and it's really awesome and comprehensive.

[dollphinwing]

just wanted to mention that if you go to a big con I'd watch out for shiny desu. they took up like 14 tables at otakon one year or something like that, I don't know the full story but I saw them having 2 tables at New York Anime Fest.
Also stacking cubes are good for your table, that's what my boyfriend and I use. we had PVC pipe the first year and it looked kind of pathetic lol
here's what they look like:
http://www.asseenontvguys.com/productimages/as_seen_on_tv_guys_2/stacking-cube-set.jpg

[IllustratedbyNikki]

I can't really say anything. I've been a dealer at two but I live in the UK not the US and I'm pretty sure the USA has a better outcome for cons and sales '^^

[schin]

Lol! People are still talking about shiny desu? All I gotta say is if your booth is somehow near them... try asking the alley manager if you can sit somewhere else. Serious.

Another note.. if you're selling jewelry, try to lay out your jewelry on the table. I love to buy jewelry at cons, but for some weird inexplicable reason, if they're hanging up all nice and neat on the display, I'll feel weird touching them and messing them up. But if they're laid on the table, I will be more courageous in picking them up and trying it on and considering purchasing. Just speaking for myself though..

[missHAQU]

shiny desu? Is that some group of artists? 14 tables is ridiculous! I shall try to avoid them thanks for the heads up! ^_^

dolphinwing thanks! those cubes are really cute they'd be great for display!

NikkiWynne, UK con's sound like they'd be cool! I'm sorry you're turnout isn't as good there. I'd go if it wasn't so far lol.

shichin, that's a great idea! I am selling jewelry along with other things, I don't think I'll have enough room to have everything on the table instead of hanging up but If I put a few things out maybe shoppers would be more willing to touch the ones hanging up too. I'll have to experiment ^_^ thanks!

[AtticRaiders]

I travel across Canada attending shows each year and I'll be opening up more shows to attend in the USA next year (2012).
Because I'm a steampunk artist, I have had much luck transferring between different types of shows (anime,comic,steampunk,general,etc).Thinking bout the type of show you would like to go to, where it is, how much it will cost to get there and how much merchanidse you'll need to have with you to cover those costs is important and helps avoid poorly fitted shows to your work. KNowing your target audience is also important to keep in mind and thinking about what they might like (as well as yourself) is important to the overall enjoyment of the convention experience.

Somethings I picked up on along the way that I wish I knew when I started:
~Have change. Lots of 1's, 5's and 10's.
~Price evenly and if you can, in whole amounts. Instead of $19.99, a simple $20.00 will do; Does something cost $22.00? Mark it up to $25.00 or down to $20.00
~Have a reciept book.
~Have bags
~Have a ledger of your merchandise so you can check it off as it sells.
~Have tape,scissors ,wire,pens/pencils and extra priceing tags handy.
~Have an extra table cloth to cover your work at the end of the day.
~Have scrap paper handy to jote ideas down
~Always have buisness cards.
~Have some custom order forms handy. A page to write contact info, payment ype, description etc will help you not only look more professional but will keep you organized too.
~Include a 5% (or more) convention fee on top of your average price to help cover costs like hotel, food and travel.
~Have signs that mention you do custom work, do/dont offer refunds, if tax is included in all prices and if things can/cannot be replaced or repaired if damaged.

Some extras that I consider at each show:
~Type of packaging. (Clear bags,paperwrap, bags with bows, boxes, etc.)
~Do I include a thankyou note? I include one if someone spends over $150.00 at my table
~Do I offer a free repair during the convention? I do because I like doing it.
~Should I offer an item to compliment a purchase. I offer free earrings for jewelry purchases over $100.00.
~Should I make something new to debut at my table? I like to do this at major shows that attract over a certain number of attendees.

Hope this info helps and if anyone has questions about what I wrote, I'd be happy to chat ^.^
~Mel :)