Photo courtesy of MTV Games
I love conventions. There is one for tattoos, comic books, music, horror films, etc. This is a great way to meet new people, collaborate with others and expose your art to the public.
Recently, I went to the New York Comic Con where I was excited to see many independent works at Artist Alley. This was also the place where I saw many who needed pointers on how to sell yourself.
My theory is that artist shouldn’t have to worry about selling anything because they should be concentrating on creating something. However, if you have a booth or table at a convention without a sales or marketing team, you agree that you should be selling. Below are a few things one needs to know in order to sell themselves better.
1. Always, always, always have a business card. I know you are trying to sell your latest material but you need to have something with your contact information because not everyone is going to buy your book, poster or cards that has your email, phone number and website.
2. Update your site. So now that you are handing out your business card with your website on it, don’t you think this would be a good time to update your site? Seriously, I kind of don’t want to read that you are making an appearance at the convention…of last year.
3. Say hi. I know most artists are busy sketching but when you see someone who looks slightly interested in your work or even passing by, just say hi. It’s very inviting.
4. Bring your best work. Maybe your most recent project doesn’t show off your best talent but something that you did 7 years ago may be the heart and soul. Remember, if I haven’t seen it, it’s new to me.
5. Make contacts. If nothing else, meet new people. Some individuals have great ideas for projects and you might be that missing link that they have been searching for.
6. Get over the shyness. This is easier said than done and I know this could be difficult but you need to speak up if you are going to be selling. If you don’t feel comfortable, then bring someone who knows your work and can say positive things about you (i.e. spouse, best friend, associate). Either way, you need to let others know who you are. After all, that is why you have a booth. Right?
Other tips anyone cares to share?
This is a great list! I am going to recommend it to my creative friends. I think #4 (bring your best work) is important, but I would also add to showcase that work on your site when you do #2 (er.. I mean Update your Site as in recommendation 2 above).
Wonderful advice, and as always- straight to the point.
You hit it dead one with “just say hi.” This one is a biggee in my book. I tend to sell pretty well at cons simply because I say hello and try to be friendly to people who are passing by — even if they decide not to buy something.
I would add that if you’re a writer, put up a note that you’re willing to look over portfolios for artists. You never know when or where that perfect art partner will turn up.
And if you don’t want to hand out biz cards with personal info on them, have an option handy. For example, I keep my biz cards for networking contacts and hand out postcards with weblinks and portfolio links for the masses. I also do postcards to promote upcoming books that aren’t out yet. Include Diamond info if you have it but at least put some art and the name of the book and the publisher on it to promote upcoming sales for pending books.
Sean,
Awesome advice about the postcard. Postcards tend to appeal to fans while business cards are more for networking and connecting to your next big project.
The ‘just say hi’ one is such a big this. A lot of people shirk at saying hello to strangers, but it makes them feel welcome and not so strange anymore. This is good advice for promoting anything at a fair or con or whatever.
These are great tips Belkis, I think I have just one to add as well… Attitude. One thing is to meet someone who seems confident another is to meet a cocky self indulged artist, I’ve met a few and based on that criteria alone even if they are the new “Michael Angelo” I would not call them for any gigs. The calendar looks great from the few pics i’ve seen Great job to all those artists! Glad you put up this site I’ll be checking in from time to time!!
-Juan
Thanks Juan for your comment. I truly think that your attitude needs to be assertive and not passive or cocky. Great point.
I just discovered this blog about 15 minutes ago and you bring of some very interesting views and insight that I never really thought about throughout the entire site. I just have to say, this place has earned a bookmark.
Great tips Belkis!
Tip #1…Business cards…you’re spot on. One thing to add…make your business card simple and iconic in design to set yourself apart and help the client remember you more.
Tip #2…I’m a serious culprit of this. Belkis is right..update it! I had a client recently go to my website to check out my stuff to review for her bosses and saw it was not updated and some of my pages were underconstruction…so I had to redirect them to my comicspace site which I can update on the fly…I could’ve lost a job there if not for my client contacting me to alert me and find out where else her bosses could see my work. I learned my lesson and am in the process of updating my website.
Tip #3…Definitely make eye contact and say ‘hi’. I learned that from my salesmen days. Most people and even myself are shy to just approach someone especially if you see them working. So I try to always welcome the person at my booth and invite them to ask me any questions while I draw.
Tip #4…For sure…bring your best work! If you have an artist friend before a show…take some time to show them your work and vice/versa. You both can help each other pick out what’s best if you’re iffy on some pieces. A second set of eyes can help.
Tip #5…Network at the cons is a must. Goes without saying. That’s what conventions are for. Business cards, postcards, tear-sheets, photocopies, etc. should be brought to leave with potential clients and collegues.
Tip #6…Yep…don’t be afraid to speak up about your work….if not you…who will?…;)
Thanks Mike for the additional comments. Well said.
Very pertinent !
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This was extremely valuable to me since I have been a long time artist, but never set foot in a convention. Soon I have to do that very thing for the first time. So if you have any more insights like this that you are willing to share please do, and thank you so much!
Erick
Glad you were able to find these tips useful Erick!
You forgot what to do about the unavoidable awkward silence. When the artist says Hi, and the browser and them talk for a moment, and then the browser lingers and the Artist goes back to sketching.
David, Good point. That awkward silence is a great opportunity to hand out a business or tell them to go to your website if they want more information. This is where the browser wants to feel invited.
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I’m worried here! I showed my portfolio for the first time at the Toronto comic convention and one of the inkers there at the table liked the work and told me he’d get me some pages to work on. anyway I get home the next day he sends me a pic of thor and asks me to color it because Im a painter right? So then I finish the work email him a JPEG of it and I havent heard from him since??? no emails no nothing, did I just get screwed? or should I give him a few more days to get back to me? what do you guys think?
Moniz, sorry to reply so late. Did you ever hear back this guy? If not, then you probably will not hear from him again. Remember, never accept a job from someone you don’t really know and if you don’t have anything in writing. Always sign a contract.
Hello,Fantastic blog dude! i am Fed up with using RSS feeds and do you use twitter?so i can follow you there:D.
PS:Have you thought about putting video to this blog to keep the readers more enjoyed?I think it works.Sincerely, Bronwyn Prakash
Hi Bronwyn,
Yes, we are on Twitter. Follow us at @BelkisMarketing.com. We are currently working on revamping the site so stay tuned for new stuff.
-Belkis
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