As the San Diego Comic Con is quickly approaching, I have written a few tips for vendors attending this event. Some tips may be redundant from this article but I felt they should make the list again as it is very important. These tips of course can be for any convention or trade show event.
1. Have a checklist. This particular event is not only for local artist but for everyone across the nation. It is important to keep a checklist while packing and shipping items. Basic supplies such at tape, staplers and pens should always be on the list.
2. Update your website. Chances are you will be too busy to be on the internet while trying to promote and make sales. Before you leave, make sure your site has the latest information and most recent artwork. Imagine the disappointment of a fellow fan when they go home after walking the floor all day only to see that there isn’t much to look at on your site.
3. More is always better. Always anticipate to have a strong showing. Make sure you carry enough promo cards, flyers, business cards and most importantly artwork. You don’t want to meet that VIP person who can help your business grow even further only to have nothing to give them.
4. Network. Yes, it is about selling but it is also about getting to know other people and what they are doing. You never know who is searching for other creatives to collaborate on an upcoming project. Don’t be a dud. Chat it up.
5. Work on a 30 second sales pitch. You have someone who comes to your booth, what do you say? Nothing because you have no idea or you get nervous and words start to clutter up. Script out a few scenarios on how to approach people. You don’t necessarily have to memorize it word for word but it helps to break the ice.
6. Dress to impress. I’m not saying suit and tie. Instead, look casual and outstanding but at the same time put together. I know we are use to working in our sweats or pajamas but we aren’t at home. I would prefer to see you at your best.
7. Have fun. It’s a convention for Pete’s sake! It’s a place to laugh and enjoy so do it.
Tell me how you prep for conventions.
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We never let anyone leave our booth without taking a business card whether they show an interest or not.
We also keep a stash of snacks because you never know if you’ll be too busy to leave the booth…and a hungry artist is a less than friendly artist!
Belkis, I would add a couple of things
8) Shower, wash, use deodorant, and for the love of Stan, USE SOAP! you would be amazed at how few comic fans seem to understand how far personal hygiene goes to making for a good meeting. I can’t tell you how often I’m astounded at the lack of social awareness many comic fans (and even wana-be pros) come to these things with food stains on their shirts, and smelling like they slept in a dumpster and then ran a mile to get here.
9) If you are a Indie (semi) pro, then you are going to want to not be wearing a t-shirt with someone else’s character on it. You have published with your own character, and you’ve made T-shirts, then proudly wear your own character on your chest, not the main character from the big two (three). This shows your commitment to your own work.
10) When talking to a pro (or your friends) at their table, be aware that they are there to sell stuff, and you really don’t want to stand there for hours blocking the other conventioneers from their turn at the table and the pro’s (or your friend’s) ability to sell from the table.
11) Finally, be aware of your own, ah, size. This works on two levels:
a) Many folks at cons transport backpacks or wheeled boxes of stuff around the con, try to be aware of how much space you are taking up. If you have a pack on, and turn too swiftly you might smack other con-goers with the pack.
b) If you are (and how do I say this delicately?) large even without a backpack, you might want to reconsider the costume you are wearing. I’m constantly astounded at the number of very large people who don, skimpy, form-fitting costumes, seemingly unaware that they far, far too heavy to be wearing that barely-there, skimpy, slave-girl costume. It really isn’t a pretty sight.
Oh yeah, if you are going to wear a costume, keep in mind that everyone is going to go as Silent Bob or Neo, and you might want to try and pick a “less popular” character. Yeah, yeah, I know that these are your favorite, but there must have been 20 or 30 of each of these two characters at the last NY ComicCon I attended.
Other than all that, go, and have fun! It is, after all, a comiccon!
Billy, go point on the snacks! Food is always something that brings people to your table!
Robert, thanks for the additional tips. I love the one with personal hygiene. So true! I can’t believe I didn’t even put that down because this is very important and believe it or not, often overlooked.
Good point about the wearing clothes that fits you. Very often I have seen many people wearing outfits that aren’t made for them. Vendors: Please wear stuff that will make you look great and not have the opposite effect.