
Some information you should be sure to keep in mind or with you at all times during the convention:
1. Contact information
2. Pencil and paper. You may want to jot down the names of people who come by. Or at least keep track of the number of people expressing interest.
3. Make sure to visit the ATM *before* you come to the convention. The
line for the ATM at the con is usually very, very long by the end of the day, and you don't want to be stuck in the ATM line for 30 minutes.
4. f you like taking photos of cosplayers and have a camera, call cosplayers
over and take their photo. If they're in the mood for shopping, often they'll
stay for a while and look at your stuff. If they don't, no big deal: you
still get some great picture.
5. Change.
6. Your sense of humor - Absolutely essential.
Basic Etiquette:
Be sensitive to fellow creators and convention organizers by doing the
following:
1. clean up after yourself. Trash disposal may not occur anywhere except a
designated trash can.
2. Arrive On Time.
3. Eat food and drink drinks AWAY from the table. Noone intends to ruin the products being sold at the table, however, accidents ALWAYS happen. Water is a suitable drink tableside if it is in a sealed container. (no cups please). Take into consideration the damage that even water can do to a fellow members products and drink with discretion. Please Eat and drink all other products away from the table in designated consumption areas.
4. Minimize the non-product items tableside. Keep purses, jackets, drinks,
etc. out of sight. Keeping non-product items under the table is a general
method used for the sake of keeping the table appearance clean. Never leave your items unattended.
5. Keep personal conversations to a minimal volume. This includes phone calls at the table, although you are suggested to refrain from telephone conversations while at the table.
Basic Selling Tips:
At the table, you are representing yourself as a brand. These suggestions help you sell yourself and your products more effectively...
1. Smile, ALWAYS. It will attract customers and instill the comfort level
they need to hear more about you and your product.
2. Introduce yourself and ask the other person what their name is. (in
general, people value their own names and rightfully so! If you make a point to call that person by their name, they will more easily see you as a friend out of an entire convention of strangers.)
3. Relate to the person. The only way to do this, is to observe and ask
about what they like relating to the comics industry. Their response will
determine what products you sell them. Remember that, although the individual with which you are speaking may not be a customer, if they walk away with your good impression, they just may send their friends over :)
4. Make it a point to know where relevant areas of the convention are. Such
locations would be the nearest restroom, the nearest food vendors, the
exits. You never know when you will snag a customer simply because you were courteous enough to gladly help them with their needs. Remember, the best time to help someone is when they don't ask for it, but you can see that they need it, so be observant!
5. Be willing to talk to the customer about things other than the product
you are trying to sell. General interest in the customer will set you apart
from every other vendor who simply wants to make the sale. The best way to attract customers is just be open, warm, inviting, and accessible. Talk to
anyone and everyone. Give your attention to whoever is with you; don't
always be looking to get somewhere else.
6. Make friends with the people at the tables near you. You can trade off watching each others' table in the event of an emergency, entertain each
other during the slow times, trade tips, trade off running to grab food, buy
dollar bills from each other when you run out of ones, and warn each other
when That Creepy Guy is heading your way. If you have a problem with your neighbor, don't start or let yourself get dragged into drama. Artists talk to each other and you don't want a bad reputation spreading around the con circuit. Remain calm, and ask the artist alley staff to deal with it. Plus, everyone has to pee eventually.
7. You don't have to passively sit there and wait for people to stop at your
table. Well, you can if you want to, but you're missing the chance to sell.
It's fairly simple, too: be friendly. Make eye contact with passers-by,
smile at them, and say hello. Ask them how their con has been, or compliment their cosplay. Talk, laugh. If you look like you're having fun, people will want to come to you.
8. Something that attracts people, although you'd probably never have
guessed it, is to stand up behind your table. If you don't believe me, try
it,
9. Relax, enjoy, be a fun person. Don't force it: don't push yourself or
your work. Just make people think, "Wow, that's a nice, intelligent person"
and trust that they'll track down your work. in short, have fun.