Artists Alley Information Thread

Selling at Cons is best during the...

Spring	11.6%	[ 83 ]
Summer	30.3%	[ 217 ]
Fall	7.0%	[ 50 ]
Winter	5.3%	[ 38 ]
Any time!	45.7%	[ 327 ]
Total Votes:			[ 715 ]

[Kyousouka]

Cetriya: They're not in the same room because then it would be unfair to charge dealers premium rates while artist get much cheaper tables.

Then there's the noise issue...

I personally don't like combining the two, but I do think that having the AA on the way to the DR is a good idea (but still separated by a wall).

[Cetriya]

Kyousouka

Cetriya: They're not in the same room because then it would be unfair to charge dealers premium rates while artist get much cheaper tables.

Then there's the noise issue...

I personally don't like combining the two, but I do think that having the AA on the way to the DR is a good idea (but still separated by a wall).

I dont think dealers would have a problem because they get a much bigger space, more perks, and official merch (well most of them) so they get an automatic captive audience.

this noise issue... I dont get what everyone is talking off. megacon always has practically the whole con in one room, didnt have a problem with the noise at all. I still got to chat with many people, maybe I have a large voice?

[Kyousouka]

I can't speak for dealers, but the few I've chatted with have favoured a separation of DR and AA on the grounds of exclusivity. Apparently having the AA too close really does hurt sales.
I'm guessing when you have a situation where people just want items of a certain character, they're more likely to just get the cheaper AA stuff than official merch? And I imagine those people are quite common, but most of them go to the DR without realizing they can find similar stuff in the AA? *shrug* I only go to the DR for Figmas and porn myself.

At every con I've been to, the DR was deafening and I could not stand to be in it for long, I would always make quick rounds and leave as soon as I could. I do have slightly more sensitive ears than most, though :/
I have a hard time talking in the Alley because I can't hear people when the ambient noise is high, and being in/near the DR would make it impossible for me to communicate and thus make sales.

[Cetriya]

I thought offical merch was cheaper then fan made stuff? I know posters are a lot cheapr then prints thats for sure. lol I cant believe that they're actually intimidated by us when most of the con head straight to them.

no, I think i know how you feel, now that I remember, momo con there was this one loud dealer that I had to walk up and tell them to put down the music. Megacon/awa has really really high ceilings and the artist alley have enough space away from the dealers.

[Kyousouka]

Posters, books, etc are generally cheaper in the DR (with the exception of a few artists I will not name...), but things like keychains are not. The AA also has other things that are attractive to buyers but are not available as official merch (many kinds of buttons, bookmarks, etc). And AA stuff is cheaper and often cuter or otherwise more attractive (not to mention more varied in style, which some appreciate).
I don't know whether the DR is intimidated by print/posters sales... it could be. Even though most cost more than official ones, they're usually better made and often have prettier art.
Another thing is that many fans of a particular show have already seen all the official art, and might be less interested in it than a rendition of their characters that's fresh to them.

The AA is not a huge threat (dealers still make a much larger profit), but they don't want to risk even 5% of their profits, At least that's my guess.


Most of the noise is just people talking, can't have that turned down D: Music has never been a problem.

Once small con I went to had the AA and DR in the same room and that was actually really good, but that's because the DR was tiny and the con was so small the an AA had no chance if it was separate.

[Cetriya]

if what people want is a varied of style or stuff that there's no official version of then the AA being in the DR wouldnt make much difference. Arent the keychains different materials though? Like metal instead of laminate? then again, I know most people would rather buy the cheaper version then the higher quality, with the exception of prints.

oh I see, I love the sound of people talking, I can fall a sleep to it.

[Seijaku_Ishida]

Ohayocon updated it's rules/info section. Apparently this time they are phasing fanart out completely.

[StarMasayume]

Hmn this should be interesting since the con I'll be at this weekend I had to get a spot in the dealers room because the artist alley sold out. Maybe because it's a smaller two-day con the price wasn't a huge difference if I stuck with the basics and I'm splitting with my friend. Curious how it'll impact sales.

If I cover my expenses and make a profit, I usually (well almost always) allocate some of it to get some dealer room goodies myself. I'm sure I'm not the only artist who does this. We're still con goers like everyone else smile

I've never really noticed bookmarks much at the dealers room. The keychains or buttons I get are usually like the cool figurines or metal ones (not something you'd find in the AA). Posters are much bigger and cheaper in the DR. I agree with what's been said. I think the AA is more novelty, to see different art styles of characters and pick up some little nick nacks of things they might not find in the DR. It's kinda a nice feeling chatting with artists and buying something they've personally done.

[Cetriya]

Seijaku_Ishida

Ohayocon updated it's rules/info section. Apparently this time they are phasing fanart out completely.

Its all cool

StarMasayume

Hmn this should be interesting since the con I'll be at this weekend I had to get a spot in the dealers room because the artist alley sold out. Maybe because it's a smaller two-day con the price wasn't a huge difference if I stuck with the basics and I'm splitting with my friend. Curious how it'll impact sales.

If I cover my expenses and make a profit, I usually (well almost always) allocate some of it to get some dealer room goodies myself. I'm sure I'm not the only artist who does this. We're still con goers like everyone else smile

check to see if you get a table or if you have to bring one your self. most cons have the dealers bring their own tables and stuff.

I dont usually spend money back into the DR unless its something rare that i've always wanted or really cheap on sale of stuff that I'd like to have. For the most part, the money goes back into my art, cons, website and buying artbooks online

[Vicemage]

Cetriya

check to see if you get a table or if you have to bring one your self. most cons have the dealers bring their own tables and stuff.

...Cetriya... no offense, but just what cons are you going to? EVERY con I've attended provides tables for the dealers.

[Kyousouka]

All the money I make goes into supplies for my comic, future cons, etc. I don't get to see any of that money for my own wants. Maybe if I ever start making more money, I might.

Edit: Seconding Vicemage. I've never seen a con that had you bring your own tables for the DR.

[StarMasayume]

Yeah it does include one table (larger sized than artist alley). Prices do raise depending on how many tables or spaces you get of course, but sticking with the minimum wasn't too bad. That would be interesting though... it'd be like a pow-wow on the floor selling wares lol.

Yeah always have to keep that art fund to keep things going xp I think I'm just bad at resisting anime goodies. Hopefully I can keep myself reigned in. Don't have a job again so a little pocket money would help.

[Cetriya]

Vicemage

Cetriya

check to see if you get a table or if you have to bring one your self. most cons have the dealers bring their own tables and stuff.

...Cetriya... no offense, but just what cons are you going to? EVERY con I've attended provides tables for the dealers.

lol, well I've read some cons only rent the tables for additional fee, craft fairs dont give tables, and I remember googling up NYCC stuff and seems they dont give tables.

StarMasayume

Yeah always have to keep that art fund to keep things going xp I think I'm just bad at resisting anime goodies. Hopefully I can keep myself reigned in. Don't have a job again so a little pocket money would help.

yeah I remember that about you, you're not as bad as this one girl I sat next too. as soon as some one handed her a bill she'd get up and buy something and then come back to her table.

[StarMasayume]

Yeah I'm not that bad sweatdrop I'm at least conscious of how much I need to break even and what I need to save. I have some money saved up but it starts to drain fast when you don't have that weekly paycheck xp I'm somewhat glad I've had enough free time to prepare and get stuff done now. Despite being hectic it's always a lot of fun doing the artist alley and meeting people ^__^

[Chibi faery]

Star! Will you be at Metrocon?