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 ]

[Moe SahChan]

Those are really neat, but I don't think they'll sell very well. People just don't have the resources to tote around miniature sculptures around, and most likely, they'll break at the convention (you know how rowdy things get...).

If you offer shipping, people might buy. I think your skill level is definitely marketable, but for conventions, it's a matter of...well, conventionality XD Your products are unique, though, so I think you have a chance.

[[Kako]]

If you just bring some padding to wrap them in when they sell, I think they'd be fine. People avoid having things shipped because cross-country shipping costs are not fun. D:

[R a i r e n]

i think it would be a better idea too to sell sculptures of characters that do not have their own figurine already.. (Like Roxas already has his own figurine)

I think it might not sell as good as prints and stuff like that, but hey you never know and plus it'd make your table different from others? surprised

[0000loser00000]

I'm going to have boxes and padding for the sculpture to go in when someone buys them, though these things are pretty strong. They can handle being dropped onto a wooden floor and all.

But I really appreciate all of the input.<33

[Vicemage]

I agree with the padding suggestions; I have actually seen figures for sale, and I know that when I personally have bought something bulky, fragile or otherwise difficult to carry, I generally take it back to my hotel room as soon as possible, rather than attempt to carry it around with me.

[[Kako]]

Whoo, legal bumpedness!

[LilythescorpioDA]

i know a lot of online printing places were mentioned. does anybody know one that's especially good for larger prints (like 16x20" wink ?

thanks!

[[Kako]]

I can't think of any that were mentioned specifically for larger prints, sorry. D:

[[Kako]]

Bump up! biggrin

[Kaffeyne CINO]

Bump? I found this thread really useful btw XDD..

Does anyone know what to do about first table jitters/ nervousness. I'm feeling terrible anxious even when it's only 2 months away >w<

[Moe SahChan]

tehlam

Bump? I found this thread really useful btw XDD..

Does anyone know what to do about first table jitters/ nervousness. I'm feeling terrible anxious even when it's only 2 months away >w<

What do about them? Don't have them XD

If you're feeling nervous, just talk to people. If you've got a friend with you, talk to them. When people ask questions about your art, just answer them politely and stuff. It helps a lot if you really interact with people, though. My first AA, I drew a picture of a catboy and added some blank lines next to it with sort of a "name me!" game going on. Little things like that can bring interest towards your table. Also, talk to the other artists in the AA. Chances are, you guys can relate to a lot of stuff, since everyone's an artist. =3

Focus on having fun, not about selling. Making money should come naturally as people get interested.

[[Kako]]

*yawn* legal bump. =_=

[akasha isoled]

bump

[Adeliont]

Useful thread tag! :3

[Gothamiteknight]

I'm looking forward to hopefully HOPEFULLY getting a table at the local con again this year. *so excited* I had my first artist alley experience last year. Woo, what an experience that was. I must've knocked over my entire display a thousand times, much to the annoyance of everyone next to me. However, I must have been a source of amusement because I made friends with the people next to me and we traded arts. biggrin

Ah, well, here goes, hope this helps. 3nodding


Part B- Preparing to sell:
1. What sort of merchandise would you advise selling?

Prints! Prints sell the most. Bookmarks and small things. Commissions are probably the second largest money-maker, at least from what I've seen, if not the first.

2. What sort of merchandise would you advise against selling?

Big things. I tried to sell t-shirts but only one person was interested. I didn't sell any of my big stuff and I had cafepress type things like t-shirts and journals and even a wall clock.

3. What sort of stuff sells best?

Like I said, prints and commissions. That and bookmarks. I sold them for a dollar or gave them away if the person was an especially great customer. Buttons are nice too but I had a ton of competition, there was one table with nothing but buttons. I was like, aw nuts. crying

4. Where would you suggest going to get things printed?

I went to a local printer and they were great, it was a more personal relationship and they knew how desperate I was to get stuff printed, and they keep my CD there so I can call in and order more if I need it. Key note: MAKE SURE YOU ORDER WEEKS IN ADVANCE! I almost didn't make it cause I waited at the last second.

5. If printing at home, what preparations should one make?

Didn't do it.

6. How far in advance should one have one's merchandise finished?

WEEKS. I am a major procrastinator and I nearly had a heart-attack trying to rush everything. Rushing will not help with the nerves of going to your first con. At least a week before, everything should be ready. (Now, to take my own advice...XD)

7. Anything else?

Have price-tags or a price-sheet ready. People will just skim your table and if things don't have a price they might not bite.

Part C- At the Con:

1. How early should one arrive to be sure of reserving a good table?

If this is actually referring to physically going there and not reserving via internets: I was late to the con the first day (about an hour) and I was freaking out cause I thought they might give it away. However, it was perfectly fine and I don't think everyone was even there yet. But I do suggest going an hour early to set up and maybe get to know the people around you a bit.

2. When setting up one's table, what sort of layout would you suggest?

Tall things in back--set up posters or what have you so that people can see your stuff from far away. Make sure there's a space in the middle you can draw. Prices--clearly visible. And small items in the front but in a place YOU CAN SEE THEM because buttons and bookmarks might 'walk away'. Have a portfolio in the middle--that was big at the con I went too, everyone was looking at each other's portfolios.

3. There are some pretty bratty congoers out there. How would you suggest dealing with assholes?

Didn't happen to me, so maybe I should look this one up. Everyone was pretty nice.

4. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. What issues should one be prepared for when running a table at the Artists alley?

CHANGE. I did not have enough change when I first started, all I had was what was in my wallet and some small bills I scraped from my family, lol. However, I was incredibly lucky and did not need it. I ended up getting all the change I needed from people who bought stuff. This isn't exactly the best way to go about doing this because a lot of people will probably use twenties, so make sure you have enough of everything. Also, in your prices sometimes it's best not to use cents and coins so you don't have a lot of jingle to worry about.

And stuff falling down. Dude, you would not believe the number of times I knocked my stuff off of the table. Bring sturdy supports if you have art or displays standing up! Also, I was juggling my stuff and it was only with the help of three family members I was able to get it all there. Bring a big box or one of those plastic tub things with wheels, that way it's all organized and you've got everything you need in there and you don't have to carry a billion bags like I did. I had the plastic tub on the second day and it made all the difference (with time, too, I was able to set things up faster. People will just walk by your table if you look like you aren't set up, and there goes customers.) Make sure you finish commissions on time, if you can, as well. Watch your lockbox and don't leave anything unattended, even if you just have to pee.

5. Anything else?

Food! Plan what you're gonna do for food. Some cons I think might not let you eat but we were lucky since the concessions was in the same room. I used my plastic tub container to put my food on and basically ate 'in the back'.


More Questions:
+How many prints should I have? I'll probably only have, at most, about ten pictures that I'll be selling, but I have no idea how many are likely to sell.

I had no idea of this either at first so I got like 10 to 20 of each, I think. I still have a ton leftover. However, these made great presents this year. The things I thought would not sell well--sold out. And the ones I thought would sell well--did not. So sometimes you never know. I'd say pad the fan art ones a little more because they often tend to sell more.

+Should I have a display?

Yes. It makes you look more professional and ready to sell. Every time I walk around the Alley I notice those tables faster and gravitate towards rather than the tables with just a portfolio and drawing utensils. A sign with your prices and your commission prices will be great. I'm pretty obnoxious with my display, I had a colorful Pirates of the Carribean tablecloth and I dressed up as a pirate. The last day I brought out my giant Tails stuffie (this thing is like 4 ft tall) and it ended up getting so much attention. People stopped by and took pictures with it. Hey, it brought enough attention to land my picture in the paper. xd Ah, of all the shameless marketing techniques.

+Should I have numbered prints?

I haven't done this yet so I don't know. I didn't number mine because I don't want to retire them.

+What sort of prices are people usually willing to pay, IN GENERAL?

I think from about $5 to $10, I've seen. I think I charged $7 and it was pretty much the median price.

+Glossy or matte paper? Matte. Personal preference, I think glossy looks cheap.