Welcome to Gaia! ::

Beware!

There are going to be certain things that pop up to torment you while running a table.

The annoying guy that won't go away. They don't mean to be bane on your soul, and I'm certain most of them have real lives, however they won't go away because they think you've bonded and take up time that can be used selling things or networking. You can't tell them to sod off because they haven't don't anything wrong. Solution: whenever a potential customer approaches say "pardon me" and immediately engage the person. After a couple of times of this happening they'll get the hint.

The p***k. They argue. They ask you what the hell you're doing running a table. They compare you to "more established/better" artists and writers. Again taking time away from potential customers. Solution: tell him to go ******** himself. Most likely, you're not the only person he's pissed off, and you may gain a few points in the minds of others.

Significant others. If you can't leave them at home, make sure they know you're working. Some SOs can be very helpful at shows. Others b***h that you're "ignoring" them. Solution: give them money to shop around. If the problem persists, take them aside and tell them point blank, this is work and not a date. Promise them dinner and vigorous sex in exchange for their better behavior.

Reviewing a bad portfolio. It's inevitable. Most portfolios will at least give you something to work with. You can point out the good qualities and them make a couple suggestions. Then there's the ones that are without hope. Example: guy comes up to me with a homemade comic that looks like something I did when I was four. Wants to know what I think, if I'll buy it, and if I'd hire him. Solution: if they are mentally challenged (not joking, it happens) be as kind as possible, say it's really keen and that you're not interested at this time. Wish them luck. If it's a little kid. Give couple pointers, a word of encouragement, and wish them luck. If it's some guy without the sense to know he sucks, take the same route as the retarded guy.

Whoring 301

You've been to the shows, you've ran a table, time to move up the totem pole.

Writers, well, sucks to be you.

There's really two things you can give out. Scripts and plot synopsises. Neither of which have an immediate WOW factor. You're best bet is to team up with and artist. Yes, this does sound like I'm favoring art over writing, and if you are offended by this LEAVE RIGHT NOW AND GIVE UP COMICS!!! As much as I favor goor writing over good art it does not change the fact that it's a hundred times harder to get in as a writer.

If you're a writer without an artist head straight to 302.

Whoring 302.

The art of the shmooze. whee xp

If you talk to a pro, make sure to tell them good-bye as the show winds down. Being friendly helps a lot. If it's a multiple day show (most of them are) and you're headed out for a bite and drink, invite them along.

Tell the folks you talked to that you had a great time. Wish them a safe trip home. Tell 'em that you'll see them at the next show. If you did score an e-mail address be prompt about shooting them a message. Could be, "Hey, had a great time hanging with you at the show" or "Picked up that book you recommended. Thanks again."

If this sounds like the kind of stuff you do if "normal" people, there's a reason. The pros are normal people. Making friends is your best way to get in the door. Friends look at each others work, and help each other out. Friends say, "hey I've got a project, you want to work on it with me."

An editor askes, "I wonder if this guy's any good." Your friend the pro replies, "Yeah, he's a stand up dude. Does good work."

Little late for Halloween, but I'll share this moment in what will probably be series of posts:

Con-monkeys behaving badly. twisted

My crew (B2H Studios) has got a table next the Dan Nokes (21st Century Sandshark). Dan's rockin the candy dish to pull in customers. It's around Halloween, so lots of kids in costumes. Dan was making some of them say "Trick or Treat."

Day 2 of the show, a woman comes to Dan with her kid who looks about 4 or 5. He's got his little costume on. She askes, very politely, "Is that candy for the kids?"

Dan replies, "Sure, it's for everyone."

Lady to her kid, "Would you like some candy?"

The wee tyke slowly reaches for the candy bowl.

And then the lady yanks him back, "WELL YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY!!!!!"

And we all jump up and point at the child, "HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!"

Yes, we did give the child candy. We're still all going to hell. xp

The voice of experience:

I figured I'd throw in my two cents here, a few things that I didn't see that are helpful at a con.

- When you're at you're table, stand. If there's more than one of you, make sure one of you is standing. This is your frontman, your people grabber. People uncomfortable looking down on guys at a table. Try to be at eye-level, talk to people at the same height (or about). It puts people more at ease. I've seen it solved by getting a director's chair so you're sitting at eye-level, with a box propped up on the table with a cloth over it so they can still work.

- When meeting with pros, it helps to have something to talk about other than comics. Don't go all fanboyish/fangirlish. That's not safe ground. You run the risk of being taken far less seriously. Good topics include things at the con that don't directly involve comics (traffic getting here was terrible, buddies are going to House of Blues, etc). Knowing your comics is good, but if the person your talking with has their eyes start to glaze, you want to have something ready that they haven't had to talk about six thousand times already that day. I've done this during portfolio reviews and it's lead to longer conversations that go past the length of the review. They then remember me later and when I'm at a con, they'll wave and becon me over. Why? Because you're not just another geek to them now.

- FREEBEES. It's all well and good to make a profit, but at your booth you want a pile of free stuff to help people remember you later. Postcards are a good option, but get lost easily. Stickers are cheap and easy to make, you can put a web adress or an email on them. Same with pins. One very popular one is magnets. Try to get at least two different images for people to choose from. If you've got a portfolio and you're getting reviews, make xerox copies of your sequential work (SEQUENTIAL WORK) to give to anyone who seems interested, as well as a magnet with convenient email/website.

- Don't be the loud guy. It's one thing when it;s the pirates. But I know a guy where people specifically request not to be seated by him at cons because he's so loud and obnoxious. Music? Bad idea. Standing and calling everyone you see over? Bad idea. What's a good idea?
I was at a con and a guy called me over saying he thought I'd like his book. It was a dark, surrealistic story with a very Burtonesque quality to the art. We've since made contact and continue to greet eachother at cons, and he was right, I do like his book a great deal. How did he know? My bag at the time had a large patch on it with one of Tim Burton's drawings. Keep your eyes peeled on the crowds. Maybe you shouldn't call over people wearing Superman shirts to read your noir crime story, but instead aim for those wearing Sin City.