PREPARING FOR YOUR BEST CON
Okay this is a big post but I need to do it.
Just back home in Scotland from Dublin ComicCon.
One thing this weekend left me with is to remember to get fit for your convention!
My body is like a slab of carbonite at the moment. Quite drained and very heavy footed.
So why is that?
I am unfit.
I mucked up and didn’t prepare my body for the con.
Leading up to the con at least 2 weeks before walk everyday each day increasing the time of your walk by 10 minutes minimum.
This will help you get your body ready for being on your feet for extended period of time.
Wait?
Don’t the cons provide chairs?
Yes most do.
But have you ever been to a con and noticed what artists and writers are doing when they are on their butts?
They are not focused on YOU a potential customer who wants to give them money so they can make more comics!
Well rule number one if you actually want to SELL your books.
Never, NEVER sit down!
Get a yoga mat. Roll that bad boy out and stand behind your table.
Rule number 2
Stay off your phone!
Take photos of your table and surrounding area before the con and set up social posts on schedules through out the day. This keeps you focused on your customers and not missing opportunities for sales.
This gives you a huge advantage and you can look people in the eye and make a connection. Mimic body language. Adjust your tone and pitch to the individual . Be positive and remember your book may not be for them but if you are polite with both your time and theirs they may come back with a friend later on or follow your future endeavours.
Ask them Open ended questions and funnel their answers till you have an answer you may have a solution to with a book on your table.
Have 3 different elevator pitches prepared to adjust to their needs in a book but NEVER lie to them about your book. That will come back and bite you in the arse.
Let them know why your book is worth their hard earned money. Compare it to other similar pop culture properties “ If you like this movie then you will like this book”
Other tips
At 2 day cons compliment cosplayers.
Day one they go large on their looks. Day 2 they usually try something else or come back shopping. They can be a pain and block isles on single day cons but manners and compliments go a long way.
Let them know who you are!
Don’t hand out business cards, hand out free prints with your social details / website on the bottom. People throw cards out. People also post prints up on walls. If you have a memorable print and your social details are there that will give the customer an instant connection between and art piece/ project/story and your name.
I have a sign on my table that says “Say Hi and get a FREE print!” This helps even those who are a wee bit socially awkward muster up the courage and engage in conversation.
Now this print is only 120gsm on gloss paper and coloured on one side. But it’s cheap as chips and I have thousands of them. They result in more social followers (which the value of is still extremely debatable) and importantly post con web-store sales!
WATER WATER WATER!
Ditch the coffee, red bull and sugary drinks.
Water and electrolytes are the way to go.
Treat your body like a finely tuned machine and do not get drunk the night before!
You are there to put your best foot forward and get your books into peoples hands.
Odour check.
A can of lynx/axe body spray (or alternative ) on hand is a must. Add mouth wash / mints and hand sanitiser to that list . Keep your self clean and healthy. Heck in a hit event centre a spare shirt does not go amiss either.
FUEL
Pre-packed lunch and snacks. Trail mix, sandwiches, Bananas and other fruit are massively important. Maybe a bit of chocolate to reward yourself should you feel low but not too much.
TABLE PRESENTATION.
You pull up banner should be broken down into thirds.
Top third- your name- your socials- then your titles.
Middle third. Amazing Splash page art or collage of action from your books that best represent you and your “brand”
Bottom third- a continuation of this or nothing at all. It’s behind a table no one should see it!!
On the table.
-Books open on the best pages of art/ splash pages or double page spreads are a bonus . This will invite people to pick them up and flick through more.
-Books at attention. Small collapsible cardboard standees to have your books upright.
Have them closest to you at the back and in front stack those books high and watch them fly.
More books stacked actually helps sales.
You mean business . You are professional . You’ve come prepared.
Don’t have an empty table.
Use a tablet to have a slide show of art from your books. Add animation elements if you can grab that passer-by’s eye.
Battery pack for devices and back up cables.
Already got a battery pack? Great! Now buy another for backup.
Pens/ sharpies. Make sure they work in your book for signatures and other notes. Seriously test them out first . You would be surprised what pens work and what don’t.
Price LIST!
Using the same branding as your banner header.
Type out your items you have for sale and either leave the price bit blank and use a whiteboard marker if you want to be flexible or make them fixed.
Laminate that bad boy. Helps to keep it firm on the cardboard stand.
Small price tags.
Again use your branding and have multiple price point ready that are the length of a A5 sheet but only 1-2 inches across. Laminate them then tuck them into the books you have in front of the table. These are reusable and with the laminate make them firm enough to hold attention.
Lozenges.
You will get a sore throat from talking too much if you follow the above!
I think that’s all at the moment.
But this stuff is some basic key principle stuff for Indy sellers.
Sure some cons you are there to hang with mates but if you are not
Presenting yourself well and giving yourself the opportunity to earn money to make more books then you are wasting that moment, your own time and your own money.