Convention advice?

[RobboAKAscooby]

So in November I should be on artist alley at Supanova in Brisbane, primarily trying to sell/promote my books/comics but as I know from past visits to Supanova as a customer books aren't the biggest seller so I'll be offering other stuff such as guitar picks & drumsticks (for Maelstrom Heart) and badges/buttons
And of course prints...
This brings me the part where I'd like advice...
From what research I've done so far the biggest seller in prints seems to be fan art of whatever anime/manga is popular at the moment - which is something I don't really do. In fact I don't really do fan art in general (besides some celebrity sketches) although I have done some DC fan art and have plans for a few crossover pieces (Harli from Flying Tigers fighting Doomsday or Max from Sh!t Happens R flying below a stunned Superman or Wind the drummer from Maelstrom Heart meeting Animal from the Muppets) but other than that kind of thing I'd like to avoid fan art.
So I'm wondering what will sell?
I know cheesecake/beefcake - or bishies for the anime fans - pin ups can sell well if done properly, everyone likes half-naked pretty people, but it's pretty dependant on the type of customer.
Also I know art that depicts scenes works better than characters "posing for the camera", something happening in the pic that provokes a reaction from the viewer.
Another possible seller is parodying movie posters (or similar) but that depends on popularity/recognizability.

So yeah, I was wondering if anyone here had any advice?

[MixedMyth]

Honestly, I never really had a lot of luck selling prints unless they're humorous and reference pop culture in some way. I've sold one or two of my more fantasy themed pieces...but that's it.

You might consider doing buttons, though. Some people are fanatical collectors of them and I noticed that most stalls that did have them sold them fairly regularly.

Anyway, I always did much better off of my masks and such than off of prints.

[VinnieD]

Buttons sell the best, but since they're cheap you have to sell quite a few to make your money back, but they do attract attention. Bring a portfolio with examples of your work too. Commissions are my big ticket item. I tend to run mine cheap at $25 for full color, and I get quite a few orders on the first two days of any given 3 day event. You'd be surprised how many people want their RPG character drawn (also furries and if you're willing to draw them they have lots of money).

Prints are what I try to push since while they're not as high dollar as my commissions they're much quicker. Often I promote them with a buy 2 get 1 free sale. It tends to push someone to buy another with the perception of getting something for free. On top of that if you sell a mix of fan art and original art, they may often take a print of original art for their free one, which is a great tool for promotion since they'll wonder what it's from.

I have lots of Megaman prints for example, so if I have a Megaman fan come by they may buy two prints of that, and pick up an Antibunny related print for their freebie simply because they like the character designs. It's a perfect time to pass them a business card, and then since they feel invested in the characters, I potentially just gained a new reader.

Also recently I got myself a thermal laminator, to make custom badges and paper children. Paper children were a big seller at mobicon. Everyone likes seeing their character somehow manifest in the real world. Check out http://paperchild.net if you haven't heard of them.

Now here are some general tips. Go to target and buy a box of "Wire cube organizers" You can use them to make display shelving, and you'll need it. Not only will this let you display things at eye level, but also you're otherwise going to find your table getting small fast.

Bring the following. Duct tape, surge protector, extension cord, zip ties (Your display may need more securing) drawing supplies and lots of paper, scissors (never know when you might want more signage) sharpies (lots of people want their prints signed). white masking tape (good for hanging prints and it comes off without damaging the paper), a big water bottle (you will get thirsty talking to all of these people), and oodles of business cards.

If you don't have any make one. Design something, and print it out on plain paper and cut it up if you have to, but have at least 200 of these for even the smallest of cons. Hand one out to everyone who stops at your booth regardless of if they do or don't buy something, leave stacks of them on tables with flyers, ask the con staff if they will include them in swag bags, give them to your neighbors, slip them in with purchases, thrust them onto random people on the street. Don't worry about running out. Running out of business cards is a good thing. Plenty more where that came from.

Also a cash box is a good investment. You'll want to keep your money safe.

Also most of all MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR! You will be next to them all weekend, and they can either hog all the customers or send more your way depending on how you treat them. I'd suggest getting there early to set up your booth, then offer to help others set up, offer your supplies (everyone needs duct tape), offer to watch tables when someone wants to go eat, and maybe even offer art and merch trades. (typically do this before or after AA hours as not to get in the way of customers). Last con I just plane gave away a fistfull of free buttons to each table neighboring mine (along with some business cards). Getting on the good side of other artists is always a plus. You never know who will be famous in a few years.

[RobboAKAscooby]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'll definitely be having a selection of small cheap items - badges/buttons, bookmarks, guitar picks, stickers - and I've got the business card thing covered although I'll probably redesign it since business card printing is cheap.

I like the buy 2 get 1 free idea, at the last Supanova I picked up an 8 part indie comic set for $20 instead of $3.50 each, freebie promotion I had not thought of.

Commissions are an issue considering how slow I draw but I will certainly consider it if I'm asked.

A lot of the print ideas I've come up with are funny crossovers/tributes (like one I drew last night of the Evil Dead poster with my characters Sammi and Max but Sammi is in the Ash role and Max is the cowering girl) since humour apparently to get the best reactions.
I've been looking at a lot of movie/TV/music posters lately searching for inspiration, trying to find those iconic pop-culture images to play with, and I've noticed that there's not a lot of REALLY ICONIC images being made anymore - most movie/TV/music posters seem to be very similar to their genre peers - and most of the classics have been done to death. *sigh* Guess I'll just have to get more creative about it.
Most of my original prints are scenes as opposed to just pin-ups (not that I don't have pin-ups) I'm aiming for a mix of emotional reactions.

Anyway thanks again.

[MariaAndMichelle]

Embart thinks you should buy Tramadol.

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

Embart thinks you should buy Tramadol.

It's like it's all he can think about. I feel kind of bad for him.

[RobboAKAscooby]

Embart thinks you should buy Tramadol.

It's like it's all he can think about. I feel kind of bad for him.

I have no idea what you're talking about, was this another spammer that I missed or some pop-culture reference I won't understand because I only watch like six tv shows.

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

A spammer. A sad, empty husk of a man.

[robotthepirate]

Yeah! I think you should try Tramadol. Numb the pain of everyone having taken all your buisness cards merely to play "flick the buisness card" at the stall next door.

Wow. Not even thought of doing conventions. Probably should find one local enough to go visit first.

[RobboAKAscooby]

Wow. Not even thought of doing conventions. Probably should find one local enough to go visit first.

I'm only really trying because one of the organisers got a copy of my book and recommended I should try selling it there.