Some time ago I wrote an article about some tips for people attending a comic convention for the first time. Some friends of mine approached me to ask about advice for attending these events as exhibitors.
As El Comicologo, I can't pass up the exciting opportunity to talk about a place where creativity meets commerce! Imagine being the brains behind your own booth, ready to showcase your passion and products to a captive audience.
But why should you listen to me? For a little over two decades, I've been attending various conventions, both in my country and abroad, so I believe I have the experience of what works and what doesn't to get the attention from the attendees . Additionally, in my secret identity as an entrepreneurship consultant, I've set up many stands for different companies, which translates into experience that helps you!
Are you ready to take the leap to the other side of the convention?
1.Prepare your booth: I always recommend designing a booth that reflects the style and aesthetics of your comic. Make sure it's easy for attendees to see from their perspective. A common mistake is wanting to display all the products we have, which ends up visually saturating your stand and, contrary to what you might think, makes it easier to ignore.
2.Diversify your Merchandise: Stock up on a variety of merchandise items, such as prints, postcards, and calendars, to cater to different tastes and, above all, different budgets. What I mean is: give different attendees the opportunity to take home different products at affordable prices.
3.Payment Methods: Make sure you have different payment methods available, which means having enough change for cash purchases, being able to accept card payments, and mobile payment options like Square or PayPal.
4.Promote in Advance: Use your social networks and website to promote your attendance at the convention well in advance. Similarly, if you'll be participating in any panel or event within the convention, promote it as well.
5.Collect Contact Information: Have a registration sheet or digital device available to collect email addresses and other contact information from interested attendees. This will allow you to follow up with them after the convention.
These five tips are just the tip of a huge iceberg, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, and here are five small ones!If you think I missed an essential one, you can always write to me at elcomicologo@gmail.com.