The New Haven Comic & Collectible show was indeed Spectacular! Held at the YMCA hall, it was a cozy convention that reminded me of the ones I went to in Michigan growing up. It was great to meet everyone who stopped by my table! Many thanks to people who bought something - you helped me make back my table money! Pretty good for my second convention. Some things I learned:
1. Be flexible with how you lay out your table. My table wasn't facing the main route of foot traffic. It looks like it's on a corner, but that was kind of tucked away near the exit door. So I couldn't set up with everything at the center of the table. Instead, I moved the attention grabbing items to the corner where the traffic was. To maximize getting people's attention, I put a mindy indy sign on each side of the table and set up The Misfortune Cookie comics at both angles.
2. Don't give away too much for free. At the Bronx Heroes Con, I gave away my Aer Head stickers for free. This time I got the table last minute, so I didn't have time to reorder stickers. So I came up with the idea to only give a free sticker with purchase of an Aer Head mini comic. It's a good marketing device to sell the mini comics, and I also save money on stickers because it costs about $20 for me to print 5 sheets.
3. I may apply the same procedure in #2 to the free fortune cookies as well. I love fortune cookies and I thought it was a good "hook" to get people's attention, but at this convention a lot of people refused the cookies and passed by. Maybe people in New Haven are more health conscious? I may get more buyers for The Misfortune Cookie if I lead with the comic and follow up with the free cookie. And maybe you'll only get a free one if you buy a comic.
4. $40 in small bills isn't enough for change. When the first 3 people give you $20s, this is a problem. Even asking exhibiting neighbors to exchange big bills will only go so far, because they'll be in the same boat. It all worked out, though.
5. Don't pack up early! Foot traffic slowed down about half way though the con, and other exhibitors started packing up around 1:30pm, when it was supposed to end at 3pm. I stayed until the end because I came all that way (3.5 hours) and paid for the table. Near the very end, one guy bought almost one of each item on my table! He even bought a tally hall comic because he was a fan of the band. I was almost going to retire those comics because none sold at the last convention, but I sold 3 this time.
6. Different things sell at different conventions. See above. I also sold 2 Aer Head prints, where I didn't sell any last time. Also, some BRAND NEW items, The Misfortune Cookie Cards, didn't sell at all, but I have hope that they'll sell eventually. The card is like the cover of the mini comic, but with a blank fortune, so you can create your OWN misfortune to give to someone. I also have some examples of misfortunes if people get stuck. It's blank on the inside, so it's versatile for any occasion: birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, or just for fun. I give a choice of black and white or hand colored as well, plus a free colorful envelope. Maybe I need a bigger sign for these or something?
All in all, I'm having a ton of fun getting my work out there and learning on the way! Talking with people, I found myself referring to my Misfortune Cookie Bites web comic as having a "daily misfortune." So now, my friends, I bring you: THE DAILY MISFORTUNE!
