Hey Kids!
This is small press guru Dan Nokes with another hard look at the industry and culture I inhabit and work in. Yup! It’s time for….
THE OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK!
This week?
GETTING PEOPLE TO BUY YOUR BOOK AT A CON: A FEW HELPFUL TIPS
I have been involved in the comic and fan convention scene as a professional for what will be 13 years in October. I have seen that venue and its various parts change dramatically in that time. Technology has improved. Fads have come and gone. Trends have changed altered and swerved back into themselves. One thing that I have noticed that while creators who make actual comic books are still around, they are a distinct minority among geek crafters, fan art print artists, graphic designers, handmade fan clothing designers and a host of other dealers, vendors and other sale and artisan folk at any given type of con.
This can have both advantages and disadvantages. While this influx of different artist and crafter sometimes attracts a crowd that has no interest in comic books. The fact that I and many others are in fact: A minority that we do make comic books also makes us a novelty. Add to that the growing dissatisfaction with “Big Two” comics blandness and myopic approach to much of their comic line makes those who are hungry for something new in the medium, more open to try an independent comic book with a new spin on current convention or tackles new subject matter that the comic medium isn’t well known for.
But as I walk around the convention floor, I see a lot of creators, artists, writers and publishers make the same mistakes over and over again. I’ve been doing this long enough to where I’ve managed to put food on my table and water coming out of my faucet consistently. To where maybe, I can offer a few tips as to how I am able to sell my comic books to an audience that is often weary to try their creative vegetables… Here are a few of my favorites, STARTING WITH:
GET YOUR DAMN HEAD OUT OF YOUR ARTWORK AND ENGAGE WITH YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMER: I see so many young artist/creators with their heads either buried in a sketchpad or IPad, with ear buds firmly fastened, and paying absolutely no attention to attendees hoving into their booth airspace to check out their wares. That to me is the equivalent of when I went into a 90’s record store with no price tags on anything and the kid at the counter is on his Walkman, looking smug and disinterested in trying to answer any question you may have. Now while I am not saying to jump in people’s face. I am telling you to SAY HI, shake people’s hand, tell them your name. Let them know a quick thing about what you do or any specials you may have. Ask them what they like. You are to a large degree, selling yourself. You have to make you seem appealing and attractive enough for these folks to drop 3 to 25 dollars a pop for your book.
WORK ON YOUR INITIAL PITCH: About 2 years before I started my publishing company. I went to Wizard World Chicago along with a great deal of other conventions to try and learn how to make and sell a comic book. I sat on a panel being hosted by Brian Pulido. I will say that that 45 minutes I spent there formed a large chunk of my salesmanship core of how I conduct myself at a convention. One thing he said that stuck with me was that, from the time a potential customer wrangles into your booth’s sphere of influence. You have about 15-30 seconds of their attention to deliver an initial pitch. This is where I see so many creators screw up regally. This is mostly due to the fact that they worked so hard, and so long, and are so impressed with every minute detail, that they want to unload every factoid and nuance of their creation onto whomever steps up to the plate. But with an average con having dozens to hundreds of vendors and so many things to catch their attention, not to mention the age of the internet widdling away the average attention span, you are stuck with about 30 seconds to distill your grand magnum opus, into a bite sized factoid. You have to sum up your creative baby into a one two punch that will grab their imagination and interest. Here is an example of what I do with my book THE PARANORMALS
Initial Pitch:
PARANORMALS: ITS X-MEN MEETS SCOOBY DOO
If that catches them, I expand with my remaining 25 seconds with this:
IT’S AN END OF THE WORLD TALE WHERE YOUR SAVIORS INCLUDE: A FEEBLE MINDED ROBOT, CHAIN SMOKING VAMPIRE, ALCHOLIC WEREWOLF, TEENAGE WITCH, AND ANGRY SCOTTISH DWARF.
That quick pitch can make or break a sale. Give them a visual that makes them want to find out more. Then you can do a few details that separate what you are doing from everything else.
GIVE THEM COMPARISONS: Now I know I hate to compare my stuff to anything else. I want to feel like my books are like nothing else out there. And to a certain degree you should sell what makes you different from everything else. But people also want to feel like there is a sense of the familiar. That they have some idea as to what to expect from your book that they can relate to. Sometimes I go with a quote a reviewer said of my book ADAM AND EVE: BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE IN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. “It’s like WALKING DEAD…But funny” The Walking Dead portion gives visuals and concepts that they know and can relate too. The funny part is the spin on the convention that appeals to their wish to try something new. It’s kind of starting in in the shallow side of the pool, before venturing to the deep end with a new book, as a way to sell to them.
HAVE A WEB PRESENCE: In a day and age where the internet plays such a huge roll in any market. Comic books are no exception. Your average customer has the ability to do a Google search on you and your works at your booth while looking through your wares. Have a website, Tumblr site, social networking presence. Have something that shows off you and the work. If you can have a free preview online of your creative wares, ALL THE BETTER! Sometimes these folks won’t buy initially. But will check you out online, come back later or buy from home. Not often. But again, the web is a tool there to use.
SWEETEN THE POT: I myself have a pretty sweet deal when I get people to buy my trade paperbacks. They range from $13-$20 a pop; which I throw in a few very inexpensive freebees to seal the deal. For example: If someone buys a copy of my book: ADAM AND EVE: BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE IN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYSPE. I tell them if they get the book, they A) Get the entire run of the series from start to finish, B) Over two hundred pages of story material, C) A book signed by me D) Bonus pinups from various other artists, whom many times at least a couple of them are at the show and would also sign the book. E) A quick sketch of them as a zombie in the book. And F) A pick of a print from the print section of my art book, ALL FOR COVER PRICE. Now while that seems like I am ripping myself off a bit. The quick sketch and signature cost me nothing but a couple of minutes of my time. The print is less than 2 bucks to make and helps me push a $15 book that I want to get in other people’s hands. You can always find something that makes your book appealing to potential buyers that costs you little or nothing to put together.
DISPLAY YOUR BOOKS WITH PRIDE: Have your books at eye level, with the cover on a stand so people can see it eye level. Maybe a small sign with the price tag, quick tag line, and what are the additional goodies you get with book purchase.
MAKE YOUR BOOTH YOUR OWN: Unless you are a famous entity in the industry. You kind of have to rely on your booth to say who you are and what you are all about. Signage, decoration, backdrops and other equipment can help greatly in this task. You are going to capture your potential customer’s eye long before you do the mammalian part of their brain. A blank featureless table can often be your worst enemy. You have to create some window shopping to draw folks in for that award winning pitch. I myself do little things like have a stuffed chicken, a leopard skin table cloth (Fake of course!) Clever signs, and other little knick knacks that make people scratch their heads, and hover in to find out more.
CALLING CARDS: Make sure to leave contact information with both those who stop by and pick up a book from you. This is a gateway for making a reader turn into a regular fan. Then they can follow you online as you go to other shows in their area and put out more material.
That about covers a few of the more important tips from me and I hope I passed on something useful. Feel free to comment or send questions to me directly at [email protected]. Thanks and until next time. I won’t be here!
Dan Nokes
Creative Director
21st Century Sandshark Studios
This is small press guru Dan Nokes with another hard look at the industry and culture I inhabit and work in. Yup! It’s time for….
THE OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK!
This week?
GETTING PEOPLE TO BUY YOUR BOOK AT A CON: A FEW HELPFUL TIPS
I have been involved in the comic and fan convention scene as a professional for what will be 13 years in October. I have seen that venue and its various parts change dramatically in that time. Technology has improved. Fads have come and gone. Trends have changed altered and swerved back into themselves. One thing that I have noticed that while creators who make actual comic books are still around, they are a distinct minority among geek crafters, fan art print artists, graphic designers, handmade fan clothing designers and a host of other dealers, vendors and other sale and artisan folk at any given type of con.
This can have both advantages and disadvantages. While this influx of different artist and crafter sometimes attracts a crowd that has no interest in comic books. The fact that I and many others are in fact: A minority that we do make comic books also makes us a novelty. Add to that the growing dissatisfaction with “Big Two” comics blandness and myopic approach to much of their comic line makes those who are hungry for something new in the medium, more open to try an independent comic book with a new spin on current convention or tackles new subject matter that the comic medium isn’t well known for.
But as I walk around the convention floor, I see a lot of creators, artists, writers and publishers make the same mistakes over and over again. I’ve been doing this long enough to where I’ve managed to put food on my table and water coming out of my faucet consistently. To where maybe, I can offer a few tips as to how I am able to sell my comic books to an audience that is often weary to try their creative vegetables… Here are a few of my favorites, STARTING WITH:
GET YOUR DAMN HEAD OUT OF YOUR ARTWORK AND ENGAGE WITH YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMER: I see so many young artist/creators with their heads either buried in a sketchpad or IPad, with ear buds firmly fastened, and paying absolutely no attention to attendees hoving into their booth airspace to check out their wares. That to me is the equivalent of when I went into a 90’s record store with no price tags on anything and the kid at the counter is on his Walkman, looking smug and disinterested in trying to answer any question you may have. Now while I am not saying to jump in people’s face. I am telling you to SAY HI, shake people’s hand, tell them your name. Let them know a quick thing about what you do or any specials you may have. Ask them what they like. You are to a large degree, selling yourself. You have to make you seem appealing and attractive enough for these folks to drop 3 to 25 dollars a pop for your book.
WORK ON YOUR INITIAL PITCH: About 2 years before I started my publishing company. I went to Wizard World Chicago along with a great deal of other conventions to try and learn how to make and sell a comic book. I sat on a panel being hosted by Brian Pulido. I will say that that 45 minutes I spent there formed a large chunk of my salesmanship core of how I conduct myself at a convention. One thing he said that stuck with me was that, from the time a potential customer wrangles into your booth’s sphere of influence. You have about 15-30 seconds of their attention to deliver an initial pitch. This is where I see so many creators screw up regally. This is mostly due to the fact that they worked so hard, and so long, and are so impressed with every minute detail, that they want to unload every factoid and nuance of their creation onto whomever steps up to the plate. But with an average con having dozens to hundreds of vendors and so many things to catch their attention, not to mention the age of the internet widdling away the average attention span, you are stuck with about 30 seconds to distill your grand magnum opus, into a bite sized factoid. You have to sum up your creative baby into a one two punch that will grab their imagination and interest. Here is an example of what I do with my book THE PARANORMALS
Initial Pitch:
PARANORMALS: ITS X-MEN MEETS SCOOBY DOO
If that catches them, I expand with my remaining 25 seconds with this:
IT’S AN END OF THE WORLD TALE WHERE YOUR SAVIORS INCLUDE: A FEEBLE MINDED ROBOT, CHAIN SMOKING VAMPIRE, ALCHOLIC WEREWOLF, TEENAGE WITCH, AND ANGRY SCOTTISH DWARF.
That quick pitch can make or break a sale. Give them a visual that makes them want to find out more. Then you can do a few details that separate what you are doing from everything else.
GIVE THEM COMPARISONS: Now I know I hate to compare my stuff to anything else. I want to feel like my books are like nothing else out there. And to a certain degree you should sell what makes you different from everything else. But people also want to feel like there is a sense of the familiar. That they have some idea as to what to expect from your book that they can relate to. Sometimes I go with a quote a reviewer said of my book ADAM AND EVE: BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE IN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. “It’s like WALKING DEAD…But funny” The Walking Dead portion gives visuals and concepts that they know and can relate too. The funny part is the spin on the convention that appeals to their wish to try something new. It’s kind of starting in in the shallow side of the pool, before venturing to the deep end with a new book, as a way to sell to them.
HAVE A WEB PRESENCE: In a day and age where the internet plays such a huge roll in any market. Comic books are no exception. Your average customer has the ability to do a Google search on you and your works at your booth while looking through your wares. Have a website, Tumblr site, social networking presence. Have something that shows off you and the work. If you can have a free preview online of your creative wares, ALL THE BETTER! Sometimes these folks won’t buy initially. But will check you out online, come back later or buy from home. Not often. But again, the web is a tool there to use.
SWEETEN THE POT: I myself have a pretty sweet deal when I get people to buy my trade paperbacks. They range from $13-$20 a pop; which I throw in a few very inexpensive freebees to seal the deal. For example: If someone buys a copy of my book: ADAM AND EVE: BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE IN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYSPE. I tell them if they get the book, they A) Get the entire run of the series from start to finish, B) Over two hundred pages of story material, C) A book signed by me D) Bonus pinups from various other artists, whom many times at least a couple of them are at the show and would also sign the book. E) A quick sketch of them as a zombie in the book. And F) A pick of a print from the print section of my art book, ALL FOR COVER PRICE. Now while that seems like I am ripping myself off a bit. The quick sketch and signature cost me nothing but a couple of minutes of my time. The print is less than 2 bucks to make and helps me push a $15 book that I want to get in other people’s hands. You can always find something that makes your book appealing to potential buyers that costs you little or nothing to put together.
DISPLAY YOUR BOOKS WITH PRIDE: Have your books at eye level, with the cover on a stand so people can see it eye level. Maybe a small sign with the price tag, quick tag line, and what are the additional goodies you get with book purchase.
MAKE YOUR BOOTH YOUR OWN: Unless you are a famous entity in the industry. You kind of have to rely on your booth to say who you are and what you are all about. Signage, decoration, backdrops and other equipment can help greatly in this task. You are going to capture your potential customer’s eye long before you do the mammalian part of their brain. A blank featureless table can often be your worst enemy. You have to create some window shopping to draw folks in for that award winning pitch. I myself do little things like have a stuffed chicken, a leopard skin table cloth (Fake of course!) Clever signs, and other little knick knacks that make people scratch their heads, and hover in to find out more.
CALLING CARDS: Make sure to leave contact information with both those who stop by and pick up a book from you. This is a gateway for making a reader turn into a regular fan. Then they can follow you online as you go to other shows in their area and put out more material.
That about covers a few of the more important tips from me and I hope I passed on something useful. Feel free to comment or send questions to me directly at [email protected]. Thanks and until next time. I won’t be here!
Dan Nokes
Creative Director
21st Century Sandshark Studios