This post is a complete list of all the topics that will be covered in the How to Sell At Conventions blog series. As new entries are posted, each topic listed below will have a link added to the post. Thanks for reading!
STARTING A BUSINESS
- – Selling at Conventions 101
- – The Brainstorming and the Business Plan
- – Taxes, what you can do on your own, and when you need assistance
- – Bookkeeping and Receipts, becoming an accountant (or not!)
- – Money: business bank accounts, online payments, credit cards, and loans
- – THE Income Question (Business VS Hobby)
- – Time Management: business work vs product work
- – Protecting your IP: Image theft, DMCA, Trademarks, Copyright
- – Ethical Business Practice: politics, image, sustainability, and accessibility
MARKETING AND SALES
- – Branding: logos, color schemes, accessibility, legal
- – Branding: business cards, website, online store front
- – Traditional Marketing: advertisements, in-person
- – Social Media Marketing: platforms, management, and RSS
- – Customers: the good, the bad, and the annoying
- – Commissions: how, where, in-person vs online
- – Recurring Payments: Patreon, Ko-fi, other platforms, tiers
- – Online Sales: platforms, FAQ
- – Shipping: online postage, USPS vs others, international rates
- – Shipping: labels, label printers, packaging, sustainability
- – Crowdfunding: Kickstarter vs other sites, why, how
- – Selling Internationally (USA based)
DISPLAYS
- – Convention Displays, what kinds and why
- – Materials: what are they made of, where to get, table sizes
- – Design: design, colors, safety, interactivity, theft reduction
- – Dressing to match your booth and the convention
- – Where to get organizers and other equipment for the show
- – Tying It All Together: A Convention Display That Works
MERCHANDISE
- – What do people sell at conventions? Online?
- – How much should I buy? (The Rule of 10s)
- – Pricing: industry standards, community standards, products
- – Sourcing: print shops, apparel shops, POD shops, being hired
- – Factory Sourcing 101: avoiding scams, imports, group orders
- – THE Fanart Question and trends vs interests vs sales
CONVENTIONS
- – What kinds of conventions should I sell at?
- – What am I allowed at to sell conventions?
- – Convention Applications, how and when
- – Convention Survival Tips: 6-2-1, general attendance vs vending
- – Furry Conventions 101 and how/when to sell at them
- – 18+ events/vendor areas, adult merchandise/art, policies
- – Traveling: hotels, airBnB, sharing, selling alone, safety
- – Traveling: driving, buses, trains, airplanes, walking?
- – Convention Insurance: what is it and do I need it?
- – Protecting yourself from theft, both money and merchandise
- – International Conventions (USA home based)
SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT
- – THE Art School question
- – Entry Points to Convention Selling and How to Pivot
- – Building Skills: art vs business, raw skill vs timing vs luck
- – Portfolios: industry vs convention applications, websites
- – Zines: participation, running, fair work compensation
- – Dealing with Rejection, Building Professionalism
- – Networking: why, how, discrimination, abuse
- – Artist Groups, when to use search engines and when to ask for help
- – Art Videos and Streaming: platforms, equipment, monetization
- – Digital tech recommendations: printers, tablets, software
- – Traditional media recommendations: pencils, paints, paper
- – Office Equipment: desks, chairs, home storage
- – How to Learn Art Outside of a Classroom, plus book recommendations
HEALTH
- – Health Insurance: what you need and where to get it (USA)
- – Retirement: savings accounts, retirement accounts/investments
- – Mental Health Tips
- – Physical Health Tips (stretch!)
- – Work-Life Balance, Time Management Tips
- – Burnout: how to avoid, what to do when there
- – Stop Comparing Yourself to Others in Unhealthy Ways
- – Covid-19 and Con Crud: How to Stay Safe While Vending
- – Tips for Selling at Conventions when You Have Disabilities
- – Eating Healthy on the Road (the best we can)
- – Ways to Relax at Conventions
Any new topics will be added to this list as well. To never miss a post, subscribe to our mailing list. If you would like to support this series, share your favorite posts or leave us a tip on Ko-fi! See you in the next post!