How to Sell at Conventions: The Series

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!

-Rain