Presented by Sharkysaur
At a convention YOU are just as important to attracting customers to your table, as your table display. Behavior and appearance do matter. Sharkysaur will demonstrate what not to do as I explain what you should do.
1. Stand up at your table.
Standing up will put you at eye level with your customers, making you easier to approach and speak too. If you are sitting customers may think that they will be bothering you by talking to you.
Standing up will put you at eye level with your customers, making you easier to approach and speak too. If you are sitting customers may think that they will be bothering you by talking to you.
2. Smile
Put your game face on! If you look friendly people will want to spend more time at your table. You may feel shy, upset, angry, frustrated, annoyed, or sick, but you need to keep your smile on.
Put your game face on! If you look friendly people will want to spend more time at your table. You may feel shy, upset, angry, frustrated, annoyed, or sick, but you need to keep your smile on.
4. Be Energetic
If you look bored or sleepy its hard to attract customers to your table. By being energetic, waving to customers, being quick to answer question and show off your work, you can attract more customers to your table. (Sharkysaur, I don't think anyone is going to actually sleep at their table. You better wipe your drool off those prints.)
If you look bored or sleepy its hard to attract customers to your table. By being energetic, waving to customers, being quick to answer question and show off your work, you can attract more customers to your table. (Sharkysaur, I don't think anyone is going to actually sleep at their table. You better wipe your drool off those prints.)
5. Pay Attention
When someone nears your table, make eye contact, smile, wave, say hello, comment on the awesomeness of their cosplay. They will be more likely to stop at your table than pass by. If you are taking a break, when its slow, make sure you are paying attention to any potential customer coming through and be able to drop what you are doing/eating to interact with them. If you have someone to watch your table I would recommend taking your break away from your table.
When someone nears your table, make eye contact, smile, wave, say hello, comment on the awesomeness of their cosplay. They will be more likely to stop at your table than pass by. If you are taking a break, when its slow, make sure you are paying attention to any potential customer coming through and be able to drop what you are doing/eating to interact with them. If you have someone to watch your table I would recommend taking your break away from your table.
6. Be Helpful and Patient
Customers may come to you for information not related to you and your art, like: where are the bathrooms? Do you know where this event is happening? I saw someone with a print of Sharkysaur, do you know who is selling them? No matter the question try to be helpful. I make a point of knowing where the bathrooms, elevator, atm, first aid station and nearest security officer are. I also keep a copy of the program and map on hand in case someone needs directions. You are more likely to pick up fans by being an awesome person, then by being a grump.
You will be asked many times a day how much something costs, even if you have a price menu and price tags on everything. Do not get annoyed. It can be overwhelming to browse a fully stocked table, and many customers can be shy about asking how much things cost. You should actually feel honored when a customer is brave enough to do so. Very nicely tell them how much it costs. Do not point out the price tag or say that its clearly posted and make them feel bad. In fact this is the perfect opportunity to tell them about your specials Buy 2 get one Free deal.
Customers may come to you for information not related to you and your art, like: where are the bathrooms? Do you know where this event is happening? I saw someone with a print of Sharkysaur, do you know who is selling them? No matter the question try to be helpful. I make a point of knowing where the bathrooms, elevator, atm, first aid station and nearest security officer are. I also keep a copy of the program and map on hand in case someone needs directions. You are more likely to pick up fans by being an awesome person, then by being a grump.
You will be asked many times a day how much something costs, even if you have a price menu and price tags on everything. Do not get annoyed. It can be overwhelming to browse a fully stocked table, and many customers can be shy about asking how much things cost. You should actually feel honored when a customer is brave enough to do so. Very nicely tell them how much it costs. Do not point out the price tag or say that its clearly posted and make them feel bad. In fact this is the perfect opportunity to tell them about your specials Buy 2 get one Free deal.
7. Be Clean!
Hygiene is very important. Bathe while you are at the convention, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and wear deodorant. You might think this is a joke, but there are a few people who don't do this. If your planning to eat pungent food, bring breath mints, or gum and drink lots of water. You should also take time to plan out what you are going to wear. Make sure it is clean, and choose something that is not prone to wrinkling. Also keep in mind that if you are wearing cologne or body spray, do not choose a scent that is extremely overwhelming (like Axe) because there are people who are strongly affected by them, and it may cause customers or your table neighbors discomfort.
Hygiene is very important. Bathe while you are at the convention, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and wear deodorant. You might think this is a joke, but there are a few people who don't do this. If your planning to eat pungent food, bring breath mints, or gum and drink lots of water. You should also take time to plan out what you are going to wear. Make sure it is clean, and choose something that is not prone to wrinkling. Also keep in mind that if you are wearing cologne or body spray, do not choose a scent that is extremely overwhelming (like Axe) because there are people who are strongly affected by them, and it may cause customers or your table neighbors discomfort.
8. Keep it Together
Horrible things happen in this world beyond our control. Maybe your significant other broke up with you over the phone. Maybe your table partner didn't show up, or you left half of your merch at home, or your display fell apart. Do not have a melt down. If necessary, have someone you trust, or a staff member watch your table so you can bawl your eyes out in the bathroom. Then suck it up put that dirty cheating boyfriend/ girlfriend on the back burner, Do your best with what you brought, get that ductape and put your display back together. Most table neighbors are friendly and willing to help a neighbor when disaster strikes, so don't be afraid to ask for help.
Horrible things happen in this world beyond our control. Maybe your significant other broke up with you over the phone. Maybe your table partner didn't show up, or you left half of your merch at home, or your display fell apart. Do not have a melt down. If necessary, have someone you trust, or a staff member watch your table so you can bawl your eyes out in the bathroom. Then suck it up put that dirty cheating boyfriend/ girlfriend on the back burner, Do your best with what you brought, get that ductape and put your display back together. Most table neighbors are friendly and willing to help a neighbor when disaster strikes, so don't be afraid to ask for help.
9. Be Polite
There are rude people is this world, and you may be graced with a few at your table. It is easy to get upset when someone insults your art, or you as an artist. Do not lose your temper. Stay calm and let the rude comments roll off your back. Maybe they weren't taught manners, maybe they are tearing you down to make themselves feel better. Maybe Naruto just ran off with their Princess Peach. There is a difference between a critique and an insult, normal people don't give out critiques without being asked for them. Never let an insult beat you down! You can laugh about them later. And if they are actually looking for a response, its always safe to say that you are are always getting better at what you do, because it is true. We are constantly improving and developing the more we work at our art.
There are rude people is this world, and you may be graced with a few at your table. It is easy to get upset when someone insults your art, or you as an artist. Do not lose your temper. Stay calm and let the rude comments roll off your back. Maybe they weren't taught manners, maybe they are tearing you down to make themselves feel better. Maybe Naruto just ran off with their Princess Peach. There is a difference between a critique and an insult, normal people don't give out critiques without being asked for them. Never let an insult beat you down! You can laugh about them later. And if they are actually looking for a response, its always safe to say that you are are always getting better at what you do, because it is true. We are constantly improving and developing the more we work at our art.
It looks like we've come to our last and most crucial tip.
10. Don't eat your customers.
It is very bad for business.... (wait a minute, this isn't a real tip. Sharkysaur spit that poor jellyfish out. You can't eat your helper! At the very least you should thank the jellyfish for helping you and give him a button for all of his hard work.)
10. Don't eat your customers.
It is very bad for business.... (wait a minute, this isn't a real tip. Sharkysaur spit that poor jellyfish out. You can't eat your helper! At the very least you should thank the jellyfish for helping you and give him a button for all of his hard work.)
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There is no better way to say thank you!
There is no better way to say thank you!