Free things at Conventions

sarrowsmith10 2016-10-12 20:26:05 UTC #1

So my writer and I are going to a rather small (but totally packed) local convention called Library Con, which is appropriately being held at a local library. The tables are free, we get lots of space, and there is a ton of foot traffic for the small space. The kicker is that it is promotion only. We aren't allowed to sell anything.

With this in mind, I want to use it to drive traffic to our webcomic and online store. So, what should I bring?

Should I bring comic books as a display? Would people think they are free? Or be afraid to touch them?

Last year we did coloring pages and some small 4x6 flyers. I gave away some left over sticker rejects from the last big show we were at. (Stuff I couldn't sell, because of misprinting or whatever)

What do you guys think would be good to have at the table, or what would you want to pick up from us if you were there?

AnnaLandin 2016-10-12 20:29:27 UTC #2

I usually bring bookmarks with my website address printed clearly on them, and hand those out as freebies!

Bringing a comic is a good idea, I think? But maybe just one or two copies that people can flip through while they're there? Just label them clearly on the front as [DISPLAY COPY] or something - it's what I do at cons, so people have a copy to pick up and handle, and don't paw through my entire stock of books and mess up the stacks or dog-ear pages on books they then don't go on to buy.

sarrowsmith10 2016-10-12 20:30:33 UTC #3

Oh bookmarks. That's a good idea! Do you have an online printer that ships them, or do you do those yourself?

AnnaLandin 2016-10-12 22:03:45 UTC #4

I do them myself, and then laminate them in a cheap and handy laminating machine I bought at the hardware store - but I know Awesome Merchandise do bookmarks, if you want a professional option. Haven't ordered anything from them myself yet, though.

efdvorsky 2016-10-13 00:49:32 UTC #5

Sometimes I have a small promo flyer printed and it works because they can write things in the back if we end up talking or exchanging information (like "hey check out this comic too" or "check out this website")

I also do what you do that I end up giving away some things that I haven't sold or I have things at a better quality. I tend to do combos on that (buy a comic and a bookmark, and you get a free sticker), but it won't work since you're not allowed to sell....but maybe this tip can help you in the future?

Free bookmarks can work too! Maybe keep the display booth small and have one main comic open in the center of the table to invite people in and have a few copies next to you (if you have more than one person stopping by). But by keeping it at one it's self explanatory it's for display.

sarrowsmith10 2016-10-13 03:54:06 UTC #6

I think those are good ideas! I have a bunch of old posters I had printed for the comic. but they are super out of date. I could give those away for free!