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 an accountant
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
Patreon, Ko-fi, recurrent payments, 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)
Examples of Convention Schedules, mine and others
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, website
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
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!
-Carmen