Artist Alley - How to be a Good Salesman

Today we're continuing on with some artist alley tips! So you got your table ready, but now what? How do you convince people to buy your work? In this video we'll cover some tips on how to become a good artist alley salesman.
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[@TheChocOtaku]

Oh gosh, the "customers insulting you part" just dug up some memories lol. My partner and I were tabling at Delta H Con and this guy (an adult man) walks up and is like "...why is Link dressed like THAT?" (gerudo Link outfit from BoTW). I was like "Well it's a canon outfit he wears in the game and I think it's really pretty". And he's like "That's so dumb" and just walks away. Two hours later, comes back, asks how much it is, and offers half as much... for the print he just insulted... we were like "your insult doesn't decrease the value, and we're not haggling with you". He just walked away but my table neighbors were all complaining about him later so I guess he just thought he'd try it with everyone to see if he could get a deal?

[@wtora777]

Hayley Nelson wow that’s horrible omg 😔

[@FireflyRaye]

Every artist I know has a horror story like this. I'm so sorry this happened to you! Hopefully the convention was still fun regardless. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@TheKawaiifan]

building on this, I was at anime expo recently and I saw a table run by Komun Horangi, who is one of my new favorite artists rn. She had this gigantic table stuffed with beautiful prints, acrylic charms, stands, stickers, the whole nine yards! I'm not even exaggerating when I say her display was huge and she had so much stuff I was actually paralyzed. Thankfully, she actually was handing out a sort of inventory sheet thing to people, which was honestly genius. It had all the items and prices listed out, and relieved me of that pressure to make a decision on the spot. I ended up taking the paper back to the hotel room with me, deciding which items I actually wanted at my own pace and marking them down with a pen. I even showed it to my Mom and watched her pick a thing out from that sheet like it was a restaurant menu haha! I went back to her booth the very next day and bought the goods I wanted with confidence

[@patheticmortal373]

That's such a good idea omg. I like the imagery of you 2 picking things like at a restaurant. And if nothing else, it's a good idea for yourself as a seller so you can't forget

[@bekw4366]

I'm actually the opposite, I prefer to approach tables and look at peoples stock/art when they don't appear like they're going to try to start talking to me :O

[@FireflyRaye]

That's totally fair! I'm sort of that way too, but then if I find something I actually do wanna buy and the artist looks distracted/upset I tend to just... walk away because I'm too nervous to interact xD;; Sometimes having the artist immediately break the silence makes it easier to interact further for me, but I get that it's different for everyone!

[@bekw4366]

@@FireflyRaye That's totally true too. I guess I'm usually not looking to buy so that is probably making the difference, btw you're an awesome and inspiring artist !

[@FireflyRaye]

@@bekw4366 Thank you so much! :D And thank you for your opposing insight, it's always great to get another point of view!

[@limegecko5673]

I do buy stuff at artist alley but I just prefer to look at all the stuff quietly, I dont wanna talk 😅 So it’s the same with me :)

[@bekw4366]

@Happypaw Fun haha right?! 😅😅

[@laxus5036]

Another little tip! Make sure you are well groomed! I'm not saying get all gussied up, but make sure you're bathed, hair is brushed, teeth are brushed, and wearing appropriate clothing! No one wants to linger too long at a table with a stinky/unhygienic vendor! Consider bringing a pack of mints or gum to keep your breath fresh throughout the day! Remember, you are representing your products/buisness/company! Be presentable!

[@FireflyRaye]

Wonderful advice! Thank you for sharing!

[@briannaterry2670]

These tips are amazing! Maybe you can do a tip video on how to display things at artist alley? Like examples of how to set up your table or how much of different items to have on a table before it looks like too much

[@FireflyRaye]

This will definitely be a future video :) thank you for the suggestion!

[@scoobin336]

yes!!

[@jayw9619]

I love these tips very much! I agree that I’m more likely to approach a table that is less crowded, and one where the artist looks up and alert, because I wouldn’t want to bother them if they were tired! I also tend not to bother or hover artists who are drawing, because I don’t like people watching me draw. But for every person like me there are like 10 who DO like watching! One thing I also found helpful a bit is, when people come over and are checking out your art, having things people can hold can help sometimes? Like I only had one of each sticker/charm/print out on display so if people were interested I would hand them the print/charm/sticker they liked and they would often converse with me or their friend over which they preferred and were more tempted to buy! I really love this series and I’m binge watching it all because I have con nerves about one I’m going to soon!

[@swandrawn]

Oh my goodness, I couldn't agree more on the point about not being overly aggressive to rope people in toward your table. Legit at the last convention I was tabling in, my friend warned me not to go to a certain row because of an uncomfortably aggressive vendor pulling out all the stops to get people to come to their table. It's an admirable effort sure, but unfortunately misplaced in these kinds of crowds. I felt bad for the other artists in that row who probably got avoided because of that vendor. It's a tricky balance in how to be friendly and approachable, but for artists out there do your best to gauge what approach works best for you because it's always going to be an experimental process.

[@genuineghoul3452]

I know I am two years late, but there was an artist that I tried to avoid be previously, while with my boyfriend at the time, she screamed "You two look like you can use some adventurous erotica!". They had a zine they really wanted to sell but that's not the way to do it, especially when it embarrasses people. On top of that I am asexual so I just really didn't want to see her peepee magazine.

[@swandrawn]

@@genuineghoul3452 Yiiiikes, that certainly is a quick way to make someone uncomfortable. I'm sure they grabbed your attention, but not in a good way 😂

[@kaiv3rse_edits]

I’m gonna be at a convention, and it’s my first time with a table! Thx for this it helped

[@fightcali]

Your tips are super helpful! I'll be tabling for the first time this December and I keep watching your videos to prepare!! Please make more ❤️❤️

[@FireflyRaye]

There's definitely more coming! :) I'm so glad I can help! Good luck with your first table!

[@superattackgamer]

This series of videos has been very helpful for me hoping to sell at an artist alley one day. Obviously this year that hasn't been possible, but right now I'm preparing for the day when I can finally do it.

[@helenealonso6767]

Thank you so much for your beautiful insights! 💕

[@turnup_soop2251]

Thank you so much!!!!! This is actually very helpful

[@lilenhawn]

Thanks for the tips!! (& making this vid) 😁

[@kwiyetwon9479]

love the sales tips.. thanks

[@Flopysock]

New video hype! And thia is all true. I am vary observitive and tend to not communicate with people who are distracted.

[@Lavinia-ze6lw]

Once there was a table & 3 different artists shared it with eachother. I knew one of them from instagram and wanted to say hi & buy some of her art but this other artist (who shared a table with her) glared at me, like I just ruined his day. I ended up quickly buying some of her prints & didn't dare to talk to her. So I guess two things: there ARE many socially awkward people there and you shouldn't glare at people😭 (My social anxiety was a lot worse back then which has probably also a lot to do with this but still) But now I'm excited to watch this video because I'll have my first ever artist booth at a convention this week & I'm so nervous ughhhh

[@TheVeyZ]

What I like to do is: -Stand as much as can -Nod and smile if I make eye contact with someone. -if someone is looking at my stuff I make small talk & make it all about them. Examples: "How are you? You enjoying the convention? I love your cosplay (if they're wearing one) " -if they ask about my art I give them my info without coming off as pushy or try to show them artwork that might lean towards their interests. -whether they buy something or not and they leave, I smile and tell them to enjoy the rest of their day.

[@ninainciensosymas.3455]

I like to be asked if I need something,but that is it! I don’t like them to be always around me😂I like to look at things if I like something I will call for help🤪

[@nathanhansen6384]

Thank you :3

[@leow9158]

Your way to underrated

[@elijahmorgan6063]

You are super sweet and helpful! Keep kicking butt at cons (as in keep doing what you're passionate about)!

[@rachel-dh4kt]

On your stall what’s the thing holding up the prints in the back? It’s super pretty

[@Cremechan]

Hi your tips are great! c: I am an artist and I want to sell apperal I was wondering where you her your apperal printed?

[@s.8340]

This might be a very dumb question, but how much should you pay your table helper? A friend of mine offered to help me and even though they said they don't need to be payed, I still want to pay them properly! However, I really don't know what would be a propper/good amount of payment? I would ask my friend themselves what they want to get payed for it but they have a habit of under selling themselves and asking for less than they should get for their work. So I really want to make sure I dont under pay them!

[@stillseren]

As an artist do you have an opportunity to walk around and do things at the con??

[@FireflyRaye]

Sometimes! This is easier to do when I have a helper at my table that can take over when I'm gone.

[@creativepotpie5907]

How much should you compensate your helper with? A certain percentage of whatever profit you make?

[@FireflyRaye]

It's really up to you! I think a percentage of your profit or a fixed price ($XX per hour, day, etc.) is fine. It's really something you'll have to figure out by examining how much you earn in profit and considering what you think is fair to pay your helper. I personally do a fixed price per day and add a bonus if there's been a particularly busy day, or if I'm absent a lot, etc. You also might want to consider badge and hotel; I always cover the cost of badge and hotel.

[@BradPitbull]

GOOD JOB MY NIGGA

[@Nyax50Lopez]

Thankies. Ngl pokemon festivals is scalpers 90% of the stuff. Like yo, I understand you wasted tons of money on cards but a very very common card that is like 7 cents is being sold for $1 is a red flag.