5 (More) Tips to Prepare to Sell at Your First Artist Alley

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5 (More) Tips to Prepare to Sell at Your First Artist Alley
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out all my artist alley tips for when you are beginning to sell you art at conventions. Let me know what I missed and if you have any extra resources for me to add to the description! I hope these artist alley prep tips have been helpful for you! :)
Favorite Artist Alley Supplies/Products/Companies*-
◹ Wire Cube Storage Shelves (for building my display) (amzn.to/2Chwr4c)
◹ Costco Collapsible Utility Wagon (found a similar one on Amazon) (amzn.to/2stWxRS)
◹ 5”x7” Print Storage Boxes (amzn.to/2ECEe1B)
◹ Ikea Metal Clips to attach my large print display (amzn.to/2Hc20jx)
◹ 4 ft Collapsible Table (amzn.to/2Ciw6y6)
◹ 1.5” Tecre Button Maker & Punch (amzn.to/2HjG5a0)
◹ Catprint (Where I get my 11x17” Prints Made) (www.catprint.com/referrals/ne...)
◹ Square credit card reader (totally free to sign up & get your card reader) (squareup.com/i/9CA8A40FC9)
Check out my first Artist Alley Tip video here: • 5 Tips for Selling at ...
Timestamps for each tip:
0:43 - Tip #1: Research, Research, Research!
5:10 - Tip #2: Start Off Small!
6:17 - Tip #3: Look at This as an Investment!
8:00 - Tip #4: Think of Yourself as a Business Owner!
13:31 - Tip #5: Plan Ahead for Your Deadline!
17:00 - Bonus Tip: Take Care of Yourself!
Useful links & Resources Mentioned:
conconapp.com/
animecons.com/
www.upcomingcons.com/
/ 143875999117732 (Artist Alley Network International FB Group)
www.getconned.com/
www.wix.com/
www.boe.ca.gov/elecsrv/ereg/i... (California Seller's Permit Info)
/ miniartmart (SF Mini Art Mart)
squareup.com/ (Credit Card Reader)(squareup.com/i/04BFD557 ---this affiliate link helps me out too if you decide to sign up for square at no extra cost to you 😍)
Other Great Resources:
/ howtobeaconartist
snowgemart.com/profitable-conv...
/ snowgem1
All art created & owned by Jennifer Charlee
Website: jennifercharlee.wix.com/artist
Support Me & My Channel: 💖
◹ / jennifercharlee
◹ etsy.com/shop/FairytaleFoxDesigns
◹ www.fairytalefoxdesigns.storen...
◹ redbubble.com/people/jenniferc...
Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/A241K19
Most Used Supplies*:🎨
🌱Traditional🌱
◹ Prismacolor Col-Erase Sketching Pencils (amzn.to/2mTuZPV)
◹ Canson XL Watercolor Paper Pad (amzn.to/2FXTOTn)
◹ Canson XL Watercolor Sketchbook (amzn.to/2BhdNJ9)
◹ Prismacolor Premiere Colored Pencils (amzn.to/2Dz9k9M)
◹ Koi Watercolor Sketchbook Set (amzn.to/2DUDmT8)
◹ Grumbacher 6 Round Watercolor Brush (amzn.to/2BhFTUw)
◹ Princeton Snap Round 4 Watercolor Brush (amzn.to/2DT7jD3)
◹ Princeton Snap Round 8 Watercolor Brush (amzn.to/2mTxVMr)
◹ Schmincke Horadam Artists Watercolor (12 half-pan set linked)
(amzn.to/2BjGUf6)
◹ Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus Liquid Watercolor (amzn.to/2DpFkd6)
◹ Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay Ink (amzn.to/2DvERJJ)
◹ White Gelly Roll Pen (amzn.to/2DSHTWb)
🌱Digital🌱
◹ XP-Pen 22" Tablet Monitor (amzn.to/2DhOubz)
◹ Clip Studio Paint Software (amzn.to/2Dl1jSH)
*Affiliate links are included above. A small percentage of any purchases made through use of these links will help support me & the channel at no cost to you! Thanks! 💕💕💕
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♫Music By♫
Intro/Outro:
Before I Sleep - by Muciojad
/ before-i-sleep
MUSIC:
Artist: Nicolai Heidlas
Title: Back In Summer
Download the song here:
www.hooksounds.com/royalty-free-mu…back-in-summer/

[@penguovo9514]

Concerning the pricing: for me it didn't matter if my small Print costs 1,50€ or 3€, people just keep on buying if the product is good. Be confident - the worst you can do is undercharge :)

[@LillenArt2]

I heard a good way to break even is to share a table at a local show with another artist friend. Of course, you have to make sure the con knows and is okay with sharing.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Yes! That's also a great tip whenever applicable. Simply reachin out to staff, sometimes even on social media, can be the best way to make sure you can share your table (and cut that cost in half! AND have an artist table buddy!)

[@havytran487]

Thank you so much 😭 i'm 13 and i applied a local artist alley with my artist friend and luckily i got in! I'm so anxious because there will be tons of amazing artists at the convention ( about 120 tables) and I didn't know what to do at all. Your video was very helpful and i feel alot less stressed now

[@Raven1799Games]

Thank you so much for the help! Its super helpful, and as an artist who is just looking to get into the con scene, it was so thoughtful. Thanks :)

[@fbsmhmd]

I'm currently preparing for my very first art con booth and I watched all of your videos. They're really helpful; I was really overwhelmed after I signed up cuz I was kinda scared because I realized I don't have any idea how Im gonna prepare for it. Thank you very much!

[@Xereane]

i entered a yolo lottery in canada with some other artist friends (me being from europe) and freaking won it, i'm totally not ready for this aaaaaaah

[@creative.and.caffeinated]

Oh my goodness, the California sellers permit was some very essentiall information for me, THANK YOU!! I'm really hoping that I'll be at crunchy con this year. I'm on the wait list, but hoping I'll be able to split a table with a friend of mine who got in! 😊 But I heard you might also be there??? That would be so cool!! I really hope I go!!!!

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

I hope you go too!!! I got in the artist alley so I'll be there ^_^ I'm so glad the seller's permit info was helpful

[@jhocircle]

Thank you for your great advises, I had been looking for what I should do for my first con. And I already feeling frustrated and worry with what happen in the future stage too... but after hear from you, I think I know what to do.. Thank you!! :)

[@rebeccas.murphy.]

Wow there really is a lot to think about and consider! I didn't even think about taxes and and other costs as well! Thank you for sharing.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

You're very welcome! Let me know if you have any questions :) Good luck planning for upcoming events

[@rebeccas.murphy.]

Jennifer Charlee Art Thank you!

[@InLiquidColor]

This is absolutely fantastic Jennifer. Incredibly well done! It's going to be a great reference for new artists!

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

+In Liquid Color I sure hope so! I may have went a little overboard with packing the info in (and of course editing took much longer than I had expected) but I'm glad I put this together ^_^

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Thank you Jennifer! I learned a lot. And I've saved this video (and the first one) so that I could refer to it later. Thanks again!

[@Positive_Pepper]

This was so helpful, thank you so much~

[@jerbals8626]

This is an awesome video and very well organized!

[@artpipe]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@riddlr6358]

Wonderful. Thank you so much. I'm starting to table this year (sept, oct) and into the new year... Super nervous but I'm super excited as well! :) When are you starting up with cons again?

[@scharle3783]

That's was super helpful thanks a lot

[@AllyGamegal]

So many helpful tips; you've answered a lot of questions I've been asking myself, like the number of merch and the cohesiveness of it all. You just helped me get over a big hurdle in my creation process. Thank you very much

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

You are so welcome! Make sure to enjoy the experience and have fun!

[@neilraymond920]

THANK YOU!!!

[@noreenlatimer8193]

Thank you for sharing your tips.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Noreen Latimer you're very welcome!

[@PilferpupCartoons]

Ohmygosh this (and the previous video) were super helpful. I'm trying out my first artist alley, and I'm so anxious ; A ; This video really put allot of that at ease, thank you so much!

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Oh I'm so glad! I bet you'll kill it ...and at the very least it will be such a great learning experience

[@PilferpupCartoons]

I agree, the grand take-away will be learning so much from the experience, and hopefully making new friends / meeting other artists. It's always such a pleasure to see others journeys and realize we all sorta struggle the same. XD

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

The best thing about artist alleys (imho) is how inspired I get to do more art and make new pieces! ^_^

[@PilferpupCartoons]

Agreed, similarly going to art-meets or twitch, and renewing that drive to further yourself. Like sharpening a sword.

[@missmelisart4474]

This is so cool of you to put out there! (yes i'm totally binge watchin your channel hahaha) I sure wish more youtuber/artsist would've ut out info back when i first got into con going. Info was very sparse! Great tips! :D! Are you going to be at SacAnime? Hope to see yah!

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

MissMelisArt there still isn't a ton of info on KZbin still for starting at artist alleys so I thought I'd talk about it more :) I'm also starting to vlog some about my most recent and upcoming cons. I unfortunately didn't get in to Sac anime :/ maybe next time unless sfcc ends up being super amazing (which is closer for me to get to)

[@237866100]

Jennifer Charlee Art, I've never come piled a portfolio before for an animal e con. How should I organize one?

[@pluviiox]

How many prints/inventory would you say to have?

[@antonea808]

Nice tips! When you say 5-10 prints, are you referring to only the same image/design? Or the product? I noticed that you sell prints and products with your artwork on them, too. Do you find that those other items with your artwork sell well?

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Other products do sell well but it can be a matter of trial and error to see what may or may not work for the con attendees, your own artistic style, and for you as another upfront investment. You want to make sure you can charge 2-3 times the amount it took for you to produce it (trying to also include your labor). As far as designs/quantities go, especially if you are starting at a smaller event I feel that it is important to focus on just 5-10 different designs to start with. If it takes you a bit longer shoot for 5 but don't over do it especially if you can't guarantee the quality of each design is up to the same standard. With that in mind I was saying to buy only 5-10 in quantity of each design as well. I wanted o make that point simple and easy to remember but I may have made it a bit confusing. So, for instance, say you have 5 solid designs that you are happy with getting printed. I suggest buying no more than 10 prints of each of the 5 designs (so 50 prints, 10 of each design). I also want to mention it is worth noting to keep how you will be displaying your prints in mind. Some like to have one print of each design "take one for the team" to be laminated, hole punched, or "destroyed" to some degree to be the "display print." Keep that in mind if you want to get one extra of each design as your displays! Hopefully I've not been more confusing and have answered your question!

[@antonea808]

This makes sense! Thank you, Jennifer.

[@taehyungkim7726]

did you go to an art colladge

[@BradPitbull]

GOOD JOB MY NIGGA

[@taehyungkim7726]

did yo go to an art colladge

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

I went to a 4 year school and double majored in 2D Design and Psychology :)

[@maef7026]

It's easier if you live in the capital.

[@georgebenta3435]

Too many designs, how many is way too many?

[@AddBox]

people are not responciblefor keeping up your crappy economy they can price what they want. People like youdo this often, disocraging artists to sell for less because you wont be able to make money anymore. It's called capitalism, get with the program.

[@miar3721]

SpicedWolf Studios Actually, I study business, and I specialize in finance and accounting and she is absolutely right. Economically and independently speaking. It is in the interest of the artist to have similar pricing for a multitude of reasons. First of all, it’s likely that the new artist doesn’t know too much about finance and didn’t consult a CFP, so pricing wise they probably only considered how much it takes to make a print and how much to sell it for, but it’s also important to consider other ways to lose money such as obsolescence or shrinkage. Artists with more experience probably know a better system that works. It also looks really bad to consumers if the product is incredibly cheap compared to competitors because it seems like there might be something wrong with it. Also, more importantly, the economy is important to consider. You’re using the phrase capitalism incorrectly. In the USA we have a mixed market economy which is driven mainly by competition (though the government does step in to ox monopolies and such which is why I wouldn’t consider it free). Capitalism is driven by an economy that values entrepreneurship. If the prices become unfair, where either the price is too high for consumers or too low for competitors, it hurts the economy and is bad for everyone. If people started pricing super low and all consumers bought from the cheap suppliers, then money circulation would dwindle. Competition would go out of business because they couldn’t afford to keep living. If they didn’t contribute to the circulation, other businesses would suffer because they don’t profit from money that isn’t in circulation. In order to keep up with how many artists no longer require supplies, paper, ink, printing, etc markets would be forced to raise their prices in order to not go bankrupt. Then the artists that still work would raise their prices as they need to account for the increased price of supplies and art prices would skyrocket and nobody would be able to buy art anymore. It hurts the entire economy of an entire market collapses and there would be an economic crisis, so let’s not criticize people for encouraging a stable economy

[@AddBox]

Finance meet capitalism. She's not right.

[@AddBox]

Not using the term wrong, using the term to refer to our economic system here in the usa.

[@AddBox]

What was said was that the advice to price art at minimum wage is a con job. This did not, in the slightest, imply that artists should price their art WAY under what she insists. It was a statement referring to the artists who scream 'YOU CANT LOWER YOUR PRICES' to the high heavens. This advice is sad misguidance. The cheaper your product is, the more people will buy it. That does not mean to price full illustrations at a dollar, but it does mean that beginner and hobbyist artists don't have to price their work at minimum wage and suffer not getting a single commission. This advice is given to all artists despite skill or commitment they may have. Some art will not be bought for minimum wage, some people make more money pricing their art under that because they get more commissions due to the price. I personally get far more commissions with my lower priced art. What I'm talking about as it applies to her video about cons is how they will tell you to price your prints at the base line for the artists alley so you arent pricing them way under and stealing their customers. Because prices in the artist allie for a single print is about 20+ for decent sized conventions, so they don't want you to price it under. Out of experiance, pricing it lower gets you glares from other artists in the ally, but you make far more sales, enough sales to justify selling them for less, when youprice them lower. What I'm saying is that there is no justification for any professional to tell beginner artists to price their art at professional level, it's simply them trying not to have competition.

[@miar3721]

i don't want to argue with you. I agree that competition is good, I'm saying that it becomes unfair when the prices become so insane that people can't compete. There are other factors and I think those are what you are considering. Intangibles also contribute to the pricing of products, therefore recognizable brands can sell identical products at a higher price because they have established a good face for their business. I think differing prices is absolutely okay because of this. But there are other factors and I think she had their best interest in mind when giving advice. Perhaps you think your prices are good for your art, and I think other artists are wrong for bringing down ones that price cheaper, but consider that it might be better to price higher for some people. If it was better for all artists to price lower than 20, everyone would be doing it. She's giving advice she thinks will be beneficial, you can disagree if you want, but maybe consider that your way isn't the only way.