I'm Done With Comic Cons!

[@Deere5]

I really appreciate the honesty of all the creators. This was a very nice insight and thanks for another great video!

[@ScottSerkland]

Thanks, it was great to get everyone's honest opinions.

[@VictorRodriguezArt]

Hey, it's good to see in a wide scope of where conventions are going, I do agree that the cons are a little oversaturated right now and I've heard the same from other creators on KZbin that are going through the same as you are. I think it will decline a bit more and then it will get better it's a roller coaster trend. A big thing that is making it like this is the pop culture celebrities head lining the cons. I think after this year things will slow down all around now that Game of Thrones, MCU 10 year plan and Star wars sequels are wrapping up. So next year the oversaturation of cons will hit its peak and will probably slow down. That will be the time I think that indie creators can start building up again. Conventions will always continue but the oversaturation of cons will stop soon and it will give fans and creators breathing room to get into new and old things. Nostalgia will be a big thing in the upcoming years.

[@ScottSerkland]

I think you're right Victor. I don't think cons will go away, but I do think the bubble will burst and they will be forced to get back to basics.

[@idratherbedrawing4158]

I'm sorry that it was not a great experience for you this year. But you're a super creative guy and now that you freed yourself up to focus in new areas, I'm excited to see what happens next! Good luck! - Scott g.

[@ScottSerkland]

Exactly! Between the prep and the time exhibiting at conventions, I should be able to focus on some other things that I've been wanting to get going.

[@UFOHunterNikki]

As someone who has been attending conventions and sailing the artist alleys for 17 years, I think the problem lies within many different factors: 1. fanart has never been more accessible than it is right now. Twitter, instagram and tumblr have made it easy to share fanart and an artist's endeavours by using hashtags. are you using the right hashtags to draw people in to your brand? 2. prints dont sell as well because artists have branched out into other stuff like washi tape, buttons, acrylic charms/keychains. all these things are cheaper than 11 x 17 prints. young people attending the con are poor but will spend 8 dollars on a keychain of their fav. 3. what was popular 10 years ago isn't popular now. ten years ago you could make money off of your original art and ideas because not that many people were exposed to original art and ideas. now that twitter, instagram and tumblr exist, it's easy to post all your fancomics or original art and ideas and gain followers that way. the internet is over saturated with people's original art and comics. there are so many indie comic artists to follow and their art is top notch. and their webcomics are free to read mostly. so if you are an artist trying to pitch your comic book to someone who is already exposed via internet to hundreds of comic artists, its not going to work. 4. representation is key. people want stories with more diversity and LGBTQ representation. Especially young people. do your stories and art have good representation? 5. the internet has exposed us all to phenomenal artists who sell their art/keychains/buttons/stickers online. more and more artists are learning the trends of what sells and what is popular and artists are getting better and better with age. its easier to find great artists on the internet than it was 10 years ago.

[@ScottSerkland]

This is all fantastic feedback and it's good to hear from someone with as much experience exhibiting at shows as you. The only thing I would take issue with is the fan art versus original IPs. Fan art is everywhere and while I understand wanting to show your love for the properties your passionate about. The world needs more original ideas and in my opinion, we don't have enough new and original ideas out there. That being said, I am already doing most of what you're describing and I have a lot of other friends that are as well, but that doesn't seem to affect the declining sales numbers that many artist that have been exhibiting for a while are seeing. I sell many different products at different price points (probably to many): stickers, buttons. pins, badges, postcards, comics, sketches, prints, novelties, etc. and Yes young people don't have a lot of disposable income but that doesn't stop them from dropping $150 on an autograph from their favorite actor. I think that's where most of the dollars are being spent nowadays.

[@TheDreamSyndicateArts]

Maybe you want to check-out Maker Movement related fairs (in addition to other science-y things)? I feel like the Maker Movement's largely attributable to Mythbusters and there's a lot of STEM tie-ins within the movement.

[@ScottSerkland]

No doubt. I think that would be a good option for me.

[@JustCallMeInsane]

I agree with the Monster Ranger guy! I like fan art, but my first con I only sold one fan art piece, and the rest was all of my original stuff. Nothing made me happier than that, and I'm glad I went with my gut and had 80% original work and the rest just small fan art prints. Doing what everyone else is doing makes a stale artistic environment.

[@ScottSerkland]

Wow, That's Awesome! Sadly I don't think that's the norm though. I'm pretty sure if I started selling fan art it would blow my original ideas out of the water in terms of sales. But I want people to buy from me because they like my vision, not because I'm piggybacking off of millions of dollars that some corporation is spending to advertise their own original IP.

[@JustCallMeInsane]

@@ScottSerkland You're definitely not alone in that. I'm watching a lot of artists who've done mostly fan art start to go to original art only for these same reasons. I hope this encourages new IP's to emerge from small artists to add more diversity in the art we see at cons.

[@danieldavis7388]

The converse is that if you went and did fan-art, Scott, you'd have way more direct competition. But you already know that the long-game is original content.

[@gaelicwolf]

I live in a part of the country that is saturated with cons (Florida), with several large, well-established shows as well as numerous small cons. On the plus side, when I first began doing artist alleys just over a year ago, it was easy for me to find conventions that were small, inexpensive, and not terribly far away. But I wonder what the scene is going to look like after the events of 2020 so far.

[@ScottSerkland]

I think a lot of people are asking themselves that same question. Since we usually pay a year in advance for a comic con booth does that get refunded or rolled over and what percentage of conventions will just not end up returning. we'll see how things pan out.

[@bonesawzone]

Great video Scott! My family and I just went to the National Cartoonists Society Festival last weekend in Huntington Beach, CA. It seems like a pretty good alternative to the big cons, plus it’s outdoors and across from the beach! You should check it out!

[@ScottSerkland]

I heard about that. I know my co-host for the Artcasters Joshua Kemble is an NCS member, however, I am not. I'm not sure if that means that I can't exhibit there. I would definitely like to check it out though.

[@bonesawzone]

They still have the form for this past event available. It looks like they have a $200 charge to register as an artist but they discount $100 if you sign up as a member. No prices listed for exhibiting though. If you ever decide to attend it or any convention in southern California I would definitely swing by to say hi and purchase your work! Always looks great!

[@gerimi]

Thanks for sharing all this great feedback from your fellow creators. I ended up skipping PHX this year for a lot of the reasons you cited, but I am bummed I didn't get to see you this year. I'm sorry the show wasn't gang busters for you but you had a great launch with your Kickstarter and now you can build off that with future projects.

[@ScottSerkland]

I looked for you Gerimi, but you made a smart decision to skip it this year.

[@frankdavf4599]

Conventions were taken over by merchandising about comics, toys or other things that had nothing to do with secuential art, I mean, the analisis of the medium and exposition of new creative values were put behind all that hype. Instead of interactions between creative profesionals to grow or learn and consolidate the art and ethic and legal or laboral issues and creating new market for an entry to indie creatives and interact with possible readers, the mood was only to do a big market of stands. Here in Mexico is that i tell you.

[@ScottSerkland]

It doesn't sound like Mexico is that different from what's happening in the US.

[@camerondillon3266]

I’m sorry that you didn’t have a good con. That is a bummer. Great video though thank you for the honesty

[@ScottSerkland]

It’s kind of a bummer but there are many other opportunities out there.

[@camerondillon3266]

Very true. And you will find the perfect market for you. You have so much great stuff

[@chelseascreatures]

very the video was long but very educational. I am nervous to dive into a con booth. Mostly because of the huge booth sticker price. I've only done one smaller local convention BUT you make a good point about security... I don't remember seeing any at mine. Although cons can be great for getting that very honest option of what works. I was also selling prints... and ... I only sold one at my last con. I'm noticing a lot of my smaller stuff sells (mostly greetings cards at the moment).

[@ScottSerkland]

I'm definitely seeing a lot of the smaller items selling. My biggest sellers this time were my smaller 8 x 10 warning signs. even with the decline off print sales.

[@mlmattin]

We homeschool our children and we recently attended a large Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati. They had a pretty huge vendor area. While a lot of it was educational companies selling their textbooks and curriculum, there was also a lot of other products available that could be considered educational. For example card games, art kits, coloring books, board games, art supplies, puzzles, stationery, toys, etc. I would think that if you took your mad science products and then turned your comic creator download products into physical comic creator kits or something then that would go well at an event like this. Especially your stuff about robots and space (maybe not zombies so much). So perhaps conventions focused on education would work well for you. Teachers and homeschooling parents are always looking for fun projects and activities with colorful art that ties into the educational curriculum.

[@ScottSerkland]

Most of my best customers are teachers so I could see this as a definite option. The only problem is that industry trade shows tend to have a much higher price to exhibit. Typically about 4 or 5 times as much.

[@theotso2199]

I've cut back on my conventions schedule also. I feel that the cons have drifted away from the "Comic Convention" and made it celebrity circus. I attended my first convention in San Diego back in 1994 and it was small and affordable. Fast forward to now and its way outta hand. I rarely attend San Diego anymore. I used to look forward to going but dread it now. I also think that the conventions should focus more on the comics side and not so much on the fan and pin up artists. When ever I get a booth now Im sitting next some fan artist who is selling Marvel and DC prints. To me that shouldn't be allowed at these shows.

[@ScottSerkland]

I could't agree more. Last time I attended San Diego was in the early 90s right before Hollywood co-opted it. I don't see San Diego changing, but I think some of the other large shows may be forced to.

[@theotso2199]

@@ScottSerkland I also was a guest at a couple of the Phoenix shows when they started out but managers changed and they stopped reaching out to me and asking if I would like to be a guest. I liked PHCC it was really good to me and my creations but I guess times have changed and I now just hit up the small conventions to set up in Artist Alley to sell my comic books.

[@PeterPalmiotti]

Its been some time since I did conventions on a regular basis, a few here and there but not as much as I did years ago. I am interested in making a return but not loving the way cons have shifted over the past years.

[@ScottSerkland]

Yeah it’s very different. Especially the big shows. But with so many cons I think many of them are going to have to specialize and niche down in order to set themselves apart that may result in some of them wanting to get back to focusing on the art and the artists.

[@Stablemable2]

I really like Seans positivity and optimism. Jake Parker and Will Terry give really good advice too.

[@ScottSerkland]

I agree there is a lot of good positive advice from the artists featured here.

[@cetriyasArtnComicsChannel]

I'm all fine for participating small local cons that don't cost a lot and doesn't require me to do too much work. However like you and many others I have heard and I voice this already I think cons are a mixed bag at this point. The cost to go because of the High attendance doesn't pan out cuz most of the attendance is there for different reasons other than checking out the artist alley. You should check out the last couple of episodes of one fantastic week also seems like they have a different tune even the episode responding to Jake Parker

[@ScottSerkland]

True, and I did listen to the 1FW with Jake Parker, Pete made some good points, but his work is for a very different market and on another level. Even still I wouldn't be surprised if he starts seeing a decline in sales as well. Even Will Terry who can pull in numbers close to Pete Mohrbacher did poorly at Pheonix Fan Fusion.

[@GaryHodgesDVSM]

Now we're a couple days out I've organized my post-mortem PFF thoughts and while I could go on and on about it I've pretty much ended up on: I'm not sure I see the overwhelming benefits of big, pop-culture oriented cons anymore *if you're an indie*. There are SOME perks. You will find SOME new customers, and you do get to meet with fans - current and new - who want to have a relationship with the creator. But otherwise: too big, too overwhelming, too expensive, and overwhelmingly drawing a crowd that's not interested in indie stuff. I can think of a half dozen changes PFF and the like could make to make it more indie-friendly but at the end of the day I'd just assume focus on social media presence and smaller, enthusiast-focused cons. As for how *I* did: just barely broke even. Bizarrely, THURSDAY ended up being far and away my best day(!?). The vast majority of my sales were comics, which is great, but prints were nearly zero (so Daniel's take on prints checks out haha). And to show the meh-ness of PFF wasn't ALL PFF's fault: I think I confused the attendees a little with two very different product lines: my older, more goofy cartoony stuff and now a gritty, more mature sci-fi horror comic. In retrospect I should've focused entirely on the comic, offered comic-sourced prints, and left most the old stuff at home. On the second to last day PFF sent out an email offering $50 off your table if you renewed for 2020. It felt like a text from a lousy ex trying to get you back. You know it won't go well but you're still a little tempted. I am not going back though. My prediction is I probably will never do PFF again, I think there's better places to spend my time and money. P.S. I used to think "oh it's an easier road to hoe if you're doing fan art." But walking around artist alley I realized... 80% of it is fan art, so you'd be competing with all those people. The truth is it's ALL hard. It's just a sorta shitty, difficult scene to try and stand out in - for questionable returns.

[@GaryHodgesDVSM]

P.P.S. A "bon mot" I observed when talking about this with the guys next to me: the glut of superhero movies is increasing attendance to these things, but I don't think it's the right kind. Marvel movies aren't making people buy Iron Man comics, they're making people want to meet Robert Downey Jr. - and that's a really important distinction if you are debating buying space at a con.

[@GaryHodgesDVSM]

P.P.P.S. Another observation: if I was SMART, I'd leave the comics at home and sell water bottles for $3 each all weekend. I'm not entirely joking.

[@ScottSerkland]

I can't really disagree with anything you said here. Really the only way I can justify returning is if I was invited back as a guest at which point I would purchase an additional table, which actually might benefit them because they would get another table sale and would fill more space. I don't know how many people they have on the waiting list but I imagine they are going to have a big turn over of artist who do the show only to find it's not worth it to come back.

[@ScottSerkland]

True, most of the money the con spends probably goes to bringing in celebrate and most of the money attendees are spending is going towards celebrity meet and greets. All of the advertising I was bombarded with about the show centered around celebrity appearances for which I have no interest. If a celebrity came down to the hall to look around and stopped by my table I'd be happy to meet them, but paying someone for an interaction just doesn't appeal to me, obviously, I'm in the minority and no judgment on all the people who wait in line to buy celebrity autographs but it's not for me.

[@ScottSerkland]

that's not a bad idea but I'm pretty sure there is a whole separate process in place for food vendors.

[@CrimsonOwlComics]

This is a great video. I appreciate your advice. I know with my second comic app in development. I was wondering if I should try a different event.

[@ScottSerkland]

I don't know Ronnie. An app might be a hard sell at this event.

[@CrimsonOwlComics]

@@ScottSerkland ya, I was thinking the same thing, but thank you for all the advice.

[@Amelia_PC]

You know what we indies creators need? A Comixology who doesn't eat 80% of the sales. Taxes and fees: Comixology: 50% + Apple Store: 30% (if the reader uses a goddamn iphone to purchase your comic over there). We need an indie Comixology to make it profitable, because 80% of cents are laughable ... Hmm, it gives me ideas... a Kickstarter Campaign idea...

[@ScottSerkland]

Yeah, That's part of the reason my comics aren't on Comixology. An indie Comixology would be nice.

[@Amelia_PC]

​@@ScottSerkland Maybe it's an opportunity to help everybody. Hmm, I need some time to digest this idea and think of who could be a partner to make it happen. Comixology isn't working for us indies, and the Webtoon proposal about paying a few creators they choose isn't fair for diversity. An indie Comixology would be a solution, well, maybe.

[@TheTitaniumBunker]

@@Amelia_PC you could try comic haus it's indie comixology with minimal fees

[@Amelia_PC]

@@TheTitaniumBunker Comic Haus? Never heard of it. Thank you! Edit: Aw, now I see why nobody heard about them in the indie comic communities (I'm part of 4 communities). It's more a print version direct sale oriented. I thought it was similar to Comixology. Nah, for printed distribution, my publisher is dealing with Diamond. I found it in there: " Support creators - 50% of advert and subscription revenue will be split with creators based on how many times their books are read " Aw, no. It's unfair for creators who want only to sell digital copies. It's like Game Pass for games. Great for the audience, but terrible for a dev.

[@Gordidon]

I know is sad but you have to do whats best for you and your brand. Keep it up. I know you will do great stuff anyways.

[@ScottSerkland]

It's just an evolution, Even if one thing stops working there are many other opportunities out there.

[@rukawa23gold]

Mad Science comic. Sounds like a good product to exhibit at a science centric convention. Or astronomy convention.

[@ScottSerkland]

That's what I'm thinking.

[@rukawa23gold]

@@ScottSerkland Or Engineering convention

[@ciscoponch67]

Hey, Scott. Maybe part of the reason of low turn out, might have been that it was Memorial Day Weekend. Sorry it didn't turn out, the way you expected. But with any sales or marketing, it's the law of averages. "For every no, gets you closer to the sale."

[@ScottSerkland]

I'm not so sure, The event usually falls on Memorial Day about every other year and It doesn't happen on memorial day itself. it never seemed to negatively effect the con in the past. But I'll be fine. I have other opportunities to pursue.

[@ciscoponch67]

@@ScottSerkland I've been trying to build my portfolio to be able to do cons. And that, within itself, has been tough. Recently I've been doing Uber, here in Florida. I started doing it at the beginning and end of the season. It was fantastic, after the season was over, horrible. I now do Uber Eats and Rideshare, and its better. But this past Memorial Day, I saw huge amounts of people, that I've never seen from past years. That's why I was suggesting it. Keep the faith, Scott. It comes down to perseverance!

[@Rometiklan]

I love comic cons but it's changed a lot over the years. The evolution of technology, for starters, has really impacted cons. Video game booths distract a lot of the male-target audience from checking out art booths. Even companies like Samsung, and Apple have set up booths...what do they have anything to do with comics and art? It's become too corporate. Cosplay has reached crazy levels of popularity, and celebrities are more present at cons than ever before. All this stuff if great for fans, but I think ultimately, it only serves to distract fans away from what cons used to be where artists can sell their art and people can buy comics and talk to artists.

[@ScottSerkland]

I think with the massive amount of comic cons going on that at some point certain cons will have to niche down in order to provide a unique experience, when that happens I think you will start to see some cons going back to basics. Their are still fans out there who love comics but don't care about big celebrities or all the ancillary products that are only very loosely connected to comics if at all.

[@leenewey4683]

Wow impressive set up, where did you get the enamel pins made ?

[@ScottSerkland]

Thanks I use a company called Kunshan Centuries Gifts for my pins. If your interested send me an email to [e-mail] and I can give you my contact info.

[@drw381]

Phoenix Comicon rest in peace

[@ScottSerkland]

I'm pretty sure it will continue on, but for me it's not the same.

[@rowgue1414]

I'm exhibiting at my first convention in a couple weeks! Any pro tips? Still trying to figure out what to sell/focus on. Thanks

[@ScottSerkland]

Your in luck, I have a playlist on my channel called Pro Vs. Con. All my best advice is in those videos.

[@Amelia_PC]

Hey, Scott! Have you ever considered to offer your IP for a small game company, for a mobile game, for example? It'd be a good way to diversify your IP :)

[@ScottSerkland]

I have done a lot of work for mobile game companies, but never using my original IP. I have thought about possible partnering with an app company to build an app that uses my Avatar builder assets.

[@Amelia_PC]

​@@ScottSerkland Oh! It's perfect :) You already have the contact. If you show them your fan base data, you can convince a company for sure. Your IP would be a good fit for many game mechanics, mainly tower defense, hack 'n slash and TPS (strategy, not the shooter stuff). And the distribution is easier nowadays, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft have programs to support indies. Wow, I'm excited for you!

[@derekpizano176]

noooooo why

[@ScottSerkland]

Sorry, if a con wants to invite me as a guest I would consider going. But I was finding the amount of time I was spending prepping for a con with all the expenses just didn’t make sense financially compared to what I could earn just stay home and working on my own projects. I will miss meeting all the people but I’m still doing store signings and stuff like that that doesn’t require weeks of prepping.

[@corykerr]

Those pins are sick!

[@ScottSerkland]

Thanks Cory, I'm so happy I got them just in time for the con.

[@corykerr]

Serkworks Art Labs I’ll have to pick your brain a bit on those. I’ve been tempted to do that for a while now.

[@90sfresh40]

Pause at 23:19 HE LOOKS CRAZY LOL

[@ScottSerkland]

You have to be a little crazy to do this stuff.

[@90sfresh40]

@@ScottSerkland Keep up the great vids.

[@zombiegaby]

You were before your time lol

[@ScottSerkland]

Yeah, I'm glad I got out when I did or I would have paid for a few shows that would have never happened.

[@derekpizano176]

why dis be.