How to ACTUALLY Make Money in Artist Alley for Beginners in 2024 (And Profit $$$)

[@betterlooking120]

I’ve been in customer service for 5 years now and a general rule of thumb for ANY customer facing area is that if there’s one thing customers won’t do, it’s read. You’re going to be asked a question that has the answer plastered in bold underlined font two inches to their left. Every third customer is going to ask you that same question. The WORST thing you can do is say “It’s on the sign.” That makes the customer feel dumb for missing that, and the last thing you want is for them to remember you as the artist that embarrassed them. Just smile and answer the question and laugh and say “It’s no issue!” when they inevitably read the sign the second you finish your sentence and go “Oh, it’s right there!”

[@hellaradusername]

Tried the storage cubes, price list and branded table runner (the last two were inexpensive DIY affairs but it fits my brand) and had sales 10% higher than my best day in the 2022 holiday season, in April. Thanks for making these!

[@Mualcaina]

That’s amazing! Glad this helped you 🙌🏼

[@0ctobuss]

Helps alot to just be generally pleasant as you’ve said- I’ve never tabled myself but as an attendee I’ve had artists be generally rude and dismissive when trying to purchase from them and when that happens 100% of the time I decide to spend my money elsewhere even if the art is lovely ^^ I totally get customer service is exhausting, working in overwhelming environments stinks, but understanding your goal is to turn a profit at these events is important to at least be cordial if you’re too exhausted to be kind to your customers. Thank you for these videos! I hope to one day table at a con and like many others have said, your wisdom is beyond value to aspiring event artists.

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you for watching, and I totally agree! As an ambivert, I'm lucky I can come across as extroverted during events, but that's bc I charge my social battery during off hours 😂 The customer experience is definitely a contributor to whether someone would want to purchase from a booth

[@PricefieldPunk]

The first tip about posting on social media where your booth is and pics of what youre selling is super important. Like at Anime Expo that Artist Alley is so huge its so easy to get lost when so many booths all look really similar. I went to specific booths of artists I didnt even know about cause i wanted to buy something i saw on twitter that they posted

[@CatbaronAle]

I go to cons just for artist alleys and I always make a point to hit up the tables of folks I follow. But I get super overwhelmed by con environments quickly so it’s super helpful when I can beeline to the booths of artists I admire and want to support 🙏🏼

[@Jetbytes]

i'm so glad you mentioned the eyesight thing. As a cosplayer I often have so much trouble seeing what prints people have behind them or the pricing because I might have hair covering one of my eyes, or because I have vision obscuring contact lenses in or I'm looking through a piece of coloured glass. Having prices up close, easy to see or a book I can flip through of your prints is sooo nice!!!!

[@mrs.quills7061]

That directors chair is a great idea for those who can’t physically stand or have back issues or something. Your videos are so helpful.

[@phoebegemini]

I'm tabling at my first ever Artist Alley in August so this is a great video for me!

[@Mualcaina]

How exciting! Best of luck with your first Artist Alley 🎉

[@ymjnsofficial]

Same omg!! I'm also tabling at an artist alley in August this year. :) Best of luck to you!!!

[@halflink]

What a video! Choke full of the excellent universally applicable advice (I'm not in either anime or cons field, but almost all of you said I can take on board and use). Also, the quality of your products (both design and manufacturing) is immediately apparent even to someone who is totally not into anime (like me) 👏 The only comment though is about the big and very obvious price list (catalogue is a good idea, but potential customer still needs to approach you to ask for it/pick it up). I, personally, if I don't see the prices upfront and the products are too small to see from some distance, most likely would walk past (especially if I either only just arrived - so hasn't yet warmed up for socialisation 😂 - or already tired from all the social interactions I had to do)

[@bluewolf.cosplay]

My friend and I are both artists and have thought of selling prints, she suggested us opening a shop together and we were just to a con yesterday and I suggested on our way back "hey there's that smaller con coming up this summer, what if we tried selling some work there? Be a starter and selling, but we're also not in way over our heads with it being smaller for just starting" and she seems on board with it!! I'm trying to figure out how to start from scratch with a pretty small budget, with both have socials but we aren't big like that yet, so how would you recommend for us?

[@Mualcaina]

I have a few videos on my channel where I share tips on starting in Artist Alley!

[@zyintia]

I've been selling at cons for 10+ years and am just now getting back into it after I stopped in 2020. Even though this is a "for beginners" video I still learned a few things! Thanks for sharing this info :D

[@insomniacillustrations]

Ooh, I really like the stamp rally tip! It sounds like a lot of fun!

[@augustawickmanart]

I just recently came across your channel and have been watching a lot of your videos over the last week. Your artist alley videos are really helpful and really well made. I really like this one. You have a ton of useful tips & tricks here such as offering deals and incentives, having multiple different options to take payments, having a stamp challenge with other artists at the con, etc... Great stuff! I'm fairly new to artist alley and appreciate the tips. Thanks for making these videos!

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you so much for the kind feedback, I'm glad you're finding these videos helpful!

[@eminempreg]

the stamp rally is such a fun idea omg!!

[@Mualcaina]

It's definitely a fun addition to cons!

[@spatraart]

ok first of all, Thanks. I love the clarity in your info. I like that you get down to points and explain them concisely while in detail. really respect that!

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you found this helpful!

[@skunkgirl456]

Im gonna start doing artist alley soon and this really helps allt with learning the ins and outs of everything! Also you art is so cute!!

[@steljxc]

I'm torn about greeting or not greeting people when they pass by my booth as most of people here feel pressured and leave instead although they wanna buy... something similar as to when salesladies/men in malls make you feel pressured when you try to check for clothes >

[@Ghosttraveler]

I always love seeing your set ups and this video was so nice!! I've only done markets so far and can't wait to do cons.

[@Mualcaina]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

[@michaellaNH]

The free square reader accepts chip and tap!! At least on my iPhone it does still work

[@Kakibot]

So many great tips! Thank you so much - I am about to attend my first ever artist market and I am terrified! But so many of these were really helpful.

[@michaelamadeit]

Super helpful to see that I’m doing a lot of things similarly in maker markets! Thank you for sharing your tips!

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you for watching!

[@Artemiswitchcosplay]

Your videos are legit helping me out! Especially your ita bag video! 💙💙😊

[@goobersonly]

Yesss Maci!!! Love how you make your videos!!! Very informative!!! ☺💕💕💕💕

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you so much Jackii!! 🥹🫶🏼

[@Cosmos_Dream]

I have a Sumup Solo and love it. It has it's own internet access, so I don't need to pay for the venue's access. I also don't have to connect it to my phone, so I don't have to hand over my phone to customers. I can highly recommend it.

[@ResetKeisha]

This is something I want to do. I love pins!

[@secretavenger9444]

Thanks for this vlog. Very informative for us planning to showcase as an artist at cons.

[@Mualcaina]

Best of luck at your next con!

[@samconcklin]

Thank you for the great tips! May I ask where you got your badge ribbons printed? The few options I’ve seen online feel sketchy and I want to go with a printer I can trust

[@Gleamiarts]

i've never heard of the ribbon thing wow that's really cool

[@Mualcaina]

It’s definitely a fun incentive!

[@extremesubtlety]

Super helpful tips!!

[@candibunni7942]

Where do you get your pins made? Can you make a merch manufacturer reccomendation?

[@krissym1430]

Hi there, I have been watching your videos and noticed you've been saying B Grade a lot. What kind of products count as "B Grade"? Like slightly damaged or colors not 100% accurate? Not sure if you will see this but it has me curious. Thank you~

[@wannawandaart]

hi, maci! do you have tips on how to accurately monitor your sales during con? would appreciate some tips because i feel like it could get really overwhelming selling in person, and maybe even more confusing when there are deals (or maybe that's just me HAHA) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!! super helpful 💙💗 (pls correct me if i spelled your name wrong huhu)

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you found this helpful! Definitely a good video suggestion 👀

[@wannawandaart]

@@Mualcaina 👀👀

[@wannawandaart]

Dropping by again to drop a topic suggestion (no pressure in doing this tho!) It would be nice to get a few more tips on how to pack for an art convention that's kinda far from where you live

[@FuelledByPocky29]

Haven't tabled at an artist alley for a while, so I really appreciate these tips!! I was wondering, for the square reader, are there fees that get taken with each transaction?

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

12:31 never heard of ribbon cons??

[@Lisasplace]

i can't stress it enough. Check if things such as sum up etc need you to have a business account in order for them to work. I use sumup, and happend to have a registered business. But without one (at least where i live) i cou;dn't use one and would have wasted money. For some reason sites don't mention it.

[@marthavarner3961]

The terminal is currently like $50 off at Sam's club.

[@kimzibin3733]

Hello! How did you make your catalogue?

[@gentlecard_tom]

How do gatcha pons work? Does it take quarters or is what you mean is that they play you and you hand them a token to slot in?

[@leboston_terrier]

Hi I just have a question about the stickers and pins we can sell in convention : does it have to be copyrighted ? Bcs idk if it's legal to make profit on items with Fanart of the series' authors' characters 🤔 ( sry if i didn't write it right i'm french)

[@tnt.moon.02]

Do you still recommend mystery bags for first-time artists at a con with minimal merchandise?

[@pathofthen7988]

Hi! Wanted to ask if you also have a Square Account and is it required in order to use a square reader. Thank you!

[@Mualcaina]

Yes, you need to make an account with square to use their reader

[@sarahmoore7483]

Can I ask how much money you generally bring in cash to a convention? I'm trying to figure out how much in $1 & $5 I need to bring

[@tnclinton5]

Hi! Do you need a sellers permit to sell artwork?

[@animegirlhaven]

❤

[@MarshmellowDoodles]

Catalog/laminated item list idea just not sure how to incorporate this in a hand made item setting? Maybe I could make little digital doodles of the multi stock items as to just represent the ideas?