Anime Boston

[trevor]

It sounded like a nice idea at the time but I fear it'll be one of those shirts people won't buy because they won't want to admit they're a pervert. Like I'd never buy a shirt that says, "Veronica Mars gives me a boner." no matter how true it may be.

Actually, I think you'll sell out. From what my friends have told me about the crowd types at anime cons, they're a very free bunch and have tons of money to part with. Russell, a friend of Trevor and myself, sold tons at ACEN and it turned out one of the most profitable cons for a number of folks I know who decided to give it a whirl as their first anime con behind a table.
It will probably be the first con I table at since the booths are cheap and I'll actually have stuff out by then.

I think a lot of it is going to depend on the content that you're selling. Joe would do well at an anime con because some of his stuff is cute and appeals to that audience, and Russell and Josh do well because their stuff is based on animated properties.

My other friend that attended the con had a horrible first two days, though, and it wasn't until he started pushing his "how to make manga" and "how to make webcomics" books at the panels that he actually started selling through his stock.

It's all going to come down to the content that you sell and the contextual relevance of it. Anime con goers tend to be more open minded and less stuck up about their purchases, but my friend Erica (who does Mermaid Princess Azuri and Finding Nemo) didn't sell so great this time around.

It's more than just having content to sell, it's about having the "right" content to sell.

[joerules]

Yeah, we were able to move some of our straight stuff but it was really the cutesy stuff that we were selling hand over fist. We'll be bringing tons of tVB books and shirts, Matriculated and even JLCM but only a handful of Tales from the Pimp stuff.

[trevor]

Yeah, we were able to move some of our straight stuff but it was really the cutesy stuff that we were selling hand over fist. We'll be bringing tons of tVB books and shirts, Matriculated and even JLCM but only a handful of Tales from the Pimp stuff.

It's a good plan. Obviously, some cons are different, and the fact that you have more than just anime helps to set you apart (I like to think in a positive way), but that doesn't mean sales. The cute stuff helps, especially during the family day.

[mailer daemon]

That is a genius shirt, so much so that I'm surprised it hasn't been done already. All it means of course, is that next year there will be someone with an "I "tentacle" catgirls" shirt.

[joerules]

"Catgirls" ? Eww, that's a thing?

[trevor]

"Catgirls" ? Eww, that's a thing?

Cat girls kick ass, sir.

[logosmonkey]

"Catgirls" ? Eww, that's a thing?

Yeah, there are a lot of catgirls.

[afr0puff]

"Catgirls" ? Eww, that's a thing?

When I saw you guys at the meadowlands, every other person was dressed as a catgirl with a surgical mask.

[logosmonkey]

It sounded like a nice idea at the time but I fear it'll be one of those shirts people won't buy because they won't want to admit they're a pervert. Like I'd never buy a shirt that says, "Veronica Mars gives me a boner." no matter how true it may be.

Actually, I think you'll sell out. From what my friends have told me about the crowd types at anime cons, they're a very free bunch and have tons of money to part with. Russell, a friend of Trevor and myself, sold tons at ACEN and it turned out one of the most profitable cons for a number of folks I know who decided to give it a whirl as their first anime con behind a table.
It will probably be the first con I table at since the booths are cheap and I'll actually have stuff out by then.

I think a lot of it is going to depend on the content that you're selling. Joe would do well at an anime con because some of his stuff is cute and appeals to that audience, and Russell and Josh do well because their stuff is based on animated properties.

My other friend that attended the con had a horrible first two days, though, and it wasn't until he started pushing his "how to make manga" and "how to make webcomics" books at the panels that he actually started selling through his stock.

It's all going to come down to the content that you sell and the contextual relevance of it. Anime con goers tend to be more open minded and less stuck up about their purchases, but my friend Erica (who does Mermaid Princess Azuri and Finding Nemo) didn't sell so great this time around.

It's more than just having content to sell, it's about having the "right" content to sell.

I don't know, everyone I've talked to did extremely well. Better than they do with the same content at regular cons. It's a fairly wide spectrum of content as well. Steve, the aforementioned friend I think, did over twice the sales did at the show prior. From what he says a lot of his issue was salesmanship and table setup more than anything. He probably could have done even better.
Spike from Templar nearly broke 4 figures in profit, her stuff isn't particularly manga inspired, more European really. Webcomic based as well. Paul Sizers stuff isn't particularly manga based either, certainly some mild influence but no more than any other non mainstream artist working right now. He nearly broke 4 figures as well.

[logosmonkey]

I think mostly what I'm saying is that the buying public at standard cons are a more focused audience as far as what they'll purchase, Anime Cons have people who are more open to buying non mainstream works. All anecdotal though.

[trevor]

I think mostly what I'm saying is that the buying public at standard cons are a more focused audience as far as what they'll purchase, Anime Cons have people who are more open to buying non mainstream works. All anecdotal though.

Paul's stuff is totally manga based. The guy has worked for Manga the publisher. Granted, his newest work, BPM, is only manga inspired and not "manga" in the traditional sense. But it doesn't have to be to do well at an anime con. I'm just saying that it should be contextually relevant. ACEN has a few dances (one of which is a rave), so it's only natural that he sells out of a book about a DJ which is highly dance music influenced. He and I spoke at length about it while he was writing the thing. Great book, by the way.

I'm just trying to point out that decisions about cons to exhibit at shouldn't be based souly on how well someone else sold, especially if they sell a product or story very different from your own. Example: Your Uncle Charlie story would probably not sell as well at an anime convention as say a sci-fi story, or something with cute animals in it. I found that the audience at ACEN was more receptive to @$$hole! as a property than Temple. Perhaps some of it was my pitch, but I think it just resonated with that audience better. It was light hearted and fun, which is what everyone's there to experience.

Just trying to help people out (not trying to counter-point you, just making general statements), since I plan to be exhibiting next year as well (perhaps we can share a table at some cons like we talked about previously). I'm not saying (and this is in general, not just to Steve) don't go, I'm just saying be smart about which cons you chose to exhibit at versus just attend. Know your audience and know which product will work best with them, so that the con experience is worth it (especially financially).

[joerules]

Yo Steve, Why's Trevor shittin on all your plans yo?

[logosmonkey]

Because he's a dick

What I'm saying is that in a general sense, not specific to any particular genre, stuff sells a bit better at Anime cons because of the audience makeup. At normal cons now the majority of the buyers are bag and board style readers. They're there mostly for specific books and artists. Then there are the people there for the event of it, but they're not particularly there to buy stuff so much as see whats happening. These are broad generalizations though.
Same with Anime cons, their very hobby makes them more open to digital media and alternative comics. Which theoretically could lead to better sales for webcomic based properties and indy books. It also seems to be a younger demo, which could lead to the same thing.

Plus, I'm not saying don't target your audience, it would be retarded to say so. I'm saying that in general that demographic feels more open to non mainstream works than the demographic you get at a standard con. By standard con I mean one of the larger WizWorlds, NYCC, SDCC etc. I think at the smaller regional shows it's another demographic in and of itself.

Again though, it's all anecdotal... from both our sides really since neither of us has exhibited at any show

[logosmonkey]

Besides FEAR OF LIFE (previously UNCLE CHARLIE) won't be done for ages now. I got picked up to do a series for an indie publisher two days ago so most of my time will be on that project now. I get to write a Golden Age style superhero book. It'll be awesome

[logosmonkey]

Also, Joe can you guys pull an XL of the tentacle shirts for me to pick up from you guys at Chicago?