Anime Next (June 20-22)

[joerules]

We got invited to attend Anime Next, which with what they were offering and the fact that it's so close to NY, was to sweet a deal to turn down. Sadly it is the weekedn before Chicago which means we'll be doing about 9 days of Con'in with a Monday off in the middle. it also means that I'll be doing the show alone on Friday since my boys already put their days off into the Chicoigan road trip. Stop by to see a very lonely terrified anti-social Joe.

And if you want to see that save husk of a man furiously sweatign be sure to stop by the panels. (They've just announced the program schedual on the site - http://www.animenext.org/ ) I'l be participating in a few.

- Webcomics
- The Business of Webcomics
- In it for the long haul (about keeping motivated during long term projects)
- Using Photoshop.

They've also got me and a group of pther web comic artists lined up for signings each day. I've warned them that it'll be dead. Certainly not what they're used to for voice actor signings.

If you're in the area stop on by!

[Tom Brazelton]

Dude, that's sweet! I wish an event organizer would invite me to a con.

Well, a con I could attend, at least.

Very need that you'll be speaking on some panels. I would love to do that.

I hope you'll be in good shape for Chicago! That's a lot of conning to do!

[trevor]

Awesome deal, dude. Were I in the area and available, I would totally attend with you and keep you company in the booth!

[joerules]

That's the worst thing for me personally. i'm terrified about the panels but I'm going to be useless by myself behind the table.

[Tom Brazelton]

There's no trick to it, really. All you have to do is stay on your feet, be friendly and engaging.

You don't have to be like Phil and throw merchandise at people. Sometimes just saying "Hi" is the best opening line there is.

I have that little speech prepared that I use and I find it works well. Ad lib as you please.

[chamber715]

You don't have to be like Phil and throw merchandise at people.

I wasn't actually the one doing the throwing and neither was Irv...

[joerules]

Oh, we have a pitch for the table i'm just really bad at it. I've evolved it into throwing things.

I used to do the pitch a lot until things got busy. Phil and Irv got really good at it too. Now, the only way I'm good, is if people know who we are or have at least heard of us. In those cases I can usually close the deal.

[trevor]

The trick for you if you're solo at the con AND sitting on panels is this: who's watching the booth while you're out?

I mean, in Tom's case, I'd like to think that he attends cons where his friends could step in for a sec if he had to get a sandwich or use the restroom.

But if they invited you to the con, then maybe they can help supply someone to watch your booth while you're panneling.

[joerules]

They've already offered someone to run it for me, but I'd be way more comfortable just shutting it down for an hour. I wouldn't trust a voulenteer to handel the money especially when there's that much merch on the table. there's no way I'd be able to keep track of it.

[trevor]

They've already offered someone to run it for me, but I'd be way more comfortable just shutting it down for an hour. I wouldn't trust a voulenteer to handel the money especially when there's that much merch on the table. there's no way I'd be able to keep track of it.

Understandable. I had meant that they could assign someone to watch it for you, not run it for you.

My bad.

[joerules]

Oh yeah, yeah, sorry. They offered both. I'd kind of feel weird about both you know? I'm overy paranoid.

[Tom Brazelton]

I get where you're coming from, Joe.

I'd probably just shut it down and leave a note letting people know what panels you're speaking on and where they can find you.

Ge a dry erase board since you're speaking at more than one!

[joerules]

That's not a bad idea.

[trevor]

I get where you're coming from, Joe.

I'd probably just shut it down and leave a note letting people know what panels you're speaking on and where they can find you.

Ge a dry erase board since you're speaking at more than one!

Tom's got a good idea. I would go with that one.

[striogi]

I'd take them up on someone watching the table for you. Fanime did that. you can also get the white board to tell people where you are and when you are returning, as the volunteers may not necessarily know.

Fanime offered the same service to the Artist Alley booths, something I greatly appreciated. It's a good feeling to know that nothing is just going to walk off, however I wouldn't trust a volunteer to get the sales part right.

And if you consider the time it takes to pack things securely and then unpack when you return...