Welcome to Gaia! ::

Yes. Pander. The other artist alley people might hate you for it, but you're barely going to get any business done without a little hard selling, or at the very least, self-assertion. Other than that, be prepared (for anything: bring munchies, water, a fan, paperweights, whatever), have an eye-catching display, talk to your customers, ask them about themselves, engauge them in conversation. That takes a little of the alienation out of hawking merchandise cold. Be polite. Bathe.

My sales broke down about like this:

The large charcoal drawings were initially $15 dollars, though I only sold one of those at that price. I sold two or three more at reduced prices, closer to $10 each. Obviously, this was the largest part of my sales.

I sold three drawings (mechanical pencil on regular computer paper, inked with pigma microns) of dragons. One person asked for a dragon, and when I was drawing that, someone else asked for one, and then it happened again. I think I sold those for like eight bucks. I had some more commissions at that price level, too: I drew one guy as a one-winged angel with a guitar (mostly my idea), I did a drawing of Kempachi Zaraki from "Bleach," I did a pencil drawing of one guy's kids, his daughter as a princess and his son as a jedi; All these were in the eightish buck range.

Here's what I learned: some people have something specific in mind. You can make money by being able to produce it on the spot. Other people have no clue what they want; make money off them by having a wide variety of things in stock, so they'll see something and realize they want it.

I have sold at cons three times now, Geek.Kon both years and once at NoBrandCon. I'll be at NoBrandCon again this year wink Anyway people like shinies/trinkets. Buttons are a big hit, that's where I've made most of my monies, but I also offer cards, bookmarks, prints, a comic, and I offer commissions. It's good to have a wide selection but be specific about how many different items you use an image on. If you make prints, get good quality. This will help prints sell, if they are better quality than a person can print at home the person will be more likely to buy them.

Don't be afraid to charge what YOU think your art is worth. Don't sell your stuff cheap because you don't think people will buy it. No matter what there is always someone who will think your stuff is overpriced, and if some one really wants it they will be willing to pay your price, also haggling is ok smile

Talk to your customers, if they are browsing, start a conversation. The friendlier you are, the more likely people will be to buy from you. Also make your table atractive, the more eyecatching your display, the more likely people will be too look at your stuff.

Don't be discouraged if you don't make very much at first. It can take awhile to be successful and people will be more likely to buy from you if they recognize you or your art. First time I sold was at Geek.kon's opening year i only made $30, that didn't even begin to cover my expenses but it was still worthwhile as I had a lot of fun and I was just getting started. 6 months later at NoBrandCon I made $130 which covered my part of the hotel bill and what I bought at the con, I think it was a step up XD At last year's Geek.Kon I only made between $60-70 and that went to hotel and gas, but from what I understand from talking to other artists and venders that was pretty decent considering the circumstances XD It appears a lot of people didn't bring spending money to the con and only rarely was there many people in the 2nd of 3 artist alley rooms that I was in XD

So, try to come up with some merchandise that's unique or at least stands out in some way, be friendly, and don't give up!