A note before the tips
Festivals differ in size, rules, cost and audience, so everything below is general. Treat it as a set of questions to ask, not a formula. Always read the organizer’s own information first; where it conflicts with advice here, the organizer is right about their event.
If you are attending
Before you go
- Read the basics. Dates, opening hours, ticket requirements, location and any code of conduct. Some events limit entry or require advance tickets, and details can change.
- Look at the program and exhibitor list. If a list is published, mark a few creators or sessions you want to see. Leave gaps; schedules slip and wandering is part of the experience.
- Set a budget. Small books and prints are tempting. Decide a limit in advance, and remember that many small sellers prefer certain payment methods, so carrying some cash and a card is often sensible.
- Plan travel and timing. Popular events can be busy at certain times. Arriving early or visiting late in the day may be calmer, although this varies.
- Check access information. If you need step-free routes, seating, quiet areas or other accommodations, look for details and contact the organizers if something is unclear.
On the day
- Bring something to carry purchases. A sturdy tote and a folder for flat prints help prevent bent corners.
- Wear comfortable shoes and keep water handy. Long days on your feet are tiring.
- Browse before buying. Take a first lap, note what stands out, then return. This often leads to better choices than buying at the first table.
- Ask permission before photographing. Creators’ work and displays, and the people at them, should not be photographed without asking.
- Be patient at busy tables. Step back if the creator is in the middle of a sale and wait your turn.
- Ask open, friendly questions. “What is this about?” or “Where can I read more online?” usually works well. Avoid asking creators to give away work or demanding free sketches.
After you go
Note the creators you liked and follow their online pages. If you want to continue reading, a simple reading list helps you remember what you picked up. A kind message to a creator whose work you enjoyed is also a nice thing to send, and many appreciate it.
If you are exhibiting
Exhibiting is a business activity and can be stressful. Expectations help.
Decide whether it makes sense
Consider the table fee, travel, lodging, printing and the time spent preparing. Also consider the audience: does this event draw readers likely to enjoy your kind of story? Sales are never guaranteed, and many first-time exhibitors find the benefits are as much about meeting people as about income. A hypothetical example: if a table costs a fixed amount and printing adds more, you would need to sell enough items to cover both before you earn anything. Work out your own break-even point before committing, using your real costs.
Prepare your table
- Make your name and work obvious. A clear banner and a short description of what you make help people decide to stop.
- Offer a range of items. Many creators bring a mix, such as stickers, prints and books, so visitors with small budgets can still buy something. The best mix depends on your audience.
- Keep a sample readable. An open copy of your book or a tablet with an episode lets people try the story quickly. Digital creators can add a sign or code that leads to their online series.
- Check what you are allowed to sell. Work based on characters you do not own may be restricted. Even a few copyright basics are worth knowing here, and ask the organizer if you are unsure.
- Pack practical supplies. Tape, scissors, a cash box or payment device, bags, a pen, a simple price list and spare batteries or chargers.
During the event
- Be welcoming without being pushy. A smile and a brief greeting usually go further than an aggressive pitch.
- Be prepared for slow periods. Draw, talk with your neighbors or rest. Quiet hours are normal and not necessarily a sign of failure.
- Keep your energy up. Eat, drink water and take breaks, ideally with a friend to cover the table.
- Track sales and costs. Simple notes make it easier to judge the event later and prepare any records you need. Tax and licensing rules vary by place, so check local requirements.
- Collect contact details only with consent. If you offer a mailing list, explain clearly what people will receive.
Afterward
Review what worked. Which items sold? Which conversations were useful? Would you do it again? Write down notes while they are fresh. Thank organizers and neighbors, and follow up with any contacts. Rest as well: exhibiting is tiring, and creator burnout does not only come from deadlines. Resuming your posting schedule gently after a busy event is more realistic than expecting full speed immediately.
Common mistakes
- Overspending or over-printing out of excitement, and ending up with boxes of unsold stock.
- Assuming one festival will change an audience overnight. Results usually build slowly.
- Skipping the organizer’s rules, deadlines and deposit terms.
- Neglecting to arrange help, food or breaks.
- Treating other exhibitors as competitors instead of potential friends and collaborators.
A closing thought on expectations
Festivals reward curiosity and kindness more than polish. Visitors who ask questions and creators who talk honestly about their work tend to have good days even when sales are modest. Because events vary so much, the best preparation is to read the information provided, start small if you are unsure, and be ready to adjust.