Artist alley tips and tricks from other artists

To continue developing my own visual style, I want to focus more on branding and how my stall will look on the day. As my stall will be a reflection of myself and my work. It is important to remember this going into freelance practice as your image and brand are what people will see when approaching you in person or online, it will be their first impression and could be the decider on whether they give you business or not.

Reading material:
https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/blog/artist-alley-booths-starving-out-of-artist/
http://jojostory.net/post/110452410527/how-to-prepare-for-your-first-artist-alley
http://www.animeboston.com/artists/artists_alley_beginner_guide/
http://howtobeaconartist.tumblr.com/

I looked at a lots of blogs/posts from people who had done artists alley before as an idea of what to expect. Here is a summary of what I learnt.

• label prices prominantly but be aware people still probably wont read them (so some people don't enter a zone of awkwardness/afraid to ask you and just walk away)
• offer freebies, label them too, people might be shy otherwise.
• Engage passersby
• know your audience (who will be at the con, what are they in the market for?)
• Create a series for upselling

(I have considered doing this with my ivy/Harley images as dicussed earlier in my blog)

• printing costs and con costs should factor into pricing
• don't undersell your work ( can harm you and other artists and the industry)
• take an emergency kit (tape, scissors ect)
• Take business cards

(I have already discussed my doing this earlier in the blog)

• only offer comissions if you have time

I don't want to offer comissions on the day because my work on show is dgital and bringing a whole computer set up into a convention would just be difficult. My business card does state I am open for comissions however.

• be clear/make it clear what you specialise in
• display your art vertically, don't just lie it down on the table (people may not be able to get to your table to see it and so might miss your stall.) Have something they can see to draw them in.