So I realize I am REALLY REALLY REALLY LATE in reflecting on my time at Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase, otherwise known as BICS! It was my first major showcase and I had so much fun and I learned a bunch about what to do as well as what not to do:
This year Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase is scheduled to return to Industry City in April (more details are to come as soon as I can release them) and I want to make sure that I am prepared and so I am hitting the ground running so that when the applications go out, and hopefully I am accepted to showcase again, I’ll be ready.
I will most definitely keep my original setup with a few adjustments this time. I most definitely want to get a light blue table cloth this some additional display options (preferably in blue )so that I can really show off all that potential customers can purchase at my table. I am also thinking of preparing a sneak peak of the sequel for people to read, perhaps the first 4-5 pages, and I want to have earrings to display as well, in addition to art prints, stickers, smaller art prints, and of course my first Graphic Novel, Apples Bananas and Neurons. This year however, there will be two options the Standard edition printed with a lighter paper and then of course a few copies of the Collector’s edition priced at $40.00 for those interested in a shinier, heavier weighted edition of the book. The former edition will now be priced at $25.00 just as a heads up. I also need to display my prices more visibly for potential customers to see. Oh! And how could I forget that I will also be selling my newly added accordion style book the The Ant and the Ascension and the The Balloon and the Companion!
I did however, make some adjustments from day 1 to day 2 that were helpful but, next year I want to start strong from the beginning!
I am also thinking of incorporating some promotional games to spark the interests of my guests and to encourage sales, and engagement with my work. This requires research so I will be sure to set aside some time to figure out what games work best for my brand and how best to execute them. And of course figuring out where to put everything within the allotted space.
In addition, I want to interact and network more with everyone. Last time I felt so blessed and honored to just be sitting in the room with all these amazing artists that I sat at my table for most of the weekend taking it all in. Next year however, I want to move around some more, meet, greet, and support other artists and make some lasting connections. My networking skills are in need of a tune up and so the goal is not only to meet new people but also to maintain those connections overtime. Oh! This reminds me that I also need to have a sign up sheet for guests to add their email addresses to so that they can join my mailing list. And I too want to join the mailing lists of the other presenting artists as well so that I can stay in tune with all of the amazing endeavors that everyone is embarking on. It really truly is so exciting! Thus with my hopes of being prepared I have some pictures to share of my progress thus far!
My One Woman Assembly Line! Trying a new approach this time of painting the clay afterwards instead of cooking it in.
The front of the earrings in progress!
Adding the embellishments!
Close up!
Behind the Scenes for the book binding of the Ant and the Ascension/The Balloon and the Companion!
Another goal is to not get overwhelmed! Yes! There is a lot to do but all I have to do is to keep a steady pace, remembering that doing things little by little wins the race. I’m already amazed by how much I’ve done in the past 3 days by keeping this in mind. And of course, I have to remember to take my breaks as well!
Also, I realize I didn’t quite discuss the things I could improve on here are some of the things I did really well! I LOVED my display! I spent a lot of time researching potential designs and I am very happy with the final design that I decided on. In addition, despite my assessment that I need to up my networking skills, I am still very proud of the networking I was able to do and am proud of myself for the connections that I was able to make, I did art exchanges with other artists, exchanged contact information, and had some great conversations once I warmed up a little.😁
Overall, I am just excited about this journey and continuing to grow as an artist, and a business woman, all while developing stronger networking skills.
So let’s do this!
Stay tuned everyone, more news is on the horizon!
Until Next Time!
