Convention Recap: Howler Art and Literary Festival 2024 - Part 1 - Vending
TRANSPARENCYEVENT RECAP
This one is going to be a little different, because this an event I threw. So this post is a recap of the event as a vendor, while the next post will be from the perspective of as an event coordinator.
General Thoughts
Sales were good, but not as good as last year. I sold 430 last time, so I was down about 100 bucks year on year. But the crowd was smaller, significantly so, so I will take that as a victory. Half the crowd, but not half the sales means I'm doing something right I think.
Small Thoughts
Not too many small thoughts this time.
I am growing more and more confident in my zines as a money maker. They are never gonna be a top seller, but they are going to be some fun, steady income.
I got a new book rack in...while I was at the event. I am now 2 for 2 in consecutive events with the things I want for an event being delivered while I am at said event. Sumiton Book Fest next Saturday will be my first time taking it for a spin, I'll let y'all know how it goes.
What...?
This section is where I relay the occasional WTF conversational moment(s) we get into at booths sometimes:
I got to have a fun chat with someone about my experience with a Flat Earther I know. This was WTF on my end, but theirs, as while they knew that Flat Earthers were real, they had never met anyone who actually knew one. So I was able to brighten/darken their day a little bit haha.
Panels
There were no panels, so I just had to sit at my booth and sell. Ugh.
Sales
Been to an art market outdoors? Then you know how these things go. My main thing was I was so busy running around running the event that I didn't really spend as much time selling in my booth as I could have. Luckily the LadyWife picked up my slack, which shows in the sales numbers of Southern Saudades that sold. Pretty good day, especially when you consider my only expense was 9 months of prep work... wait....
Daily Sales Numbers:
Saturday - 345.00
Total Sales Numbers By Item:
4 Bringing Home The Rain
2 Books 2 or 3
4 Omnibus 1
1 Omnibus 2
0 Omnibus Bundles
4 Southern Saudade
0 Dice
0 Dice Bundles
2 Zines
0 Zine Bundle
0 Ultimate Bundle
Total: 345.00
Fixed Expenses:
Badge: 0.00 (included in booth fee)
Booth Fee - 0.00
Hotel - 0.00
Total - 0.00
Grand Total Profit - 345.00
Special Addition: The Kiddo's First Booth!
The Kiddo has been making jewelry (and awesome masks) lately. I told her if she would make enough that I would let her set up at some events I am at, and operate under my business license. I'm eating the tax, and paying for the display stuff/booth fees, but it's a way for her to dip her toes into life as a vendor. I want her to see that there are ways to make money doing creative things. For now it's jewelry, but I bet over time she will start trying to sell some masks (her favorite she has made is what she is wearing in the picture). It was a proud moment for me that's for sure.
