Investment: Table fee = $350/3 = $117, Flight = $460, Hotel: $378/3 = 126 ==> Cost = $700| Profit: Approx. 2x cost
What sold most: Prints by a wide margin, and then ~ 30 books
SPX was amazing! This was my first convention out of state. We planned to do it with three friends but it ended up being just me and my friend Brandon Pogrob. As a benefit though, me and Brandon were able to spread out our stuff more on the table ^^. We were lucky and were placed near the entrance and next to Hamlet Machine, who attracted a large crowd throughout the event!
Pros
- Met lots of people (including a large amount of Tamora Pierce Fans!)
- easy to get to marriott from airport
- well-organized event - karaoke, opportunities to meet people
- got inspired by people there
- lucked out and got great table placement
Cons
- The initial costs cut deep into profit- would think twice about flying out to convention
- Could have bad table placement (all lottery luck!)
Things I learned
- Need to bring more than enough prints and can bring less books
- Must bring tablecloth and shelves
- don't fly to an out of state con if $$$ is your main goal
- don't forget business cards T_T
- 3 people is a tight fit for a full table
- Just because the even is called Small Press expo, doesn't mean books will be your bestseller