So far the longest opening hours for me was 11 hours and that felt like it was more than enough. Especially when you do a little setup and takedown every day and have to drive a bit is essentially is a 16-hour day. Seeing artists being there literally all day feels like a documentary about the war trenches
Oh MAGfest. My favorite time of year ❤ My partner and I picked up some of your Ghibli Nouveau prints(I talked her into the bundle set 😂) and it was super fun briefly talking with you. She’d seen your video on working conventions and was hoping you’d make it out. Next stop: Otakon
Magfest has always sounded like an incredible show that is also a nightmare because of the hours. I've never even applied because the cost to travel there is way too high for me, so it's neat to see snippets of the show like this.
i would really love to make it to an american convention one day! its a dream achievement for me. i'm all the way in new Zealand, and i do all the usual new Zealand cons and markets right now. im expanding to australia this year. hopefully one day i will make enough to get that far! thanks for sharing!
There is zero chance I'd do a con that has hours longer than 10 hours MAX and that's pushing it if it's a multi-day event. It's insane to me that there are cons that are open 24+ hours.
I will say the cool thing about a 24hr show is there is no pressure to stay the whole time, you pick your hours, unlike other shows that might get pissy if you leave early. so it just depends
Dustin, much respect to you for giving us a break down of expenses/profit. This info is great to know cuz it shows what real opportunity exists selling art at cons. Regarding other venues to attend, 15:50, have you thought about applying to more traditional art shows that paint-on-canvas artists go to? Very few anime/manga/comic artists would likely ever think to got there. Sure, buyers at those shows may look at you funny, but hey, your art would really stand out from other artists there, which could actually be a good - no, profitable - thing!
Any recommendations, I'm not aware of many of them. The closest thing I've done to that is Illux Con, which was fun but I wouldn't say it was very profitable
HeroesCon in Charlotte every June. It's not unique like Magfest or DragonCon, except for the fact that it focuses heavily on actual comics art and artists. It's not so toy-focused and overflowing with D-list celebrities charging for photos. Granted you're not a comic artist (I don't think), but clearly your art would go over very well with that crowd anyway.
@@Inkwell Felt. Walkable cities should be a thing here in U.S. Weird how Japan is just as hypercapitalist as U.S. but U.S. does not prioritize public transportation development. But I digress, MAGFest seemed really cool and unique!
Got to attend for the first time this year and was able to get one of your gold magikarp bags! Thank you for the video -- your reviews and breakdowns are so helpful in keeping things in perspective. Hoping to table there next year (MAG gods willing), but if not, I certainly plan to attend again. Can confirm that staying in the Gaylord is hella convenient. Most AA applicants I know went through the lottery and reserved something even before knowing their app status, then would cancel their reservation if they were waitlisted/denied (or if they found another room to join). Twas a very turbulent thing, that process. Still better than Katsu's hotel lottery though, by a long shot.
I'm curious about long distance artist alley boothing- I don't know how I'd get my displays / merch cross country. 😣 Not to mention the pain of having different sales tax laws in each state. But magfest looks wild! Thanks for the comprehensive video!
The food tech is to order catering way in advanced - Big Red Halal and Roll Play have always done me right (this is tech if you have a National Harbor room)
I've been selling my work at Magfest for 7 or 8 years now and figured out after my first one that the drunk sales that everyone hypes up so much are NEVER worth it lol. Sure, some artists' experiences are going to vary here and there, but what someone considers successful in sales is going to vary substantially as well. But when it comes to drunk ppl there's never gonna be a sales rush haha
Is that what happens between days at any convention? You guys just cover your stuff/art with blankets/cloth until the next day? Thanks for sharing all these by the way. Much appreciated .
Its so interesting to see how different it seems to be in different countries. I table in a ocuntry in Europe and hope to expand to the ones close by soon! Love the people that are open about what they make as that can be great guidance and reference points, even if it sometimes can hurt.. Thank you for the great video!
Magic does small tournaments usually you have to be a magic creater to go to them though. But i could see using some of your art for tokens and stuff might be worth looking into. maybe not.
Hmmm, I might be able to do that one. I have relatives in the Baltimore area. 7 hours away from Ohio. 4 days though would exhaust the shit out of me. Weirdest and best show I did was Comfest here in town. Catch is you have to be local. Booth prices were stupid cheap and like clockwork, I made the same $$$ every year at it. Crowd is 250k. They are drunk and or high... all weekend. Ready to make bad decisions and buy a print they don't need. A fair chunk of thg these people are also wearing little to no clothing. Big downsides are it is outdoors in peak summer.
I will never understand how at cons artists (who are already paying a lot to get a stand) never get a free food/services pass. Like I get normal people have to pay, but the people working??? C'mon
@@Inkwell Aw I also hope it times out well! A lot of artists who fly in for the kon just take a vacation afterwards as well~*☆ 😆 Visit some beaches and eat good food 🍣🍹
So far the longest opening hours for me was 11 hours and that felt like it was more than enough. Especially when you do a little setup and takedown every day and have to drive a bit is essentially is a 16-hour day. Seeing artists being there literally all day feels like a documentary about the war trenches
It is without a doubt a battle of some sort!
As a fellow vendor these vlogs/breakdown videos are always appreciated. Also didn't know about Magfest, seems like a pretty unique con!
Oh MAGfest. My favorite time of year ❤
My partner and I picked up some of your Ghibli Nouveau prints(I talked her into the bundle set 😂) and it was super fun briefly talking with you. She’d seen your video on working conventions and was hoping you’d make it out.
Next stop: Otakon
ahhh thanks so much! i really appreciate it!
Magfest has always sounded like an incredible show that is also a nightmare because of the hours. I've never even applied because the cost to travel there is way too high for me, so it's neat to see snippets of the show like this.
i would really love to make it to an american convention one day! its a dream achievement for me. i'm all the way in new Zealand, and i do all the usual new Zealand cons and markets right now.
im expanding to australia this year. hopefully one day i will make enough to get that far! thanks for sharing!
Best of luck! Maybe one day ill do a show out there!
@@Inkwell that would be so amazing!!! its very rare to get overseas artists here!
There is zero chance I'd do a con that has hours longer than 10 hours MAX and that's pushing it if it's a multi-day event. It's insane to me that there are cons that are open 24+ hours.
I will say the cool thing about a 24hr show is there is no pressure to stay the whole time, you pick your hours, unlike other shows that might get pissy if you leave early. so it just depends
It's kind of a cool concept & optional to how much you want to be open!
This looks so fun. I want to try it. 24/7 sounds great for table sharing.
It is definitely a strat
Dustin, much respect to you for giving us a break down of expenses/profit. This info is great to know cuz it shows what real opportunity exists selling art at cons. Regarding other venues to attend, 15:50, have you thought about applying to more traditional art shows that paint-on-canvas artists go to? Very few anime/manga/comic artists would likely ever think to got there. Sure, buyers at those shows may look at you funny, but hey, your art would really stand out from other artists there, which could actually be a good - no, profitable - thing!
Any recommendations, I'm not aware of many of them. The closest thing I've done to that is Illux Con, which was fun but I wouldn't say it was very profitable
Conventions have changed so much. They are not as appealing as they used to be. Your videos are extremely helpful for building up business. Thx
It’s definitely far more competitive.
HeroesCon in Charlotte every June. It's not unique like Magfest or DragonCon, except for the fact that it focuses heavily on actual comics art and artists. It's not so toy-focused and overflowing with D-list celebrities charging for photos. Granted you're not a comic artist (I don't think), but clearly your art would go over very well with that crowd anyway.
oh wow, i've heard alot about magfest before but i've never been there. will be sure to check it out next year!! all hail danny decheeto
you missed out on a wild time, I can barely remember it 🍻
Great video as always! I really enjoyed Sean's rant about trains and public transportation. Felt that hard to my core lol
We went to Japan recently and then felt the dread x10 the moment we returned to the States and had to navigate through LA traffic...
@@Inkwell Felt. Walkable cities should be a thing here in U.S. Weird how Japan is just as hypercapitalist as U.S. but U.S. does not prioritize public transportation development. But I digress, MAGFest seemed really cool and unique!
+1 to Spencer for the aeropress.
Got to attend for the first time this year and was able to get one of your gold magikarp bags! Thank you for the video -- your reviews and breakdowns are so helpful in keeping things in perspective. Hoping to table there next year (MAG gods willing), but if not, I certainly plan to attend again.
Can confirm that staying in the Gaylord is hella convenient. Most AA applicants I know went through the lottery and reserved something even before knowing their app status, then would cancel their reservation if they were waitlisted/denied (or if they found another room to join). Twas a very turbulent thing, that process. Still better than Katsu's hotel lottery though, by a long shot.
I'm curious about long distance artist alley boothing- I don't know how I'd get my displays / merch cross country. 😣
Not to mention the pain of having different sales tax laws in each state.
But magfest looks wild! Thanks for the comprehensive video!
getting real good tetrising your luggage for flights, I also have a different booth set up that breaks down better for travel shows
I was hoping there would be footage of all the locked doors at the airbnb XD
Oh geez ☠️☠️☠️
This is amazing, 16 hour days are insane ☺☺☺
Have you broken down what of your work sells the best typically?
The food tech is to order catering way in advanced - Big Red Halal and Roll Play have always done me right (this is tech if you have a National Harbor room)
I've been selling my work at Magfest for 7 or 8 years now and figured out after my first one that the drunk sales that everyone hypes up so much are NEVER worth it lol. Sure, some artists' experiences are going to vary here and there, but what someone considers successful in sales is going to vary substantially as well. But when it comes to drunk ppl there's never gonna be a sales rush haha
Is that what happens between days at any convention? You guys just cover your stuff/art with blankets/cloth until the next day? Thanks for sharing all these by the way. Much appreciated .
Yep we just cover it up, and pack the stock up under the table, I’ll take anything super valuable back to the airbnb with me.
Its so interesting to see how different it seems to be in different countries. I table in a ocuntry in Europe and hope to expand to the ones close by soon! Love the people that are open about what they make as that can be great guidance and reference points, even if it sometimes can hurt.. Thank you for the great video!
Omg 24 hours I could never! Even as an attendee 😵💫 this was super fun though, thanks for the footage and walking us through everything.
I really like getting your perspective on artist alley stuff but its more fun when you get the vlog buts built in as well
Thanks for watching!
Magic does small tournaments usually you have to be a magic creater to go to them though. But i could see using some of your art for tokens and stuff might be worth looking into. maybe not.
I dont even go to Cons and i watch these videos.
Thanks for watching!
Really enjoy your videos, they are informative but not boring.
spencer is such a rad dude.
I like him
The thought of a 24 hour convention scares me 😂
it is deficiently draining ☠
This looks so fun. So sad I missed it
Be there or be square 🦑
Trains for president 2024
Trains have my vote!
Hmmm, I might be able to do that one. I have relatives in the Baltimore area. 7 hours away from Ohio. 4 days though would exhaust the shit out of me. Weirdest and best show I did was Comfest here in town. Catch is you have to be local. Booth prices were stupid cheap and like clockwork, I made the same $$$ every year at it. Crowd is 250k. They are drunk and or high... all weekend. Ready to make bad decisions and buy a print they don't need. A fair chunk of thg these people are also wearing little to no clothing. Big downsides are it is outdoors in peak summer.
oh geez 😬
I will never understand how at cons artists (who are already paying a lot to get a stand) never get a free food/services pass. Like I get normal people have to pay, but the people working??? C'mon
Honestly I wouldn’t want to eat convention food all weekend, but that would be nice!
Tbh I did 11am-10pm and ran out of stuff! I didn’t attempt to do night shift but I was at my table that solid 11 hours every day
Congrats on selling out of stuff! 11hr is still rough af
Telling my children this is Ricky Montgomery
10/10 would bang
It’s giving back rooms 😭😭😭 10:05
Do you know around how many vendors there are there? I feel like the amount of vendors can greatly effect how your sales go
Maybe 120 it’s on the smaller end for a show that size
Any chance you will be up at ECCC this year?
Not this year sadly.
Ok but why is Venti the bard on the thumbnail?
😮💛
Hope you come to Kawaii Kon Hawaii someday!
I’ve always wanted to go, it’s just always the same weekend as some other big shows! Hopefully next year it will time out
@@Inkwell Aw I also hope it times out well! A lot of artists who fly in for the kon just take a vacation afterwards as well~*☆ 😆 Visit some beaches and eat good food 🍣🍹
So where is this show?
National harbor right outside of Washington DC
u were at the gaylord...cpac must have been right after magfest
Yes with Katsucon in between, interesting line up for sure