It dawned on me a week back that an examination of merch table etiquette was in order…but I bet there are OTHER topics we could be covering, too! Drop me your suggestions below!
Please make one for the fan etiquette at the merch table. For instance, maybe you're in line to meet and buy a tee shirt from a Megastar like Boomer Hatfield, but in that long slow cramped merch line you're stuck in front of... Mike Quackenbush. Silently standing there, making eye contact, but you only have enough for that Boomer shirt you've been saving your allowance for. A bead of sweat forms on Quack's brow...
What if a worker sells your merch while you are gone from there merch table. Do you give a portion to them or is it just part of the good buddy system? Asking for a friend?
@@leonardliteracy9742 Depends on the amount, really. If someone does terrific business that I would have missed out on, I share the wealth. If they hadn't made those sales - I'd end up with zero!
What makes an announcer/commentator good? And other things related to the subject, such as doing the homework on the athletes, what homework should you do? How much should you do? How to keep the audience/viewers engaged Etc
Some topics that would be great to see discussed in depth: -Creating merch -Paying to have merch made/designed -Creating/paying for gear designs/gear concepts/what gear is recommended when starting out -Local travel vs. long distance travel vs. international travel preparation (bags and what else you bring) -Resumes in wrestling -Any advice for seminars/tryouts -Working toward cameras/hard cams -Negotiation advice/marketing yourself -Social media marketing/social media behavior -When to begin traveling/gambling on yourself/international schools or dojos -Stretching -Promoting shows you're working on/what is expected/what is above expectations -Tips to getting yourself noticed Just some random subjects that often pop in my head from these videos!
I bring my own table and table cloth just in case all the other tables are taken or filled. Also having a nice looking tablecloth can hide the drab of ordinary looking table, making YOU stand out. A custom banner or cloth is a cool idea too. Also just as a good rule of thumb, try to always have someone at your table at all times. You need them to be there in case you're unable to work the table. And even when you are there, make sure to NEVER handle the money if you can help it. It makes you look like a bigger star if someone else is there handling your sales.
Thank you for the advice, Mr. Quackenbush! I also always have a small 4 ft fold-able table I purchased from a store just in case I show up and there are no more extra open tables!
Your latest video also inspired another topic that may be worth a video of its own: -Crossing borders into Canada or Mixo/expectations and advice for when wrestling internationally and out of the US.
My twitter notified me that two of my favorite local wrestler had followed your twitter, I went to check it out, and instantly got excited when I realized what this is. Not a wrestler yet, and I'll very likely never even be anything special in my own country, but I'm gonna binge the hell out of every single video here so I at least have some idea when I finally feel like I'm in good enough shape to try out for the dream job.
If you have the ability and budget consider getting custom made shopping bags for the buyer to store their purchases in as well as a card or flyer with a link to your online merch store and a coupon code to generate repeat business after the event.
As I got more into wrestling it blew my mind how much merch really matters for wrestlers. It could be what gives you the amount you feel offers a full time/comfortable living.
Merch table horror story - a pair of wrestlers brawled to the outside and to a DVD stand and totally trashed it, I mean they slammed each other in to the table, picked up stacks and smashed them into each others heads and this wasn't a set up or plant or anything, the guy running the stand was literally begging them to stop , then when they finally left and they managed to get it fixed up as best they could another wrestler took a balcony bump into it. So yeah, that sucked, plus side I got to do merch for Nigel McGuiness, which was nice.
Definitely helpful content. I'm running merch table tonight for a friends band and have never done so before. Now I feel as if I have a much better chance of not screwing something up. Sure it's not rocket science, but I really don't want a bunch of pissed off metal bands surrounding me 😅
One little thing that I have learned from my limited experience is that it is always important to bring your own Marker incase any of the customers would like your autograph. The worker next to you at the table durring intermission may not be keen to lend you their pen so it is best to bring your own and not assume the company will have one on hand or that the other wrestlers will be willing to loan you one. Very small thing that is easy to not consider when you are starting out. Bring your own autograph pen.
It dawned on me a week back that an examination of merch table etiquette was in order…but I bet there are OTHER topics we could be covering, too! Drop me your suggestions below!
Working with someone who speaks a different language.
Please make one for the fan etiquette at the merch table. For instance, maybe you're in line to meet and buy a tee shirt from a Megastar like Boomer Hatfield, but in that long slow cramped merch line you're stuck in front of... Mike Quackenbush. Silently standing there, making eye contact, but you only have enough for that Boomer shirt you've been saving your allowance for. A bead of sweat forms on Quack's brow...
What if a worker sells your merch while you are gone from there merch table. Do you give a portion to them or is it just part of the good buddy system? Asking for a friend?
@@leonardliteracy9742 Depends on the amount, really. If someone does terrific business that I would have missed out on, I share the wealth. If they hadn't made those sales - I'd end up with zero!
What makes an announcer/commentator good? And other things related to the subject, such as doing the homework on the athletes, what homework should you do? How much should you do? How to keep the audience/viewers engaged Etc
Some topics that would be great to see discussed in depth:
-Creating merch
-Paying to have merch made/designed
-Creating/paying for gear designs/gear concepts/what gear is recommended when starting out
-Local travel vs. long distance travel vs. international travel preparation (bags and what else you bring)
-Resumes in wrestling
-Any advice for seminars/tryouts
-Working toward cameras/hard cams
-Negotiation advice/marketing yourself
-Social media marketing/social media behavior
-When to begin traveling/gambling on yourself/international schools or dojos
-Stretching
-Promoting shows you're working on/what is expected/what is above expectations
-Tips to getting yourself noticed
Just some random subjects that often pop in my head from these videos!
I’ve seen other wrestlers bring their own foldable table to help the promoter and themselves. :)
I bring my own table and table cloth just in case all the other tables are taken or filled. Also having a nice looking tablecloth can hide the drab of ordinary looking table, making YOU stand out. A custom banner or cloth is a cool idea too.
Also just as a good rule of thumb, try to always have someone at your table at all times. You need them to be there in case you're unable to work the table. And even when you are there, make sure to NEVER handle the money if you can help it. It makes you look like a bigger star if someone else is there handling your sales.
Couldn't agree more, Ryan!
Thank you for the advice, Mr. Quackenbush! I also always have a small 4 ft fold-able table I purchased from a store just in case I show up and there are no more extra open tables!
I remember purchasing stuff at wXw show and it was great and efficient. All the guys were following these guidelines.
Your latest video also inspired another topic that may be worth a video of its own:
-Crossing borders into Canada or Mixo/expectations and advice for when wrestling internationally and out of the US.
My twitter notified me that two of my favorite local wrestler had followed your twitter, I went to check it out, and instantly got excited when I realized what this is.
Not a wrestler yet, and I'll very likely never even be anything special in my own country, but I'm gonna binge the hell out of every single video here so I at least have some idea when I finally feel like I'm in good enough shape to try out for the dream job.
If you have the ability and budget consider getting custom made shopping bags for the buyer to store their purchases in as well as a card or flyer with a link to your online merch store and a coupon code to generate repeat business after the event.
As I got more into wrestling it blew my mind how much merch really matters for wrestlers. It could be what gives you the amount you feel offers a full time/comfortable living.
Merch table horror story - a pair of wrestlers brawled to the outside and to a DVD stand and totally trashed it, I mean they slammed each other in to the table, picked up stacks and smashed them into each others heads and this wasn't a set up or plant or anything, the guy running the stand was literally begging them to stop , then when they finally left and they managed to get it fixed up as best they could another wrestler took a balcony bump into it. So yeah, that sucked, plus side I got to do merch for Nigel McGuiness, which was nice.
Woah! Hearing about that kinda boils my blood a bit. Good grief!
Definitely helpful content. I'm running merch table tonight for a friends band and have never done so before. Now I feel as if I have a much better chance of not screwing something up. Sure it's not rocket science, but I really don't want a bunch of pissed off metal bands surrounding me 😅
One little thing that I have learned from my limited experience is that it is always important to bring your own Marker incase any of the customers would like your autograph. The worker next to you at the table durring intermission may not be keen to lend you their pen so it is best to bring your own and not assume the company will have one on hand or that the other wrestlers will be willing to loan you one. Very small thing that is easy to not consider when you are starting out. Bring your own autograph pen.
I sell markets at shows. Everyone wants autographs but no one has markers. I make good money in markets lol
Great stuff! Specifically typed in this title this morning. Can you speak more about the ways merch is ordered to sell?
I bring my own folding table!