Have you ever been a vendor at a bjd convention? Share your experiences!

I have not vended myself but I've been the unofficial assistant to many many friends who vend all sorts of cons. If you're doing a large scale and/or multi-day con this person is indispensable. Ideally they're not just someone who can watch the booth but are competent enough to be given a general rundown to the point they can answer basic questions and process sales.

If it's extremely busy I've been able to process sales for people who came knowing what they wanted to buy while my artists friends could focus on answering questions and tending to people who stopped by who hadn't heard of their art/products before.

This is especially helpful for your first big con. It can be overwhelming and it's just as important to have support as it is to make sales. One lousy con experience puts a lot of people off. Being able to freely go to the bathroom, be brought food to eat, and stop and stretch your legs is very nice.

 

I think @Lyrajean sums it up extremely well! I have also sold once at a doll show (not BJD focused) and all the things she mentions are sure winners for successful sales!

My second note/add-on is don't be pushy! Be friendly, say hello or pay a nice compliment to the doll they may be toting around or their outfit, etc. It's a nice way to break the "ice" - because some people do have a bit of social anxiety approaching a sales booth to look around. Be nice, but don't be pushy~ You can say things like "take your time" or "I'll be here all day if you want to look at other booths" or "There's a lot of choices, take some time to think about it if you need to"... these are all really nice ways of saying, you don't need to buy anything from me right now, but you are totally welcome back to look again.

I hate pushy vendors! They make you feel so uncomfortable that you want to avoid their table again... and believe it or not, I've gone back to vendor tables of people who were super sweet and I just decide I'd rather support them and buy something off their table.

 

I was a vendor for Code Noir when I was dealing for them, but Lyrajean summed it up pretty well.

Be organized, be prepared ahead of time, feel free to bring your dolls with you (and ones you'd like to sell) and label them properly (don't touch, for sale). Hire someone or bring a friend who you trust has good people skills and some experience to help you. Not only will you need it, but you will also need someone to keep an eye on your stuff. Constantly check to make sure your table is organized throughout the day.

Going vertical is also very good advice. People need to glance over others to see what you have, and sometimes they might be too shy to ask someone to move so they can see. Not only that, but you can fill space with fun things, organize better and just make it look more attractive all around. Pretty booths get more interest.

Also backing up the don't be pushy thing. Price things clearly so people can make their own decisions without asking what the price is. Say hi, smile, tell them if they need anything to ask. But honestly, unless they ASK don't push little facts on them about the item they're looking at or anything. What Dybbuk said is how I am as well. I've not gone back to booths who were even slightly "pushy", but I have gone back simply to support the sweet or open ones. You're not the only person there trying to make money, so don't get greedy about it and just be open and help people find what THEY need. Even if it's not YOUR booth.

If you do bring dolls, it's really sweet to have most of them subtly looking up at the people passing by. Not neck craned creepy, but it's inviting and sweet. Some looking forward or down piques interest and having them doing something cute, dressed well and their wig brushed and styled properly shows you put care in your items. I think Volks is honestly a good place to look on how they position their display dolls. You can see on their IG a lot of examples

 

I second most of what has been said so far. I have one thing to add:

Be polite, professional and friendly to the people arranging and working at the event!
This is super important, because word gets around. If you are a pain to work with, people will know and you may find yourself without a table at the next event. If you are nice to work with, people may recommend you to other events or give you tips on other events you may want to attend. This is a small hobby, so it pays to make friends.
This extends to your table neighbours as well. Make small talk if there is down time. Always help people out if you are able to (you'd be surprised at how much good will you can gain by letting someone use your ducktape when they've run out) because next time it could be you needing help.

Specific to BJD conventions:
Mind your lables:
While most people in the hobby will be quite comfortable shopping by acronyms and company specific terms for sizing, there may be people new to the hobby as well as people from the genereally curious public and other doll hobbies there too. It's perfectly fine to use terms like MnF, KID, Uncle, SD etc. to label your things, but consider adding a relevant measurement too. Doll height for clothes, foot length for shoes etc. This levels the playing field for everyone and you won't loose sales to people who like the things, but aren't sure about what they are looking at.

And for general doll conventions or or other general art shows or events:
Not everyone will know what a bjd is, but may still be interested in your items. Label with that in mind.
Most stuff made for BJD can be used for other dolls as well. Make sure that you are not alienating potential customers.
I make artist cast dolls as well as doll accessories and I have sold at a few different BJD convetions, miniature fairs and even a teddy bear fair. I have a small framed sign on my table telling about who I am and what I do, but I use a different wording and language depending on the event. For a BJD specific event, even here in sweden, I will typically write in english, because of the many international visitors and the general tone of the event. Everyone speaks english well enough and even lectures and workshops are usually in english. So I use an enlish sign focusing mostly on the fact that I am a doll artist, cast my own dolls etc.
On a more general event I will write in swedish, because some of the visitors are older and don't speak english as fluently as the younger genereation, and even if there are international guests there as well, most of the event will be in swedish. On those, I will focus more on what the dolls actually are, mention that they are hand cast in polyurethane and mostly made to order and sold blank, because those thing are not obvious to people outside the hobby. Again, helping people understand what they are looking at.

I think, what I have learned more than anything else, is that the BJD hobby is very sheltered from the doll world as a whole and we are missing out because of it.
A lot of people who are into BJD are into other dolls as well, but there are so many people in the more general doll hobbies that have barely even heard about a BJD, as we know them. They may have heard the term is used in antique doll auctions to simply decribe a ball jointed body, and so it can cause confustíon to the general doll enthusiast if the term is used without context.

 

Everything mentioned is really excellent advice!

Not to bring negativity because I haven't heard of this happening at any doll cons BUT, especially if you're going to table at a large convention, be mindful of your stuff. Avoid bringing personal things that are irreplaceable. I've had friends who've had things stolen (display only merch, personal items) in the chaos of vending even with them AND me there.

I'd like to think the BJD hobbiests are above that but it's better safe than sorry.

Another thing I've noticed as an observer and buyer is people seem to really appreciate if you post a merch "menu" to your socials ahead of the con. Being able to see in advance what and how much things are helps people plan their shopping. I noticed younger people with stricter budgets to stick to especially enjoyed that.

 

I was a vendor once at a convention in my country, I got my husband to go with me and I was sharing a table with another vendor. I was seriously unprepared for it, so I can share a bit here:

Are there things you wish you had known to bring with you?

• Business cards. Many people couldn't buy in that moment but were interested in keeping track of my stuff later. The funny thing is I had made business cards, but forgot them at home, so don't do the same as me xD
• A printed catalog. This can be useful or not depending on what kind of items you're selling. In my case, as I only had OOAK items, and I could only have some of them on display, the catalog came handy when showing what other items I had and what had been sold (both for the customer and me).

Tips about how to set up a table to make a nice display?
It's important to know what space do you have and how to distribute it. Also, having something eye-catching like a banner with your logo or something like that could attract visitors. Depending on what items you're selling, having a vertical display besides displaying items over a table, could help you show more of your work in a limited space.

Things to keep in mind while packing when you are traveling with your wares (in my case I would be flying)?
I was able to go to the convention by train, but general guidelines are: be very tidy (always know where everything is) and have each item packaged properly (in case of damage, smells, etc.).

 

Hello! I’ve been gone for a while, but I’ve sold clothing (and repaints, different world) at at least a couple dozen conventions and shows, as well as for years online. Everything above is fantastic advice. My business was ALWAYS helped by attending the shows where doll worlds collided. I got commissions for antiques from porcelain doll collectors browsing the BJD section, and fashion dolls are what led me here in the first place. So expand your knowledge. Then find the thing you’re very good at and go for it.

One thing I haven’t seen yet is The Great Depression, when you’re having a dry spell. No one is buying. No one is stopping. You feel invisible and like a failure and your instinct might be to slash all your prices and waylay casual browsers. Or hide under your table and wonder why you’re here. DO NOT DO THIS. Glue that pleasant expression to your face, hang in there, answer questions, keep handing out promo. You never know who you’ll meet. Some shows are just… slow.

And be the best possible version of yourself with other vendors. It’s a small world. Some people will be catty, passive-aggressive, outright aggressive, or gossipy. Stay above all that. You’re in a big room with people who love what you do - there’s ALWAYS a way to turn the conversation.

I hope you give it a try! I’m thinking about dipping a toe again. DM me if you ever want to talk about it.

ETA: Lilith addressed a lot of what I just did, so consider this an affirmation of her post.