Don't know how aware you are of Bleeding Cool - but Rich Johnston, the main person behind the site was running around doing little video spots of the Small Press group - in the 4th 3rd video, CCAS is shown for about 20 seconds. He wasn't able to talk to the fellow behind the table, because: The CCAS Table had too many people talking and buying books - meanwhile - every other table beside them or down that row had nobody there (even though they too had fantastic looking stuff!) Good job guys!
So the video is on the following page here - the 4th one down. :)
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/07/24/san-diego-comic-con-2010-small-press-in-video-six-of-them/
UPDATE: I just noticed that Rich - the fellow who was doing the video's was there before the rush - therefore my statement that you guys were the only ones with peeps at your booth may have been unfair.
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However - IF you have product, and you a) believe in that product, and b) have a lot of it sitting around, I think it would behoove you to try and get it out to as many eyeballs as possible. At that point - even though you yourself are the one promoting it - it's not so much about you, as it is about making the product known.
As I mentioned above, an author of a children's book I did was having issues with promoting it - but she realized, unless she gets out there and drums up sales any way possible, (press, t.v., book signing, book fairs) a) she's stuck with 2000 books and b) and nobody knows her book exists.
When Mr. Johnston went running around from booth to booth, I didn't see it as fame brewing, so much as insightful - I wanted to know a) What was being put out, and b) Who was putting it out, and c) did that person actually believe in their stuff. Think of it more as an informational/educational promo of your stuff.
And yes, I hate video of myself too.
for most of my life, i've been all about trying to be as famous as possible- but now I'm trying to shy away from that. i'd like my books to get press, don't get me wrong, but the last thing i need is video of me personally all over the internet- in a world where privacy has little value, i'm trying to hold on to some!
Here's an example...at Creation NW this week, a couple comes up to my table who looked like a pair of homeless people, (dirty torn clothing, unwashed appearance). My first thought was to just politly smile and say hi...because I was judging them on first impression as not being people who could afford to buy any books. But fortunately, I followed my own advice and greeted them enthusiastically and gave them the same story pitch I gave everyone else about Eye Witness. The result? They not only bought a set for their nephew, but contacted me after the event to order 10 more sets for the prison ministry their church is a part of!
Now I don't know the "Bleeding Cool" guys from Adam, but what potential buyer won't hear about these people's books now, because they weren't prepared to talk about them when he came by their booths?
The fellow who didn't want to talk probably has a thing against "gossip columns". It sounded like there was something personal in the tone. The fellow who runs Bleeding Cool, (and the guy behind the camera) Rich Johnston isn't always the most liked.
That said, I would've loved to have heard about what he was selling. Some others seemed to be a little shy about it - or seemed to be people who weren't sure what the product they were selling was (hey mom! Can you help?) - so they declined to comment. Keep in mind - KNOW YOUR PRODUCT. Sell to everyone.
I got a kick out of some of the people who didn't want to talk to this dude. as someone who's been there numerous times before as an exhibitor, why would you not want to speak to anyone about your books who might provide you with free publicity? rookie mistake!
bob-
www.headpress.info