Azrael's Merryland Blog - 2003-2023

Az @ DLSU LEAP

today i'l be giving a lecture about events and convention organizing to students of De La Salle University. the topic is about "Making Business through Comics", il be there as lecturer with my Artists' Den friends Lyndon Gregorio, Ariel Atienza, and Gary Mayoralgo.

here's a flash file that will be used in my morning and afternoon session.
you can download it here

and here's my lecture.
I composed this lecture notes last night
and thanks to my honey Lace for helping me formulating this for the lecture

Write ups I composed as what I experienced in events organizing

Comics Events and Conventions
by: Azrael Deasis Coladilla

Introduction
Events and Convention for comics are the amusement, entertainment and fairground for the comic fans, comic creators, and merchandisers. It's a big promotional gathering and it's a yearly and seasonal activity for the comic pop culture.


Functions of Events and Conventions

Promotion

The importance of having these events and conventions is for all comic fans, creators and publishers to gather in one place and promote each other's comic related products and services.

Interaction

The interaction between comic readers and creators is established.


Market Research

It's a big opportunity for the comic publishers to know more about their target market, environment, competitors and trends.

This will help them with product development. Their next product releases just like any product in the market will be designed based on the current market situation.

In short, events and conventions serve as a market place for comic artists, publishers and enthusiasts.

Elements of a successful comic event

1. The event should be fan friendly

2. It should promote interaction
a. Comic fan - comic creator
b. Fan to fan
c. Comic creator-creator relationship

3. Art appreciation

Organizing 101

1.organize a small-scale event
2.organize a big scale event

a. Make a plan for your event
b. Prepare list of programs
c. List of contacts
d. Guests
e. Activities
f. Venue
g. Budget
h. Sponsors
i. Making business
j. Public Relation
k. Promote the event

Plan the event
1.set a date
2.time and schedule
3.timetable of organizing


Programs: set of activities, itinerary for the event
-It should feed the interests of all the stakeholders:

1. The corporate persons
2. The target market (readers, fans)
3. The publishers
4. The advertisers/sponsors


Venue
1.accessible
2.affordable
3.fit for the target market

Budget
1.always try to plan a "no budget event"
2.divide the budget for venue, production, talent fee, and prizes

Getting sponsors
Sponsors reduce the cost of organizing an event. Sponsors are willing to give a certain amount of money or anything of value in exchange for their company's exposure, promotion and participation in the event.

-Submit a good proposal (mostly for budget)
-Should be SMART
S- simple, specific
M-measurable
A-attainable
R-reasonable
T-time bound

-Present a working idea
-Show your back track

Possible Activities
1.Comic book launchings
2.Comic creators panel discussions
3.autograph signings
4.Contests
5.Exhibits

Turning everything into a business
-Events organizing like any other forms of marketing activities are for profit.

1. Entrance fee
-Get profit from volume and not from high mark ups if possible
-Pricing depends on the lifestyle, age and income of the target audience

2. Sponsorships
3. Entry fees for other contest
4. Divestitute: sell your big idea to other events organizers or publishers if you feel you lack the time and resources to do the job.


Public Relation
In events organizing, you need to have good public relation skills, because it is easier to move in the event organizing field if you know the key players, and if you have connections, organizing will be an easier task

Promoting the event
the best way to promote and advertise your event is through word of mouth, it serves as a direct marketing tool and the credibility level is high

If you have a budget, you can use the "tri-media", TV, print and radio; however, there is another form of media that should be exploited, the Internet.

The Internet is a good medium to advertise products, services and in our case, events. It is the least costly advertising tool that we can utilize.

Whichever medium you choose, the layout and content must always be fit to the target audience's demographics and psychographics