Do you guys not normally do this at the store? https://twitter.com/mcnostrilcom/status/1197286050114293761

For sure it can be uncomfortable to watch customers browse your merchandise, but after all, this is how shopping is done.

A high-profile comics twitter person RTed the comic approvingly and now the comments are full of people sharing their techniques for shaming window-shoppers

You deserve pay for your work but demanding that no one should browse unless they buy is money-grubbing and drives customers away from the medium tbh

As long as nobody is stealing or destroying the merchandise, leave the people at your table alone

I'm not sure I'd consider myself an expert at tabling, but I've been doing it about ten years, and I'm in the minority of artists you'll meet in that I consistently make enough to cover table fees, travel/lodging/food, my merch, and my time at a profit, so I know a thing or two.

I only say two things to customers. If they walk by slowly and seem curious, I say "would you like a postcard?" while handing them a postcard. If they actually pause and start touching things I say "would you like me to tell you about the books, or are you good just browsing?"

Both of these are casual openers but they are workshopped. Briefly, I want to let the customer know I'm available to talk to them, but at the same time make it easy for them to decline. Lots of people take the card, nod, and keep walking. Lots of people say "I'm good, thanks."

Other than my two openers I try to look busy at the table doing something other than gawking at customers, because I myself hate to be gawked at. I draw, chat with a tablemate, organize my stuff, etc. I keep an eye on the customer and check in if they seem ready to buy something.

My books aren't long—you certainly could read the whole thing in fifteen minutes standing at the table if you wanted to. The experience of reading the book one time isn't worth the $15 cover price. By all means read it now to decide whether you'll read it enough to justify buying

As a tabler, ask yourself, "How does the person reading my book at my table diminish me?" So what if they don't buy? They're engrossed in your work. Maybe they'll buy later. Maybe they'll tell a friend. If nothing else, their presence makes your table look more lively.

This brings me to another facet of customer interaction: breaking the seal. People are more likely to interact with me if I reach out first. Customers are more likely to approach my table if other customers are already looking. In this sense window shoppers are doing me a favor.

I'm a grabby customer myself. Touching an object helps me decide whether I want to own it. I like brick and mortar stores better than online. I like buying handmade things from the people who made them. I try to approach my customers from a position of empathy and fellowship.

My philosophy as a salesperson is that I'm there to introduce people to my work, and if it's meaningful to them they'll buy it. I have control over the first part but not the second.