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Making a thread here all about guesting at conventions based on my experience.
Hopefully, this will help you if you're interested in guesting, going to try and cover as much as I can from contracts, appearance fees, etc. Know your worth and put yourself out there!
Hopefully, this will help you if you're interested in guesting, going to try and cover as much as I can from contracts, appearance fees, etc. Know your worth and put yourself out there!
First off I do advise you have your own website/portfolio if you intend on sending off applications on guesting.
http://www.nipahdubs.net/ Here is mine, it includes my work and past guesting experience along with a quick bio about myself. It's not 100% needed but advised.
http://www.nipahdubs.net/ Here is mine, it includes my work and past guesting experience along with a quick bio about myself. It's not 100% needed but advised.
A lot of newer cosplayers I know charge $300 for three day events, essentially $100 a day. Your price is something YOU have to figure out for yourself though, I can't tell you what you should be charging. But I do advise that you do ask for an appearance fee, you are WORKING.
Once you get the contract make sure everything you requested is in that contract, if its not then ask them to redo it, if both parties have agreed on the terms then those things should be in the contract.
Read the contract thoroughly, do not skim it, please.
Read the contract thoroughly, do not skim it, please.
A lot of cons gladly accept just your social media links and some wish to see them to gauge your follower counts, it sucks but its a thing that matters to some cons.
I personally prefer to show my website first, so they can judge me based on that rather than some numbers.
I personally prefer to show my website first, so they can judge me based on that rather than some numbers.
Lets talk about negotiations, before a contract is even made you should be listing out what you require from the convention, especially if they're the ones who reached out to you. The cons staff will also let you know what they require from you for this job, yes, this is a job.
Standard things I ask for when guesting
- Flight, Hotel, travel from airport and badge covered by the con (Unless its local, then I ask they cover gas to the con and back instead of a flight)
- Per Diem (Basically your food allowance)
- Flight, Hotel, travel from airport and badge covered by the con (Unless its local, then I ask they cover gas to the con and back instead of a flight)
- Per Diem (Basically your food allowance)
Following up on Per Diem, you may not require one if they have a green room. If a con has one then I won't ask for Per Diem, but this is up to you cause you may have specific food allergies. Also, please let the con know if you happen to have those.
Do you intend on selling prints/merch? Then request a booth/table as well. I always request one cause it means I have a stationary spot I can meet whoever wishes to see me at the con, I pretty much live at my booth when I am not doing panels/other events for the convention.
You may not think of it but the way you portray yourself on social media can reflect the con that is hosting you, don't be dumb and just act professionally. The con can and will suspend their agreement to host you at any time if you make the con look bad cause of your actions.
If you are doing a lot of panels/selling merch at your booth then you will need the extra luggage to transport all of that. Ask if the con can fly you ou via Southwest (since they give you two free checked bags) if you don't have Southwest then request the amount of bags you need
