I've been to a lot of conventions; first as a regular convention attendee, then as sherpa and booth guy for Michael Poe (Exploitation Now and Errant Story) so that he's free to go to panels and roam about the con. Now, I've started attending conventions occasionally on my own, specifically being there as Adam Smithee: Guy Who Has A Comic and Does Funny Panels.

Now... I, as a person (especially as a panelist) am at least marginally awesome. My panels are funny, often to the point of almost being a stand-up routine, and try and be at least moderately informative without being too preachy. In addition to webcomic-related stuff, I also do several things regarding giant robots (usually a hit at anime conventions) and am working on my own live MST3K-style "riffing of a movie" thing.

Here's the thing though - my comics sorta suck. I mean, it's funny (I hope), but the art's not fantastic (though I will admit I've gotten better over the years, it's only going to get so good due to the vision and hand control issues I have) and I've got a luke-warm readership that consists mostly of other people who also have webcomics.

The sad truth is that all the conventions I've done so far have been based almost entirely on nepotism or favoritism of the convention staff, and have had little to do with any actual sort of 'demand' for me to be there by actual con-goers. While this is ok to get me started, I don't see it as being a sustainable model, especially if I'd like to occasionally move up from mere panelist to actual 'guest' status. Also, it'd be nice for people (other than a select member or two in the staff) to actually want me at a convention.

So here's my dilemma - how does one pitch themselves, not just as a creator of a couple of sub-par webcomics, but also as a badass funny panelist and a good person to invite to conventions (and hopefully comp some of my expenses, like gas and hotel)? Has anybody had any luck in this field?

I've been thinking about putting together some sort of 'Panelist Resume', but I don't have any clue where to actually start on this sort of thing, or how to get people interested in me. And what sort of protocol is there on being a panelist/guest - do you contact conventions you're interested in and let them know you'd like to attend in some function, or is that considered too forward and taboo?

I don't have any experience in what you're asking, but I think some general advice might do you well.


Right now the only image you have of yourself available is a webcomic which you say wouldn't convince people. It would be sensible to collect evidence of your ability to do something that the organizers would find valuable. (And make it available online in case anyone comes looking.) Things like

1- Videos of your panels, so they can see for themselves what exactly you're offering and what kind of response you get from the audience. This would be the content incentive. If you haven't got video you might think about developing some kind of outline and pitch that would talk about the aims of the panel, what people would learn/gain from it, techniques that you use, etc- something more quantifiable than the opinion that you're funny.

2- Some sort of evidence that having you as a panelist or guest WILL bring in people that otherwise wouldn't come, or the financial incentive. This is more important for guests, since many guests end up receiving some level of sponsorship, even if it's just free entry. Big comicmakers use their name and readership, but you haven't got that. What you call nepotism and favortism may be that, but it might also just be that organizers are more willing to book those people they've had experience with than take a 'risk' on an unknown. Admit it, if you were friends with someone organizing a con, you'd be trying to convince them to book you rather than 'some guy you've never heard of.'

Unfortunately the second one is hard to do and a bit circular since it would rely a bit on getting gigs in the first place to build up some word of mouth- but the important thing is your being able to capitalize on that somehow. It's nice if someone likes something you did, but it's BETTER if that someone is willing and able to support you publicly in some way- facebook or twitter comments, public convention feedback, etc. Which is difficult to encourage naturally. You say there is 'demand' by con-goers for you to be there, but what form does that demand take? Is it something you can use? Hopefully this is where someone who knows more about that kind of thing than I do will come in and give you tips. :]


I get the impression that the smaller, more local conventions would be more open to you coming forward and pitching a panel or whatever to them, and I'd guess that larger ones would have a system for that. Otherwise how would they know who you are or what you could do? I don't know how you'd suggest yourself as a guest though- that seems like where the financial thing comes in and probably would be easier once you've got more of a name for yourself and some numbers. To me being a guest is more about your being in demand and why the con should do extra to get you.

Good points all.

1 - Ever since my big accidental panel at Toracon this spring (which, unfortunately, may have been the best panel of my life) I've been regretting not bringing some sort of recording device with me. I probably wouldn't want to put the entire panel out on the internet - I mean, why attend it when you could watch it on YouTube? But I could maybe do a montage, or a 5 minute segment as a teaser to try and get people interested.

2 - My 'main' comic, The Apple of Discord, gets fairly decent readership, although it's sporradic and highly dependent on people stumbling/digging/tweeting. I get a lot of repeat visitors, but not a lot of regular repeat visitors, which is what a lot of sites talk about when they're talking about readership. That's one of the reasons I actually came here to DrunkDuck with the new comic - to try and re-establish myself as a person capable of supporting a stable long-term group of readers. Community-building, yo.

I think my issue may actually be more of a psychological issue than a tactical one. In "real life", I'm normally a very meek, humble, quiet person (I'm also 6' 5" and capable of breaking small cars in half), which is in direct contrast to the personality I tend to exhibit through my comic. This has given me a massive inferiority complex, where bits of me are inferior (or at least feel inferior) to other bits of me.

When I'm at the con, on stage - when I'm being Adam Smithee: Internation Webcomic Man of Mystery, I have no problem doing all the things I think I should be capable of doing. But outside that frame - like, now, for instance - I'm filled with worry and doubt as to whether people actually like me or if I'm just an incredibly lucky opportunistic guy. I think that's part of the reason I'm trying to elevate the actual 'demand' for my services at the convention... the head programmer thinking I'm good may get me in the door at the convention, but an actual mandate from the masses would be totally awesome for my self-depreciating ego.



What I'd really like to see would be some sort of... I dunno... almost dating-site style service that lets conventions post panel openings and panelists post their stuff and "hook up". Because there are a lot of small conventions in the area, but I don't think they know I exist - or that I'm gettable for almost no effort or money on their part - and I'm too shy to openly approach them.