Last month, we shared tips about how custom framers could “super”-size their customer base by tapping into Comic-Con . The pop-culture extravaganza held each year in San Diego has since turned its final page for 2018, but that hardly means you can’t keep mining business opportunities from comic book convention fans. The audience of comic book convention fans extends well beyond the original Comic-Con, and their numbers only continue to grow. For example, The New York Comic-Con, drew 180,000 attendees last year – double its size since 2010 – and similar events are held all across the country.

 

 

To help you capitalize year-round on this potentially lucrative segment of con-goers, we thought we’d strike back with another set of relevant business tips.

 

 

Find Prospects in Fan Forums

 

Whether they actually went to Comic- Con or not, comic book and memorabilia collectors can frequently be found in comic book fan forums soliciting advice on how to best protect and display their collections.

 

 

As a custom framer, these online forums are a great place for you to establish a presence to reach new potential customers. Consider creating an account and either starting or contributing to a topic thread about custom framing for comic books and collectibles. Share advice and photos of relevant pieces that you’ve previously created to establish yourself as an expert among forum members and position your shop as the place in your area to have memorabilia expertly protected and displayed. Staying on top of things in forums can take some work, but it can also go a long way.

 

 

To get started, here are some popular comic book fan forums to explore:

 

CGC: http://www.cgccomics.com/

Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/[insert convention near you]

CBR: http://www.cbr.com/

 

 

Show Your Fans Your Artistic Superpowers

 

Whether on the fan forums, in your shop or on your website, it’s important that you promote your artistic eye and its benefits. After purchasing a collectible, many novice con-goers will simply head to the nearest art supply store, pick up a cheap frame, and call it a day without knowing how much more impactful their framed piece could be if they had worked with a custom framer.

 

 

Comic book fans are lovers of art. Showcasing what is possible with custom framing helps people understand the value you bring. Have sample pieces relevant to comic book fans on display in your shop window and on your website. You may even want to consider creating a dedicated landing page (and don’t forget the power of SEO to pull in fans).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Educate Fans about Protecting Collectibles

 

Beyond helping collectors with designing a unique display befitting their prized possession, as a custom framer you can also play a key role in helping customers understand the how to best protect their investment for years to come. It’s very common for con-goers to buy pieces of art, souvenirs or other pieces of memorabilia when they are attending these shows. While they may be well versed on the item purchased, most will have no idea about how to truly protect it.

 

 

As a custom framer, you can educate them about products and preservation techniques that will help protect their investment. Explain the importance of using proper archival materials, such as acid -free matboards and Tru Vue® Conservation Grade Glazing. Museum quality glazing products like Optium Museum Acrylic® or Museum Glass® are not only 99% UV protection but are also anti-reflective, so they not only help protect their investment, but they are nearly invisible allowing full enjoyment of the displayed collections.

 

 

Custom framing can be a very overwhelming experience. Your patience in walking collectors through their options, willingness to share your creative vision, and time spent educating them on the best conservation methods, will produce a display your customers will love and increase the likelihood of repeat business.