I’m Chas Chasler, author and creator of Milo the Mime. Recently, I had the exciting opportunity to set up my first vendor table at the Pittsburgh Illustrators Expo (PIE), a comic book creator expo where young and talented people sell their independent work to the masses .
The Expo was a memorable day filled with engaging customers, showcasing my creativity, and learning some invaluable lessons about promoting my first children’s book, Milo the Mime. From preparation to execution, here’s what I took away from my first experience selling directly to potential readers.
Preparing for My First Expo
I was eager to make my debut as an exhibitor to promote my new children’s book. My plan was to capture the attention of attendees not only with my book but also with a selection of fun merchandise such as keychains, bookmarks, t-shirts, buttons, and stickers.
To stand out, I created an inviting table setup with a stylish banner and a looping video ad for Milo the Mime on my iPad. I knew selling at an expo required more than just products—I had to sell a story and the passion behind it. This mindset helped me connect with attendees.
Engaging with Customers
Interacting with customers was both the most exciting and nerve-wracking part of the day. For many attendees, browsing was just as important as buying, and that was perfectly fine. A significant number of people flipped through Milo the Mime and asked questions, which gave me the chance to talk about the book’s themes of self-acceptance, diversity, and humor.
The parents and kids who stopped by were particularly rewarding to engage with. Seeing kids light up as I read part of the book aloud or watching parents enjoy the clever illustrations made all the effort worthwhile. Of course, the final decision often rested with the kids!
While the day was a success, it wasn’t without its challenges. Convincing some people to make a purchase proved difficult. Some attendees loved the concept of the book but weren’t ready to commit, which is understandable.
Challenges & Lessons Learned
I learned that I could improve my small talk. Some exhibitors were chatting easily with customers, complimenting them and asking about their interests in a relaxed, friendly way. While I worried about making people uncomfortable, it became clear that casual conversations could enhance connections. Next time, I’ll focus on asking simple, non-intrusive questions like what brings them to the event or how they found out about Milo the Mime.
A personal challenge was my hesitancy to approach customers too eagerly. But the expo taught me an important lesson: it’s not about selling in the hard sense; it’s about building relationships. People are drawn to genuine conversations and stories. Next time, I’ll focus more on connecting over shared interests and less on directly soliciting purchases.
Navigating Payments
I anticipated that while some attendees might have cash, many would prefer card payments. To prepare, I purchased a reliable card reader and practiced using it before the event. Though there was a slight learning curve, I quickly got the hang of it.
I also ensured that I had apps like PayPal and Venmo set up just in case customers preferred using those payment methods. My takeaway? Always have multiple options for payment. It ensures you never lose a sale simply because someone lacks cash or prefers digital platforms.
What’s Next?
This was just the beginning. Going forward, I plan to attend more events like PIE and practice connecting with customers in a way that feels natural and welcoming. I’ll continue refining my setup and promotional materials to attract attention, and, most importantly, I’ll focus on building relationships with readers (and their parents).
One key takeaway is that understanding my audience is just as vital as having a polished product. With every conversation, I learned a little more about what excites potential readers and what they look for in a children’s book. This feedback will help me grow as an author and creator.
Join Milo on His Journey
If you’ve enjoyed learning about my first experience selling Milo the Mime, I’d love for you to join Milo’s adventures! Sign up for our mailing list on the front page to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, exclusive content, and exciting promotions. Our Kickstarter campaign is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you when Milo the Mime officially launches.
And to everyone who visited my table at the expo, thank you for making the day such a rewarding experience. I’m so thrilled to continue sharing Milo’s story with the world, one reader at a time.
Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, we don’t all have to be the same to fit in.
