From May 5th to 6th, I attended RPC2012 in Cologne, Germany. It was a fantastic experience. I met many new people and had the chance to catch up with old friends. I sold a few prints, posters, and sketches, and I made valuable new connections. Technically, the earnings didn’t cover my trip expenses, but for me, the real value was combining this business trip with a vacation. I didn’t expect to make a lot of money from this event – who does on vacation? The most important aspect was the opportunity for networking and communication. Conversations with fellow artists and buyers, observing other artists’ work, and the overall experience were invaluable. I’m truly glad I participated, and I look forward to attending more events in the future.
Here are my results and some tips for future events:
I printed several dozen different 8×5-inch cards, but only a few sold. People particularly liked this one.
Germans speak English very well, but offering sketches in German can be a nice touch (I created a few sketches in German).
Consider making a large banner.
Create something useful for selling, like a calendar.
Dedicate more time to spending with other artists.
Spend even more time with fellow artists!”
