Just a reminder that Free Comic Book Day is only a couple of weeks away, and I’m receiving my stacks of giveaways with my new comic shipments every week. What’s weird is that I hadn’t really thought about the approaching date until I started receiving those FCBD books a couple of weeks ago.
In the past, we usually started getting the promo stuff, like the posters and the shelftalkers and the window decals a little more ahead of time to start getting the word out. But, in the process of just, you know, running the store and doin’ things, I somehow never noticed that no such promotional materials had been offered this year.
I placed a call to Lunar Distribution, who’s handling the FCBD stuff in the U.S., and found out they hadn’t offered any such extra items for retailers. None of the buttons, shirts, posters, and so on, like Diamond would offer. I’ve speculated that perhaps the changing of ownership was finalized too late for such items to be put together for distribution this year…or maybe they just forgot about it, like I almost did.
Hopefully next year they’ll get their act together, but this year I had to print up my own posters and shelftalkers, and little flyers I’m giving out at the register. And, somehow, I still had a case of FBCD merchandise bags sittin’ around, so I’ve been using those. And a good sign: even when I ask the customers new to the store “so, do you know about Free Comic Book Day?” the answer is usually “yes, can’t wait!” Has FCBD become just common knowledge amongst the regular population?
So here’s hoping this year’s event continues the wild success of my previous years. And comics writer Amy Chase is coming back to sign more books and chat with customers, which went extremely well during her last appearance at FCBD. Alas, pal Dorian won’t be able to help out this year like he has before, but an old customer of mine, Deon, will be filling in! We should be on track for another good year, with any luck.
Just a brief blog note: I haven’t forgotten about the “My Fantastic Four-ay” series, I just took a break this week and I’ll be back to it next week. Those are a lot of work!
i read an article on bleeding cool recently where a retailer was complaining that fcbd did not achieve the goals he was hoping for and never really did. the comments were full of others agreeing with him. it’s too bad not everyone has the wonderful experience you do.
I say it every year, Mike. I am so so so old.
I think the success of a FCBD event relies a lot on the attitude of the individual store. In my area, some stores create a fun, celebratory atmosphere. Other stores are more strict and bossy.
It’s never a good feeling to walk into a store and have “Five only!” shouted at you over and over. Or “Nothing else is free!” I don’t want to hang out in a store like that, which means I’m probably not going to buy anything else, even if you have a sale going on.
In any case, it sounds like Mike has the magic formula down pat — he’s obviously customer focused — so that’s probably why it works for him.