How to Sell Zines | A Beginner's Guide to the Differences Between Events, Online Sales, and Consignment Sales
"I've finished my zine, but how do I sell it?"
If you've gone to the trouble of creating a zine, you'll want someone to read it.
But there are so many ways to sell—perhaps participating in events, selling online, or having your products stocked in stores—it can be hard to decide.
In conclusion, the main way to sell zines is"Setting up a booth at an event," "Selling online," "Asking a store to sell on consignment."These are the three.
You don't need to choose just one; it's best to combine them at your own pace.
This article introduces the characteristics of each selling method, how to get started, and recommended combinations for beginners.
What you will learn from this article
- Three main ways to sell zines and their characteristics
- Advantages and points to note for each
- Recommended sales combinations for beginners
- Things to decide before selling
- Methods for getting people to know about your work
There are three main ways to sell zines.
First, let's compare the three selling methods.
| How to sell | Suitable people | cost | time and effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| We will set up a booth at the event. | I want to talk to readers directly. | Booth fees, transportation costs, etc. | Participation and preparation are required on the day of the event. |
| Buy online | I want to reach people far away. | Sales commission, shipping fees, etc. | Each order needs to be shipped separately. |
| Consignment sales to a store | I can't stand on the sales floor myself. | A portion of the sales goes to the store. | Negotiation, delivery, and settlement process |
*Costs and conditions vary depending on the event, service, and store.
Selling method 1: Set up a booth at an event.
This method involves setting up a booth at events such as ZINE festivals, ZINE markets, and literary sales events to sell your products.
merit
- I can talk directly with readers and hand them my work in person.
- I can see the reaction on the spot, which gives me hints for my next work.
- You can meet other creators.
Points to note
- There are stall fees and transportation costs.
- You need to be present at the venue on the day of the event.
- Some events involve lotteries or selection processes.
Recommended for people like this
This method is especially recommended for those selling zines for the first time. The joy of having someone pick up your zine and the direct feedback from readers are experiences that can only be had at an event.
This article explains the different types of ZINE events and how to find them.
Selling method 2: Sell online
This method involves opening an online shop and shipping orders yourself once they are placed.
There are services like BOOTH and BASE that allow individuals to easily open their own online shops.
merit
- It can be delivered to people all over the country, regardless of where they live.
- You can sell it whenever you like.
- Those who learned about it at the event can purchase it later.
Points to note
- Sales fees and shipping charges apply.
- Each order requires packing and shipping.
- Unless you make an effort to let people know about your work, it will be difficult for them to find it.
Shipping Information
For thin booklets like zines, services like ClickPost and Yu-Packet, which allow packages up to 3cm thick, are commonly used.
To protect it from rain and bending, it's best to wrap it in a clear bag or cardboard before putting it in an envelope.
Some services offer "anonymous shipping," which allows you to send items without disclosing your address or name to the recipient.
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This is ideal for those who want to reach readers who live far away, or for those who are unable to easily participate in events.
Selling method 3: Ask a store to sell your items on consignment.
This method involves having bookstores and general stores stock your zine and receiving payment for the sales.
Some independent bookstores also carry zines created by individual authors.
The consignment sales system
In consignment sales, you entrust your artwork to a store and receive payment based on the number of copies sold.
A certain percentage of the sales goes to the store, and the remainder goes to the creator. The percentages, settlement timing, and how unsold items are handled vary from store to store.
The process of making a request
- Find stores that carry zines (visit them in person to check if the atmosphere suits your work).
- Check the store's website or social media for information on how to submit items for consignment.
- Contact them according to the application procedure (provide details such as the content of the work, price, and number of copies).
- Once the handling is decided, we will confirm the terms (share, period, settlement method, return policy) and then deliver the goods.
Some shops may not accept consignments, or they may have specific procedures for accepting submissions. Instead of just showing up with your work, be sure to check their guidelines first.
merit
- I can sell products even if I'm not at the sales counter.
- You can meet new readers, such as customers of your shop.
- The fact that "it's available at that store" contributes to the credibility of the work.
Points to note
- A portion of the sales goes to the store.
- Whether or not they will carry it is up to the store's discretion.
- Inventory and settlement management is required.
Recommended for people like this
This is suitable for people who are continuously creating artwork or who have a shop that matches the worldview of their artwork.
If it's your first time, this combination is recommended.
If you're unsure where to start, I recommend trying the following:
| At times like this | Recommended combinations |
|---|---|
| I want to try selling this for the first time. | Participate in an event once + promote on social media and Ziiine. |
| I want to reach people far away. | Events + Online Shopping |
| I continue to create works. | Events + Online Sales + Consignment Sales |
You don't need to try every sales method from the start.
First, try participating in an event where people can pick up your work and experience it firsthand. Often, the connections you make with people and shops at such events will lead to new ways of selling your products.
Things to decide before selling
Number of copies
If it's your first time,A little more than the number of copies that are likely to sell out.That's about what I recommend.
It's much easier on your mind to avoid holding too much inventory and to print more only when you run out.
price
Let's decide on the price based on printing costs and other expenses, as well as the prices of other zines.
If the price is set so that the costs cannot be recouped, it becomes difficult to continue creating subsequent works.
Contact information and sales information
It's also important to make sure that people who discover your work at the event can find it later.
Prepare business cards, shop cards, social media accounts, and your online shop's URL.
Display when selling online
When selling online, you may be required to include a "Disclosure Based on the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions."
Please check the information provided for the service you will be using.
How to make people aware of your work
Regardless of the sales method, the most important thing is to "get people to know about your work."
Share on social media
Sharing information about the production process, photos of finished works, and details about events where you'll be exhibiting will help attract more people interested in your work.
Publish your work in Ziiine
Ziiine allows you to publish your zines for free (up to 30 copies).
The product page can include information such as the format, number of pages, price, and a description of the work, as well as contact information and links to where it can be purchased.
Please use this space to allow people who met at the event to look back at your work later, or to help people looking for zines find yours.
From the Ziiine editorial team
There is no single right way to sell a zine.
Some people aim to sell a lot of copies, while others want to deliver a small number of copies to people who truly want to read them.
The important thing is to choose a method that you can continue without putting too much strain on yourself.
If you grasp the knack of selling with your first book, you'll be able to deliver your work more easily from your second book onwards.
Looking at the works featured on Ziiine, you can also learn from the ingenuity of other creators regarding pricing, format, and sales information.
View the ZINEs featured here
FAQ
Do I need any qualifications or permits to sell a zine?
Individuals do not need any special qualifications to sell zines. However, if you sell online, you may be required to disclose information in accordance with the Specified Commercial Transactions Act. Also, if your sales increase, you should check whether you will need to file a tax return.
Is an ISBN required?
When selling zines at events, through online sales, or on consignment, you can sell them even without an ISBN.
How many copies should I print?
If this is your first time, starting with around 10-30 copies will prevent you from ending up with too much inventory. Consider the scale of your event and your own ability to reach a wider audience.
What should I do if the items don't sell?
You can continue to sell them at future events and through online sales. Unlike magazines, zines don't become unsaleable after a certain period, so you can reach people over a long period of time.
summary
There are three main ways to sell zines:
- We will set up a booth at the event.: You can talk directly with readers. Especially recommended for first-timers.
- Buy online: Delivered to people all over the country
- I'll ask the store to sell my items on my behalf.: You can sell even if you're not at the sales counter yourself.
You don't need to decide on just one.
Let's start by getting people to know about our work through events, social media, and Ziiine, and then gradually expand our sales methods.
If you'd like to learn how to create a zine from scratch, please check out this article.
Your completed zine can be published on Ziiine for free.
Register for free here