[Note: This pitch would be best if you pictured me in a cheap suit standing beneath a string of flag pennants while confetti is thrown at me…]
Do you own a comic shop, or set up a table at the local toy show every now and then — or maybe you run the toy show and sell items at the door? Would you be interested in selling copies of Cool & Collected Magazine? If so, I want to talk with YOU!
Okay, all kidding aside, I am exploring some creative ways to distribute copies of the magazine. The magazine has garnered great reviews in the collector community and currently, the only way to buy a copy is here on the site, so It’s time to look at other options. This entire operation has been a grassroots, boot-strapped endeavor, and there’s no reason to stop now. Sure, one day I want to see the magazine on every newsstand in the country, but I’d honestly be more thrilled to see it appear at local collector shows and flea markets on any given Sunday.
Think about it, you’re going to be at the show anyway, your table is already paid for, and a stack of magazines only takes up a small amount of space. Or maybe you own comic shop — these magazines are the perfect point-of-sale item to have sitting next to the register for those impulse buyers.
To be a distributor, the minimum purchase amount would be 25 copies, which you would be able to purchase at a steep discount. You could then sell those copies of the magazine at your shop or convention for the $7.99 cover price (or any price you choose, really). If this sounds like something you would like to pursue, drop me an email and I’ll send you the details.
Billy’s Toys in GA might be open to it: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Billys-Toys-and-Comics-LLC/223798710994234
Thanks Shawn!
I think this would do great at All About Books & Comics here in Phoenix
http://allaboutbooksandcomics.com
https://www.facebook.com/AllAboutComics
Thanks Ben!
You should contact Diamond Distributors and see what it would take to get them to put Cool & Collected in Previews so that EVERY comic shop can see/order the magazine.
I’ve been looking into various distribution routes and Diamond is probably the best fit.
I believe the internet’s own William B West worked for Diamond. He might be able to give you some inside info.
…Also, all the website “owners” who purchased ad space in your magazine could do what we did on The Toy Box, I.E. put a link to the magazine in our sidebar that says, “See our ad in Cool & Collected.”
http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/
Not sure if that has generated any revenue for you or not, but it’s at least a boost of free advertising for the magazine.
Thanks Matt! Every bit helps, and I really do appreciate the boost.
Since you’re relatively in the same area that I am, you could try Laughing Ogre Comics (formerly known as Phoenix Comics) in Lansdowne (between Ashburn and Leesburg) as well as the newly opened, The Comic Shop located in Fair Oaks Mall. They may be interested in stocking the magazine. Phoneix Comics also has a second location in Springfield, VA.
…I always have an afterthought for some reason. When contacting local comic shops, you should work in a deal where if they stock up to “X” amount of issues that you will include free advertising in the next magazine. That may be a good enough incentive to get local comic shops to bite.
Oh, I’m definitely open to offering incentives of some sort.
Great ideas, I’ll be hitting the streets and see what I can do locally. Thanks Matt!
I’ll inquire at a few places (comic shoppes, speciality magazine stores) here in Ottawa, Canada – international distribution!
Excellent! Thanks Todd!