Ray Iniquez of Ray's Mini-Video & Comics in Elmwood Park, Illinois did a lot of pre promotion and had a great success on Free Comic Book Day:
Free Comic Book Day 3 was a huge success. It does not always need to be tied to a huge comic book movie but it would not hurt. This year's gold sponsors were indeed a unique mix for all ages and pretty much all-age appropriate. I did as well as last year and a little better. I gave away quite a lot of comic books and had several huge sales. While my total expenditure did not come back, it helped plant seeds for expanded business.
It was a bit harder because the 4th of July both helped and hindered at the same time. I think for upcoming FCBDs, either around May 3rd-7th or around the July 4th holiday can work. I will personally be giving customers free comics well into autumn.
For Free Comic Book Day 3, I began sending out over 30 press releases on Memorial Day weekend via e-mail. For three weeks in June through July 4th weekend I also had special signage. I also passed out 2,500 flyers the week of June 24th, and another 2,500 the week of July 1st, and another 2,500 everywhere else I was able to. I expected it would be a long-term investment in my business, but it helped me short term a lot with what did come in on FCBD3. We had different cold sodas and chips for sale, including over 50 cans of Dr. Pepper for sale, all sporting Doc Ock or Spider-Man.
On the day, hundreds of people came in, got their free books and bought various collectibles. I sold bottles of the FCBD water to gauge if I should start selling bottled water in my store. Also, I gave out about 90 Spider-Man Cookies free in celebration of Spider-Man 2.
Due to a video industry meeting on June 30th, I had an in-store treat for all who came in on FCBD -- John Travolta's latest film was showing on our in store monitor. Yes, I was able to showcase the shortly coming to home video release of Marvel Comics' The Punisher! A very enthralling film every bit as well made as any comic movie out there.
We easily gave out hundreds of free comics, sold lots, and had a generally wondrous day. I was open from 10:30 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. All in all it was a great weekend and I will be giving out free comics for quite a while till I run out of them. And I hope all who participated in FCBD had a huge success also.
