What To Do When Nobody's Biting at an Event
In May (2026), I had an every-Thursday-in-May activation with Espolòn Tequila.
That's kind of every service provider's dream… a regular stint, amiright?!
You become familiar with the format, the venue, the staff, the clientele, and the flow of the event. By week two, you're no longer figuring things out on the fly. You know where you're setting up, who's involved, and what to expect.
Now, the original plan for this particular activation was a rooftop venue. Cocktails, fairy lights, great outdoor energy. The kind of setup where people naturally wander over to see what you're doing.
Then it rained.
Every. Single. Week.
Sydney really said, "not today” (for the entire month).
So instead of a buzzing rooftop, foot traffic was slow. For a live illustrator, that's a strange position to be in, because usually everyone's biting and super keen! The illustrations do the work. And a lot of the time, there’s a literal queue.
Not this time.
So what do you do when the crowd isn't coming to you? You GO to the crowd.
I picked up my iPad, my sample illustration and introduced myself. “Hi, I'm Belinda and here on behalf of Espolon Tequila doing fun little portraits. show portrait. Would you like one?”
That was it. That was the whole pitch. And it was enough to keep me busy every single time.
It sounds straightforward, and it is, but I know for a lot of illustrators (especially those who are newer to the industry, or more introverted) the idea of approaching strangers at an event feels uncomfortable.
Here's my reframe: you're not interrupting anyone. You're offering them something fun and personal. A custom portrait on behalf of your client. For free. Nobody is upset about that!
Why this matters beyond just filling your time.
Remember, someone is always watching.
The venue staff. The event organiser. The brand rep. Maybe a guest who's planning their own event and tucking away ideas for later. The way you show up and present yourself when things aren't going perfectly says more about you as a professional, than how you perform when everything's easy.
Take initiative, show your personality, and make the most of the situation ;)
Ps. If you're navigating the realities of working as a live illustrator and would like personalised guidance, my 60 Minute Mentoring sessions are designed exactly for that. Whether you're just starting out, or want to work through something specific - we can cover a lot of ground in an hour.