Real quick, the most important stuff you need to know today from me today:
First, If you’re on my email list or getting this via email, you’re going to get 5 emails from me this week. Just a heads up.
Second, C# Implementation with Wwise and Unity is officially on sale and available until the end of March 22. I’m not capping the number of available spots this time, just closing availability at the end of the week. If you want to buy it on Saturday, I’m not reopening it.
Third, because it’s GDC week and every company in the universe puts stuff on sale GDC week, I decided to run the experiment myself. Therefore, everything (except the C# course) that costs money on my store is on sale this week until the end of March 22. Yes, everything (except the C# course). If you’ve ever been on the fence about my stuff – get off now. This is the 2nd discount sale I’ve run in 3 years, and the first time the entire store has been on sale. I don’t know if I’ll ever do it again.
Fourth, I’m not at GDC. If you are, have fun!
Now, because it’s GDC week and a good number of you are in San Francisco looking for work or your future opportunities – I thought it might be helpful to nudge you in the right direction on your quest for glory, riches, and audio work.
I wish you all the best success if you’re there – and if you’re not, you can still take this information and glean new ways do endear yourself to folks you want to work with rather than repelling them like you haven’t showered in a few weeks.
Vending Machines
I had an email conversation with a nice guy last week who finds himself in quite a conundrum.
However, it’s not an unusual conundrum – in fact if you’re still searching for that “breakthrough” gig, it’s probably a conundrum you’re in the middle of.
Said gentleman (who will otherwise remain nameless, because witness protection) is a composer and has done a little bit of small independent games work, but he wants to move into AAA. He’s, in fact, dying to get into AAA.
Not only that, but he’s been to GDC multiple times, GameSoundCon in Los Angeles, and numerous meetups. He’s clearly not just hanging out at home waiting for someone to pluck him out of obscurity.
Despite that, however – he’s still emailing me asking how to get gigs.
Friends – there’s no guarantee that if you go to conferences and meetups that you’ll land a gig quickly. However, if you’re good at your craft (he’s fine) and you haven’t gotten a gig after multiple years – your problem isn’t your musical or sound design abilities. It’s your approach to business, networking, or your “mindset”.
In this case, it’s mindset. I think plenty of you share this problem – so pay attention, okay? This is the important part of class. Here’s a great, helpful quote from the emails:
“When I have attended GDC, there is of course Audio Directors in attendance at this conference. Everybody & their dog wants to talk to them though!!
How is it possible to establish your own audience with them?”
Now, in context, he’s asking if Audio Directors are the right people to talk to about getting AAA composition work. I don’t know the answer to that question, but that doesn’t seem like a bad assumption to me.
What is bad, however, is his approach. Why?
Of course Audio Directors are impossible to get time with at conferences and meetups – because every time they come out, people are badgering them for jobs!
Friends – anyone who has the ability to hire you for a job is not a vending machine. They’re a human. They have a million other priorities that don’t have anything to do with employing you.
Don’t treat your potential clients like vending machines.
Here’s the good news from the email – I think our composer friend got that message, and the next one I’m about to share with you.
How to Stand Out
Okay, so we’ve established that the vast majority of those looking to land a gig and failing for an extended period do so in part due to their self-focus and self-absorption.
They ask themselves “What can I do to really impress these people?!”
Notice that said question is really asking “What can I do to get these people to look at me?!” Because, again, it’s all about self-focus.
Now, imagine 80% of people at any given meetup or conference doing that and looking for a job. You’d hate your life if you had a job to hand out, right?
So how do you stand out in that crowd?
Do the opposite.
Ask yourself “What can I do to really help these people?!”
If you’re at the conference, it can actually be a really easy thing to do. Remember, the first step in finding a gig is simply establishing a relationship – having someone be willing to talk to you and just say hi. Jobs often don’t come immediately – instead they often come out of the blue as a result of an established relationship.
So, connect good people who don’t know each other that should.
If someone’s looking for a skilled non-audio worker – connect them with the best people you know.
If someone’s looking for a bite to eat, looks like a lost puppy, or has no plans – invite them along with you and introduce them to your friends if you can.
Be willing to strike up conversations with people you don’t know, who don’t do what you do, and care about what they do.
All in all, be a cool, easy going, easy to work with, non-needy person. Someone will eventually complain to you, and instead of going “OH MY GOD I know I hate that all conference food costs $200” try and be the person that says “Me and a few others are splitting an Uber to go eat at a sweet Mexican place – they supposedly have great tacos. We’d love to have you!”
Great thing – you can do plenty of these things anywhere – not just at a conference.
Eventually, if you’re cool, helpful, and looking out for others – word will eventually get around, your reputation will build, and you’ll be at the right place at the right time.
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