How to Get Started with Professional Networking

Many GameSkinny contributors are interested in getting a job in game journalism, or using their portfolio of articles on GameSkinny to get a job in another industry.

But how do you get started building a professional network that will alert you to job openings, provide references and share opportunities… When you don’t know anyone yet?

Hi! I’m curious about how to get started with professional networking. I’m kind of awkward, but I’m really interested in getting to know others in the industry, either as a game journalist or game writer/other, and building relationships. 

That’s pretty broad, but any info helps!

–MirandaCB

 

Hi Miranda! That’s a good question; everyone is always talking about how important networking is, but few tackle the more challenging topic of how tough it can seem to start doing it. 

Get Involved

Start finding ways to get into whatever network you are after. For people who want to become games journalists, GameSkinny is a great way to start building a portfolio, measuring your traffic, and building an audience. Featured GameSkinny contributors can take it to the next level with press passes to events, interviews with developers, and product reviews.

Finding ways to enter into a professional community is key; don’t be too worried about how you’ll get where you’re going, just start walking!

Practice Makes Perfect

Start out small.  If I had never done an interview and wanted to land an interview with someone at Blizzard, I wouldn’t just send over an email and hope for the best.

• I’d interview my best friend about their favorite game.
• Then interview an acquaintance about their latest gaming experience.
• Then reach out to an indie studio about covering their latest release.

Each you interview you get valuable experience with the approach (how you ask for an interview has a huge impact on whether you get it), creating questions, conducting an interview, and publishing the coverage. That means that when you build up to your main goal, you already have plenty of experience – and have made your mistakes on more forgiving interviewees. 

This doesn’t just apply to interviews, whatever your goal is there’s a stair-step approach you can use to reach it. Don’t dive in headfirst, get some practice in the shallow end first.

Seek Out Mentors

Find people you admire in the industry of your choice and start asking them for feedback and advice. I wanted to learn to make goat cheese. I first searched for classes in my area, with no success. So I headed to the local farmers market, tasted and purchased cheese from several vendors, headed back the next week and asked for a card from the one I liked best, and asked if they had apprenticeships. Building relationship can be intimidating at first, but people respect someone who is eager and willing to learn. Give it a shot!

Ask

Don’t be afraid to look like a rookie, people respect someone who’s trying to learn.   Don’t let lack of knowledge stand in the way of growing your skills. 

Great question! Have another? Ask the Editors.