02.15.08
LinkedIn, and why I suck at networking
Networking is important. In many industries, it’s true that it doesn’t matter what you know, but who you know. In entertainment industries, this tends to be even more true because there’s often an abundance of talented people available to hire, and the games industry certainly doesn’t appear to be an exception.
Some people just get networking. They can walk right up to a person they don’t know, shake his or her hand, exchange a few polite words and their business cards, and then move on to the next person, having just landed an important contact. Following up on such a meeting is even more intimidating, calling that person a few days later outside of the networking context of a convention or similar.
I can’t even write to people on LinkedIn. In fact it’s difficult for me to even write to the people I’ve met, if not know personally. And it bugs me, because it drastically reduces my chances of breaking into the industry. It doesn’t really matter if I understand game design, if I have a lot of great ideas, if I’m good at being a part of the team and learning to master new tools and processes quickly, if I can’t network right, I’m far less likely to get a job. A few days ago, I was trying to work up the nerve to contact Warren Spector with a request via LinkedIn. When the message was done and I had read through it three times to make sure it was perfect, I closed the window - I don’t know Warren Spector, why would he be anything but sceptical if I just contacted him out of the blue with a message of what a big fan I am and how I’ve spent the last 6 years modding one of his games? Today I repeated the trick with Harvey Smith - Harvey who I have actually corresponded with via mail a few years ago, when I was news editor at PDX. I couldn’t get myself to contact him.
My friend Rasmus has Chris Avellone in his contacts. Rasmus just wrote him, mentioned he studies games and has an academic interest in Avellone’s work, and that’s it - contact obtained. I can’t even get myself to contact Chris Avellone through Rasmus as a shared contact. And frankly, it bugs the hell out of me.
My last hope is TNM. When TNM is done, I will send it to Harvey and Warren, and then hopefully I can work up the nerve to contact them via LinkedIn.
EER said,
February 15, 2008 at 15:58
I finally found you by using ‘æ’ instead of ‘ae’. No wonder you have a hard time networking
But I know what you mean, I go through roughly the same process on MSN.
1) is this person interesting enough to say something to (mostly yes, else they wouldn’t be in my list, or shouldn’t)
2) do I have anything relevant to say (mostly no, but that doesn’t always stop me from saying something anyway, as you know)
3) how long has it been since I’ve last chatted with this contact (the longer this time, the higher the mental obstruction to say anything)
Usually I stop at 2, but sometimes at 3. I’d just think they’d think I was awkward by saying something after not saying anything for … 5 years? Of course, the amount of time increases daily, so I have a LOT of contacts I don’t dare to say anything to. I’m probably not in most of their lists anymore (do they even remember who I am?)
Gelo said,
February 15, 2008 at 16:09
Aw, come one Jonas. Grow a pair ;-).
Milton said,
February 15, 2008 at 17:06
Hey there Jonas, I don’t know you and neither do you know me but, this post encouraged me to write something.
I like to read your blog and Rasmus’. The reason I’m writing this is because even if my English is not as perfect as yours, even if i don’t know you, what could go wrong? Nothing! You can get a bad impression of me.. So what? Remember that we are strangers, I admire your thoughts but that’s it. First impressions aren’t always what count. You should do it. You should contact the people you want to meet. Remember that you are strangers, you admire them and even if they get a bad impression (not likely) they will probably just forget it right away so, no harm done to your future career
Go ahead! You have nothing to lose, just like me.
fox said,
February 15, 2008 at 17:42
Milton is correct but I guess you already knew it.
I am going through all that myself often enough. Sometimes I fail and sometimes I am stronger than my inner demons. It’s a practice thing for people that are not gifted with this easy going-attitude. From experience and observation I know that it is rewarding to counter this issue so I keep fighting it. What helps me the most is to imagine what I would think about it if a stranger would write it to me, scrap anything that sounds strange and send it. I believe that all persons I actually want to talk to will answer me appropriately. All others can go to hell anyway… right?!
Essentially it all boils down to “Stop being a fucking emo!”
Razumasu said,
February 15, 2008 at 17:57
LOL - you make me sound like I´m a networking expert, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Basically what I get by on is my skills at juggling words, knowing when to suck up, and knowing when to shut up.
Yes I have Chris as one of my LinkedIn contacts, but that doesn’t mean I have regular contact with him, it doesn’t mean he remembers me, or anything like that. The only thing it means is that I´ve introduced myself, and if I one day have something that is actually relevant for him, he MIGHT remember me as a “Haven´t I seen you before” – type of thing… but probably not.
I do have a few things I´d like to say though.
Ever wonder why movie stars seem to be so difficult to become friends with? Well basically it’s because they CONSTANTLY get told how great and fantastic they are. And even though that is of course a very nice thing to be told, and they usually act in kind to such flatter, it doesn’t mean they will remember you nor have any use for you.
I´ve found that it’s a bit the same with the famous game developers.
Before talking to them/contacting them, make sure you actually have something to say to them. Don’t do a “Hi – I like your former work… shall we be friends?” type of thing. Don’t write to them about some great game of theirs you played 6 years ago (and that probably goes for DX as well….even though it is a good game), since they will probably be far more interested in talking about what they are currently doing. Personally I don’t care much for the work I did 4 years ago, I’m a LOT more interested in what I am doing right now. If you decide to contact any of these people make sure you have something concrete to ask of them/tell them. Don’t carry on in loooong mails about different subjects, or write long comments to their last mail. No one will read a long mail from a “crazy” fan, but they will read a “Hi – I would very much like your input for my university assignment about X, would you be interested in allowing me to interview you at a later date?” – by replying to this mail they don’t have to spend a lot of time, and in truth they haven´t committed to anything…but the contact is made.
Personally I´ve found that the best way to network with “these people” is to read their blogs for a long time. Then post a few comments and try to get them to reply on it, and then move on to sending a mail saying something like “Hi – I´ve read your blog…blablabla”.
For more info on networking you should read Darius Kazemi´s articles/blog at http://tinysubversions.blogspot.com , he really has some great pointers about networking…. And he is also a pretty nice guy
Last thing…If you send someone a mail and they dont reply….NEVER EVER EVER write a follow up mail saying “Hi - i send you a mail X weeks ago, but you haven´t replied yet”. Just accept that they are too busy to reply to you (of course this doesn’t go for business related mails…but that sort of goes without saying)
Jonas said,
February 15, 2008 at 18:15
Wow guys thanks for your comments, I guess the best way to get people to comment is to be (as Fox put it) completely and shamelessly emo! Yay @ sympathy posts.
So, starting from the top:
EER: It’s spelled with an Æ you dunce! That’s why! And hey you can talk to me on MSN whenever you like, even if it’s been 10 years since your last message.
Gelo: Sod off
Milton: Pleased to meet you! It’s really cool that you like my blog, I try to keep it interesting (meaning writing as few as possible of these whiny emo rants). Do you also follow The Nameless Mod, by any chance? Or did you come here via Rasmus’ blog?
fox: I know, I know.
Rasmus: Yeah that’s the problem, you see: I know they won’t want to just hear a “hey I really like your work please add me”, but that’s all I have to offer right now. I don’t really need their advice, and there’s no point to telling them about TNM before it’s actually done. So I bide my time until TNM is finished so I really have something to tell them about.
EER said,
February 15, 2008 at 19:07
I’m not saying it’s not spelled with Æ, I’m saying it’s not on my bloody keyboard! LinkedIn should fix my input so that when I type ae, I will get Æ results as well, in fact, I have just sent their customer support a message that they should address this.
Google does it: http://www.google.dk/search?q=waever
Anyway, I’m going to conveniently ignore all other messages for now
Jonas said,
February 15, 2008 at 20:25
I love Google!
*Hugs Google*
Oh and hey, Ole Wæver is a smart man with great ideas. Sadly, we’re not related AFAIK
dotdkay said,
February 15, 2008 at 22:34
Just roll your “Persuasion/Fast Talk” again, how hard can it be?
Well, it’s hard to contribute with something new, but as other have already said just get into it, take a chance! My new job.. well im not studying anything near programmer(thanks to Jonas and he’s endless speaking of Movie and media-science), but I gave it a shot when I saw job ad, and in less than a half month, im going to have a job as a programmer, it’s a step closer breaking into the industry.
Jonas said,
February 15, 2008 at 22:49
Yeah but everybody needs programmers, that’s why they’re paid so much better than designers. Everybody can design a video game… right?
And FYI, I don’t think you get re-rolls in real life.
Daniel said,
March 6, 2008 at 19:03
I understand how it can be difficult talking to someone you don’t know, but look on the bright said. They don’t know you either.