Self Promotion

To begin this blog post off I am going to say that there needs to be something to show and this includes:

• Showreel
• Portfolio
• Website
• Business Cards
• CV
• Blog

In order to get a name for yourself within the industry, self promotion is a must. There are numerous methods ranging from the simple to the 'out of this world'. Some of these include:

• Create a Facebook profile for my work such as 'Michael Dixon Compositor' that showcases my work and what I'm working on, and then furthering this to send out the Facebook to employers (add it at the end of the showreel). It also gives a point of call to make contacts within the industry as more and more people 'like' the page.
• Use LinkedIn to its greatest potential, such as connecting with people that could give advice and perhaps pass on your name to other people that give a chance of getting employed.
• Do some freelance work that helps to improve your skills but also experience to put on a CV.
• Create a twitter account, similar to the first point above, self promote what you're doing at the time and post interesting articles and blogs that may interest other people (preferably in the same field as yourself).
• A very cheeky way to promote by email is to have the title as 'Oops I'm Sorry...' which gave one person their most opened email. Although it does mislead people, it does make people open it to see what people are sorry for.
• (Idea from Phil) Xmas email cards that get your name out there in a nice, polite way, and gives people the chance to view your showreel. It's all about discreet self promotion.
• Free tutorials that get your name across whilst also helping out individuals that aren't as far progress as yourself. I have seen some students do this already but not on a large scale, which is unfortunate, as it gives you a good reputation.
• Try to win awards so that you can tell employers that you are a good student, one such place to advertise as a 3D modeller is CG Student Awards (Link).
• Try to self promote at festival/conferences, I already have a ticket for the VFX Festival in London on the 10-13th October 2012, but there numerous other events, especially for game artists to attend, throughout the year.
• Unique items such as a keyring, booklets, bags, playing cards, etc.
• Use recruitment companies, Escape Studios has recruitment links that could prove useful in order to be able to appeal to potential employers.
• Do something different. Advertise on the escalators on the Underground so people see your work. It's all about doing something different to get noticed.
• BE UNIQUE.

These are just a few things that can be done. Self Promotion is the result of how much effort you put in, so to get results, a lot of work has to be done.

Throughout the next few weeks I will be looking into each of these and thinking of what I can do with the budget I have.