5 Game Industry Networking Oopsies (and how to avoid them)

To help you succeed in game audio, Ryan Ike shares some of his hard-earned lessons on what not to do when networking in the game industry (and what to do instead). As a bonus, we've also added 50+ guides for succeeding in sound, as well as a selection of essential game audio resources:

---

Written by Ryan Ike

---

Please share:

OOPS! Don’t ask for work:

When meeting someone who might have the power to hire you, it can be tempting to steer the conversation towards landing a gig. If you’re meeting new people at an event or convention, focus instead on just making genuine connections with folks. You’ll leave most events without a job offer, and that’s ok! The work comes later.

OOPS! Don’t come unprepared:

You should have a website where it’s incredibly easy for potential clients to see/hear your best work with as little friction as possible. Have business cards ready, but know that just as often you can trade Twitter or Instagram @’s, or even just write down the names of people you met so you can Google their contact info later.

OOPS! Don’t be fake:

Networking in games is less formal than in other industries. People want to work with people they know and like, so your goal is literally to make friends. No need to spend time on people who rub you the wrong way; you wouldn’t want to work with them anyhow.

OOPS! Don’t hyperfocus:

Your networking will be way less effective if you only focus on meeting people who can hire you. Anyone you can meet and get along with in the game industry is a valuable connection, from QA testers to environmental artists, to people who do the same job you do. You never know where your next referral will come from!

OOPS! Don’t be inconsistent:
One of the most important things you can do as you network in games? Be a regular. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t!) go to every event, but picking a few local and national ones you can make it to on a regular basis is a huge way to improve your results. If you’re a face people keep seeing, they’re more likely to think of you when they need your skills!

About Ryan Ike:
Ryan Ike is a composer and sound designer based in Seattle, WA, with work spanning games like West of Loathing, Where the Water Tastes Like Wine, and Wizard With A Gun. Outside of making audio, he spends his time trying to help newcomers find their place in the game industry, and is passionate about making sure that game audio pros (and creatives in general) are getting the pay and respect they deserve. You can listen to his work here

Click below to jump straight to your desired topic:

Game audio stories & resources:

Newest game audio stories • Essential game audio interviews • Game audio guides & resources • Essential sound design guides

Game sound effects:

Most popular game sound effects libraries • Newest game sound effects libraries • Overall most popular sound effects libraries • Search for SFX

More game audio resources:

Books about game audio • Podcasts about game audio • Game Audio Groups • Audio events • Game audio jobs • Find game audio pros • Showcase your audio skills • Game audio on social media • Branching out: Free 60+ page guide: How to succeed in 18 types of audio jobs