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As a lot because it pains me to say it, we’re getting into conference season. Beginning with GDC this month we common roughly one main commerce present a month till PAX in September. Which means numerous members of the itch.io neighborhood will seemingly need to work their first conference. Effectively worry not as a result of we’ve acquired some ideas that can assist you maximize your first expo. 
Picture from GDC China
Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
So that you’ve gotten the assets collectively to make it to your first conference/expo. Congrats, it’s time to begin working. The preparation earlier than a present is arguably as necessary as what you do on the present itself. If you happen to’re going to a enterprise oriented present, it’s time to begin reserving appointments and sprucing up your construct (in the event you’re exhibiting one thing). You don’t need to go all-out in your first present, however I’ve all the time tried to be sure that I’m by no means consuming alone. As an alternative of grabbing a snack from the conference heart, I schedule conferences with folks at eating places close to the middle. This fashion I get away from the middle (that’s necessary in your sanity) but additionally get an opportunity to eat one thing apart from $15 conference heart nachos. I’ve discovered that it’s best to discover a restaurant that appears first rate beforehand and make it a type of “house base” for conferences over the course of the present.
However what about as soon as the assembly is finished? How will folks keep in mind you? Get some enterprise playing cards! Certain they sound corporate-y and this appears like recommendation you’d hear from American Psycho however enterprise playing cards make it straightforward for folks to recollect you and your mission. I do know that moo.com is a well-liked place to get playing cards printed up, however it’s undoubtedly not the one place. Simply ensure you’re not getting the most cost effective paper high quality and also you’re off to the races. It’s additionally price noting that some print outlets have a a number of week turnaround on enterprise playing cards so be sure that to take that into consideration as you’re making ready for a present.
Make new buddies
Expos are nice as a result of they pressure tons of superior folks with related pursuits into one space for a weekend. If you happen to’ve ever needed to attach with different builders, companions, or the press there are few higher alternatives than conventions. Now there are numerous articles written in enterprise journals and blogs throughout the web about “networking” however let’s be actual: they’re principally all soulless nonsense. I’ve all the time tried to strategy these types of occasions truthfully. I’m the sort of one that genuinely desires to know extra in regards to the folks I’m speaking to. Possibly that’s not you, however if you wish to be good at networking you must be taught to faux it.
Assume again to a time when somebody was actually keen about one thing and actually needed to let you know about it even if you didn’t need to hear about it. That basically sucked didn’t it? I’ve discovered that asking folks about what they’re engaged on and keen about is a means higher strategy than “Hello my identify is Spencer and I need to promote my upcoming mission to you for the subsequent quarter-hour.” If you happen to take nothing else away from this do not forget that the indie neighborhood is small and also you need to be referred to as somebody pleasant moderately than somebody who talked advert nauseum about their recreation that one time.
Moreover, it’s price going to locations the place you already know folks might be. If you happen to’re a celebration individual go to a celebration. If you happen to prefer to calm down, invite some buddies and type a Katamari of individuals when you go to Denny’s at 2am. Do no matter works finest so that you can meet new folks.
That is what Harvard says “self care” seems like.
Care for your self
I really feel like this one must be apparent however it’s REALLY not so let’s repeat the header: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Internalize that sentence and preserve it with you all through your present. I can’t let you know the variety of devs I’ve seen sleeping underneath their cubicles at PAXes or the swathes of hungover folks by the Thursday of GDC (I’m responsible of this final one). There’s no disgrace in taking an early night, or enjoyable with buddies as a substitute of occurring a bender till the bars shut. Expos are a marathon, not a dash.
It’s additionally price saying that you simply’re not solely representing your self at a present, however your model. What would you like your model to say? Would you like your model to be the lady who hasn’t showered in 3 days or the man with final evening’s puke on his footwear? Possibly that’s you, however I’m guessing (hoping) it’s not. Keep in mind to pack sufficient garments and to bathe as steadily as you’ll at house.
Lastly, you must also take a while for your self after a present. You’re going to be strolling round a ton throughout any conference (deliver comfortable footwear) so I all the time attempt to take a break after a conference. A current behavior of mine is to ebook an affordable therapeutic massage within the days after a conference. It solely prices $30 and it’s mentally and bodily enjoyable. Now I don’t suppose everybody ought to exit and get massages, however do one thing to unwind from the insanity that’s being packed right into a constructing with tens of hundreds of individuals.
That is in no way an exhaustive checklist of tips on how to deal with your first conference, however hopefully the following tips will make your first present slightly simpler. Do you could have any recommendation for the neighborhood? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
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