As a lot because it pains me to say it, we’re getting into conference season. Starting with GDC this month we common roughly one main commerce present a month till PAX in September. This signifies that a variety of members of the itch.io group will possible should work their first conference. Well concern not as a result of we’ve bought some suggestions that can assist you maximize your first expo.

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Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

So you’ve gotten the assets collectively to make it to your first conference/expo. Congrats, it’s time to start out working. The preparation earlier than a present is arguably as essential as what you do on the present itself. If you’re going to a enterprise oriented present, it’s time to start out reserving appointments and sprucing up your construct (when you’re displaying one thing). You don’t should go all-out to your first present, however I’ve all the time tried to ensure that I’m by no means consuming alone. Instead of grabbing a snack from the conference heart, I schedule conferences with individuals at eating places close to the middle. This manner I get away from the middle (that’s essential to your sanity) but in addition get an opportunity to eat one thing aside 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 kind of “home base” for conferences over the course of the present.

But what about as soon as the assembly is completed? How will individuals bear in mind you? Get some enterprise playing cards! Sure they sound corporate-y and this appears like recommendation you’d hear from American Psycho however enterprise playing cards make it straightforward for individuals to recollect you and your venture. I do know that moo.com is a well-liked place to get playing cards printed up, but it surely’s positively not the one place. Just be sure you’re not getting the most affordable paper high quality and also you’re off to the races. It’s additionally value noting that some print retailers have a a number of week turnaround on enterprise playing cards so be certain that to take that into consideration as you’re getting ready for a present.

Make new pals

Expos are nice as a result of they drive tons of superior individuals with comparable pursuits into one space for a weekend. If you’ve ever needed to attach with different builders, companions, or the press there are few higher alternatives than conventions. Now there are a variety of articles written in enterprise journals and blogs throughout the web about “networking” however let’s be actual: they’re mainly all soulless nonsense. I’ve all the time tried to strategy these kinds of occasions actually. I’m the sort of one that genuinely needs to know extra in regards to the individuals I’m speaking to. Maybe that’s not you, however if you wish to be good at networking you must be taught to faux it.

Think again to a time when somebody was actually obsessed with one thing and actually needed to inform you about it even if you didn’t wish to hear about it. That actually sucked didn’t it? I’ve discovered that asking individuals about what they’re engaged on and obsessed with is a manner higher strategy than “Hi my name is Spencer and I want to advertise my upcoming project to you for the next 15 minutes.” If you’re taking nothing else away from this do not forget that the indie group is small and also you wish to be referred to as somebody pleasant moderately than somebody who talked advert nauseum about their recreation that one time.

Furthermore, it’s value going to locations the place you understand individuals will probably be. If you’re a celebration particular person go to a celebration. If you wish to calm down, invite some pals and kind a Katamari of individuals when you go to Denny’s at 2am. Do no matter works greatest so that you can meet new individuals.

This is what Harvard says “self care” appears like.

Take care of your self

I really feel like this one must be apparent but it surely’s REALLY not so let’s repeat the header: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Internalize that sentence and maintain it with you all through your present. I can’t inform you the variety of devs I’ve seen sleeping beneath their cubicles at PAXes or the swathes of hungover individuals by the Thursday of GDC (I’m responsible of this final one). There’s no disgrace in taking an early night, or stress-free with pals as an alternative of happening a bender till the bars shut. Expos are a marathon, not a dash.

It’s additionally value saying that you just’re not solely representing your self at a present, however your model. What would you like your model to say? Do you need your model to be the lady who hasn’t showered in 3 days or the man with final night time’s puke on his footwear? Maybe that’s you, however I’m guessing (hoping) it’s not. Remember to pack sufficient garments and to bathe as ceaselessly as you’ll at dwelling.

Finally, you also needs to take a while for your self after a present. You’re going to be strolling round a ton throughout any conference (convey cozy footwear) so I all the time attempt to take a break after a conference. A current behavior of mine is to ebook an inexpensive therapeutic massage within the days after a conference. It solely prices $30 and it’s mentally and bodily stress-free. Now I don’t assume 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.

This is certainly not an exhaustive listing of find out how to deal with your first conference, however hopefully the following tips will make your first present a bit simpler. Do you’ve got any recommendation for the group? Let us know within the feedback beneath.