Creating a good online presence: what is the best approach?

Introduction

In this modern age, a digital presence is not only expected but is essential. Establishing an online presence however can be quite daunting without knowing where to start.

In the Games Development professional sphere, it is absolutely necessary to keep an updated portfolio but also have it be accessible by potential employers.

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What platforms should you use?

Within the Games Development industry almost all social medias can be utilized at projecting your professional presence. But it is important that you invest your time and energy into something that will help you on your journey.

LinkedIn

I would personally begin with creating a LinkedIn account, it doesn't take long to do, and you can begin making connections immediately by following industry professionals and companies you're interested in.

LinkedIn is less formally known as the ' Facebook for professionals' as it follows a very simple social media design. Creating connections works much like any other social media - you send a request to connect, and they decide whether to accept it or not.

You can utilize this site to post projects that you're currently working on or even projects you've worked on in the past just to show how much you've improved over time.

Here's a video that should help you get set up on LinkedIn:

Here is my LinkedIn, feel free to connect with me: Samuel Livingstone | LinkedIn

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Twitter

Twitter is a fantastic way to not only post your work but see other peoples as well as create friends within the industry. It's very easy to set up a twitter account and surprisingly easy to find other people who work (or hope to work) in the same industry. Not only can you see other people's work, but you can repost it to help them - who knows? they might repost yours in return.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to begin your professional twitter account:

Here's my twitter: Samuel Livingstone (@developing_sam) / Twitter

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What Work Should You Post?

You might believe that posting absolutely everything is the key to having an effective online presence, however this isn't the case. By posting every single update you've added to a piece of work you can oversaturate your media feed. People probably won't want to scroll for hours looking at clips of bare bones games.

HOWEVER, you should still record those moments for the future. Not only is it useful to show how much the game has improved since first beginning but people have interest in those types of videos.

It sounds like I'm saying 'Don't post too much BUT don't post too little' which I'll admit isn't the most helpful, but what you post is really up to you. I personally post things that I find myself to be proud of or that I think other people would enjoy seeing.

How To Set Yourself Apart

Something a lot of people setting up their online professional presence forget I think is that employers aren't just searching for someone who is able to do their job, they're looking for someone who is likable, has personality, someone they won't mind spending time working with.

I personally like to use twitter as a slightly informal LinkedIn - posting your work is very important but make sure to put some personality into the posts - whether it's making a funny caption for your work or just retweeting a relatable meme about the industry or even just something that interests you personally. Employers will be able to differentiate you from people who only post their work.

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Sam's Suggestions

I thought that here at the very bottom I'd give some personal advice that I use myself. Not something I've been told by an industry professional but what I have learnt over time.

Do not let the idea of having a good online presence lead your projects. The idea that a project is only good if everyone sees and enjoys it is the furthest thing from the truth. Don't let social media burn you out.

Secondly on sites like Twitter and LinkedIn - you will see people who are extremely talented at what they do. DONT LET THAT DISCOURAGE YOU! You should look at other's work and help it inspire your own ideas. The truth is there will always be someone somewhere who is better at what you're doing than you are. The only way they can be better than you is if you truly believe that they are. Don't look at a post and think 'I wish I was good enough to do that' instead maybe try and recreate what they have done and if you struggle, reach out to the person who posted it and ask for help. I will admit some people might just ignore you, but that's the worst that could happen.

Finally, don't let fear and imposter syndrome rule your online presence. Be proud of what you have created, self-doubt never leads to anything good. Keep creating projects and keep posting them. Don't be discouraged if you don't get found right away, don't get discouraged if your post only gets one like, you've already done so much more than people who never even tried.