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Have you spent countless hours learning animation, building a website, editing your reel, and establishing a social media presence, only to struggle with breaking into the industry as a professional<\/p>\n
No matter how skilled you are, finding a job can be tough if the right people aren\u2019t seeing your work.<\/p>\n
The key is networking. Unfortunately, there aren\u2019t many courses on effective networking in animation, and the word itself can feel daunting.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t worry\u2014we\u2019ve been there too. In this post, we\u2019ll share our top networking tips for making valuable connections in the industry, both online and in person.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t think of networking as merely getting others to see your work \u2013 you can do that through job postings and similar avenues.<\/p>\n
Instead, view networking as an opportunity to get to know others in your industry on a personal level. By building these connections, you may come to mind when job opportunities arise.<\/p>\n
Think of it like this \u2013 if you heard of a job opening that was perfect for a friend of yours, wouldn\u2019t you recommend them for it?\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s exactly why building personal connections in the industry is important.<\/p>\n
In the next few sections, we\u2019ll explore tips on this networking approach in various contexts.<\/p>\n
Ever\u00a0been to an animation conference, met someone you admire, handed them your business card, and then found yourself at a loss for words?<\/p>\n
If so, you might be approaching networking\u00a0the wrong way\u00a0(unless you\u2019re dealing with a studio collecting business cards).<\/p>\n
Instead of viewing networking as a tedious business tactic,\u00a0think of it as\u00a0an opportunity to make genuine connections.<\/p>\n
In the animation world, people like working with and hiring their friends. So, if you make friends with fellow animators, you\u2019re more likely to find work through them.<\/p>\n
But how do you make friends at animation conferences?<\/p>\n
The answer: be yourself (and put yourself out there).<\/p>\n
People, including you, can quickly sense someone\u2019s true intentions. If you approach others with the sole aim of getting them to look at your reel or discuss job openings, the conversation won\u2019t last long. However, if you genuinely try to get to know them and connect over shared interests,\u00a0you\u2019re more likely to\u00a0make lasting connections.<\/p>\n
Remember, unless you\u2019re speaking with someone or a studio that is actively hiring, it\u2019s much better\u00a0to just be yourself\u00a0and get to know people for the sake of getting to know them.<\/p>\n
Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter have made it incredibly easy to connect with artists worldwide.<\/p>\n
However, no one logs into Instagram expecting to see\u00a0a bunch of\u00a0random job requests in their DMs.<\/p>\n
Instead, focus on building a strong profile showcasing your animation work. Follow artists and studios you admire. Like their posts. Comment on their work. Take a genuine interest in what they\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n
The goal is to build authentic connections with other artists, who may reciprocate your engagement and get to know your work\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n
When an opportunity arises, you might already be\u00a0top of\u00a0mind among\u00a0your peers, making you a natural fit for the job.<\/p>\n
Networking on LinkedIn couldn\u2019t be easier.\u00a0Simply\u00a0find people with similar job descriptions to what you\u2019re seeking and connect with them. Most will accept the connection within a day or two. When they do, send them a DM with a few simple questions.\u00a0Mention\u00a0that\u00a0you\u2019re looking\u00a0to follow a similar career path and ask how they got their first break in the industry.<\/p>\n
Most artists love sharing their stories and want to inspire and help others. You\u2019ll receive practical advice from those willing to share, including\u00a0the courses they took, how they applied for jobs and the feedback that improved their reels.<\/p>\n
Take all the advice seriously and work on improving your reel. Follow up with connections who show interest in your work, and the next time they hear of a job opening, you might be the first person they think of.<\/p>\n
The advice here is straightforward:\u00a0make a list of\u00a0all the studios you\u2019re interested in and email their general inquiry or careers contact.<\/p>\n
Your goal is\u00a0to make the studio aware of your work and your interest in working with them.<\/p>\n
Even if they\u2019re not\u00a0currently\u00a0hiring, many studios will take note of your demo reel. Then, if they open a role that fits your skills, you may already be considered among the applicants.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a simple email template you can use:<\/p>\n
Hi\u00a0<\/em>[studio name]<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em><\/p>\n My name is\u00a0<\/em>[your name<\/em><\/strong>], and\u00a0I\u2019m interested in working\u00a0with you. I\u2019m a big fan of\u00a0<\/em>[XYZ projects they\u2019ve done]<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and believe I\u2019d be a good fit for the team.<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019ve put together a short reel highlighting some of my work that I think would be a great fit. I\u2019d love it if you checked it out and shared your thoughts:<\/em><\/p>\n Link to reel<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Looking\u00a0forward to hearing from you.<\/em><\/p>\n Best,<\/em><\/p>\n [your name]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t get a response\u00a0right away, it\u2019s a good idea to follow up in a few weeks. This follow-up might remind a recruiting manager to check out your work, and who knows, they might need a new hire they haven\u2019t advertised yet.<\/p>\n Additionally, asking for feedback on your reel can help determine if you\u2019d be a good fit. While not everyone will respond, if a studio does,\u00a0be sure to\u00a0update your work with their critiques and send it back to them. This shows\u00a0you\u2019re capable of learning\u00a0and are actively interested in working with them.<\/p>\n Breaking into the animation industry requires more than\u00a0just\u00a0honing your skills and building a portfolio. Networking is essential for making the right connections \u2013 and even though \u201cnetworking\u201d can seem daunting,\u00a0just\u00a0remember it\u2019s more about building lasting genuine relationships rather than handing out your business card and expecting results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\n