You might be thinking about taking up writing as a career. There are certainly many opportunities out there, but carving out a successful career as a freelancer can be quite the challenge. You’ll have to make sure that you’re capable of delivering high-quality work while also establishing yourself as an expert in your chosen field. To put it simply, it’s not enough to just show up and expect to land a job. You’ll need to make sure that you’re presenting yourself to potential employers in the best possible light.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring writer, you might be wondering how to get started. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered on this front. In this article, you’ll discover the ins and outs of getting a job as a writer for video games. It won’t be easy, but with the right approach, aligning with the right contacts, and making sure that you’re applying for the right jobs, you’ll be able to establish yourself as an expert and potentially land some amazing opportunities. So, let’s get started.
Know What To Look For
One of the most important things to consider when applying for a job is what you’ll need to have. It’s a good idea to take some time to familiarize yourself with the different positions available and what they entail. This can help you narrow your search and pinpoint the exact positions that suit you. You can also consult with other writers in your position to get an idea of what to expect. Finally, make sure that you understand the pay structures for different positions. While getting paid per piece might sound like a great deal, it can vary quite a bit. For example, a freelance journalist might be paid per article, while a game writer might only get paid per mission or per scene. Knowing this can help you decide what you should be asking for and if a certain offer is worth it.
Create A Great Pitch
Now that you have the idea of what you’ll need to have in place, it’s time to create your pitch. A pitch for games is a little different than a pitch for regular journalism, but it’s still based on the same fundamentals. Your pitch needs to grab the attention of the person you’re pitching to. You want your reader (or listener) to have all the information they need to decide to take you up on your offer. To create a great pitch, follow these steps:
- Choose a cool, authoritative voice for your pitch;
- Identify the problem that your game will solve;
- List the various solutions that your game provides;
- Summarize the game’s main features in one or two sentences;
- Give the reader an idea of what to expect in terms of storytelling, gameplay, and so on; and, finally,
- Provide some insight into how regular people can relate to what you’re developing.
Although the format might seem quite intimidating, creating a pitch for a game isn’t all that different from creating a pitch for a non-gaming related project. The only difference is that you’ll have a lot more information available about the game’s subject matter. It might help to break it down into smaller parts. For example, you might want to create a short video introducing yourself and your idea. This could be used as a pitch for future assignments or even to apply for full-time employment. Once you have your pitch, go over it one more time. Are there any ambiguities? Anything that you could add to make it more clear? Also, does the pitch fit smoothly into an email or a tweet? These are all things to consider.
Get To Work
Now that you have a pitch that you’re satisfied with, it’s time to get to work. This is where most writers will cringe. Applying for jobs isn’t something that most people look forward to, but it’s an important part of getting started. Remember, pitching is only one part of the process. Once you have at least three or four assignments under your belt, it’s time to start applying for jobs full-time. Don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities out there, but finding them will take some time.
As a beginner, it might be best to take a few months to establish yourself as a freelancer. During this time, you can apply for a variety of part-time and full-time writing positions. It’s important to make sure that you take advantage of all the resources that you can get your hands on. If you’re serious about breaking into the game industry, then joining a guild is a must. They can provide you with introductions to industry professionals, as well as offer tips on how to improve your craft.
Joining a writers’ group is also a great idea. Being a part of a group of authors can help you get your work published, as well as provide you with ample opportunity to pitch your work to publishers and other media companies. Finally, participating in social media is crucial if you want to establish yourself as an expert in your field. You can use sites like Twitter and LinkedIn to connect with potential employers and other writers.
Now that you’re equipped with the basics of applying for a job as a writer for games, you can finally get to work. Be sure to keep out mind open and continue to learn and grow as a writer. With some luck and a little bit of talent, you might just end up enjoying your job and growing your career quickly.