Tommy Robin (Ockeroid) Lecture on Online Freelancing

Today I attended a future fest (a uni festival in which industry related events are run to prepare students for graduation and getting into the job market.) with Tommy Robin talking to us about his point of view on working as a freelancer online.

Networking

He discussed how the best and probably only way to get jobs is through networking. He explained that people hire people because they know them. 90% of jobs are given to people who an employer knows. This leaves only 10% of job acquisition to persons unknown, as it's annoying to find new people and risky: you don't know what they can or can't do.

He explained this with his take-away (food) theory. When you find a pizza place that you know is good, you really like their pizzas etc. it is easier to be a repeat customer than to go and experiment with other places when you don't know how good it'll be. Equally so, if a friend recommends it, you are more likely to believe that than all the fancy fliers with all their promises. So, if someone you know says "yeah they are good to work with" are more likely to work with you than if you just say your good.

Another thing about networking: you often get offered jobs that aren't listed. If someone needs a job done, and they know you, they have seen some of your work, then they are likely to offer the job to you rather than go through the effort of searching for someone appropriate to take the job by listing.

But not everything is happy sailing. Being a freelance animator, even with good networking, doesn't equate to regular jobs. Sometimes, you will have nothing lined up, expect that.

Networking also means that you don't particularly need a CV. Because your last job acts as your CV for you. And as for interviews, the last time you went to have a coffee with that person etc., that was your interview. Essentially, no interviews.

Most people have preconceptions about how the whole thing of getting a job through networking goes. I can't recall what Robin said his was, but this is what he found the actual process to be.

• Meet at event
• Meet at another event
• Several months pass
• Something reminds them of the other person
• Jobs randomly come

Once you get a job and finish it, you need to send them an invoice. Don't be shy about sending out invoices (basically a bill for a job) no matter how much time has elapsed. When they owe you money and you bill them, they are more than likely to pay you.

When it comes to getting jobs, you really need to look for the openings. When you get good at that, soon you will be able to see potential future openings. Therefore, it is essential to befriend people before the openings crop up. Equally, when you do befriend a person, it is important to stay in contact so that if they have anymore jobs they may very well offer them to you.

Peers

When working with a person and networking remember that it's a friendship. Never burn bridges as everything works in reverse. For example, if you have a falling out with someone, and then someone asks them what you are like to work with they aren't going to say very nice things about you. Therefore, that job that could have been yours goes to someone else.

People are good at surprising you. I remember he said this, but can't remember what it was in relation to. Probably about peers giving you a helping hand, offering you a job, or recommending you to someone else if they can' t do the job that they need done. Ah yes - he did say this was another important thing to do: if you can't help them on a job, point them to someone who can instead of being a dead end. This gains you brownie points with both the asker and whoever you recommend, which will bring you more opportunities etc. later when they return the favour.

Corporate projects pay good money, indie projects not so good. Enough said on this.

Other Tips

• Don't be the clients pencil - put your own stamp on the work: be innovative.
• You're not really trying hard enough if the sky is blue and the grass is green: stylize it.
• Give yourself deadlines and stick to them:
• "Done is better than great."
• "Great starts with good enough."
• Business cards are useful when at a networking event for giving out your details but are not a direct means of getting you a job. Getting to know the people you are giving them to will.
• It is important to distinguish between your work and other peoples: give a little to what they want when your are working with/for them.
• You can tell when a film-maker didn't care and no one will enjoy watching your lack of passion.
• You can only be at most a combination of these three things: cheap-good-fast.
• Internet is good for parodies.

Side note: YouTube may not be the place anymore. Audience retention is prioritized: angling more towards the length of video being better and therefore paying better. Few people make a living off of their channels (animation) and "what to watch" has more or less killed the near guarantee that the number of your subscribers will be the minimum number of views on your videos.

That being said, it is still a good way to display your work. It may not be able to be your sole income, but can be a good supplement. And there is a good community...

However, if a competitor rises soon, then the majority of animators are going to migrate away from the YouTube medium. (Apparently, anyway.)