作者：Ryan Wolniak

就像每一名游戏开发者都有一套创建游戏框架的软件和硬件一样，交际者的也有自己的一套交际武器。

在本系列的上一部分中，我们谈到了人脉及交际的重要性。如果你脱离了交际圈，那么所有的工具都将只是垃圾。但是如果你一旦选择进入这个交际圈，那么你就必须做好准备，迎接眼前未知的各种挑战。

以下是一些交际专家使用过的有益的行业工具，我们将按不同分类一一列举出来。

面对面的交流工具

有时候电子邮件和电话并不一定有良好的效果。这时你便需要脱离它们，走到现实中与他人进行面对面的直接交流。而这时候，以下的这些工具将对你很有帮助。

名片

当我想到面对面交际时，第一个浮现在我脑海中的便是名片。名片使得人与人之间能够快捷地交换相互信息。这种工具使得我们无需手忙脚乱地记录和保存他人电话号吗。只是简单地与对方交流名片，你便能够获得对方的交流信息了。

名片不仅能够帮助你轻松地与他人交换联系信息，同时它也能够帮助你更好地宣传你的品牌。

到底名片上需要包括哪些信息呢？以下内容可以提供给你一些参考：

姓名

职称

公司名称

品牌口号

商标

电话号码

邮箱地址

公司地址

网站

随身携带的笔记本

如果你不能正确判断那张名片适用于那次交际，那么这将不利于你与对方之间的交流。

所以我选择使用一本轻巧方便且可以随身携带的笔记本帮助我记录一些事。

当我面见一些首次见面的人时，我便会抽出笔记本并记下关于这个人的一些信息，以及我们之间的对话内容等。如果你需要一整天频繁与一些人接触，并且即将混淆一些事，或者像我一样很容易忘事，那么这个工具对你来说将会很有帮助。根据你所记下的注释，不论是与对方进行电话沟通还是电子邮件交流，你将能更有条理地组织语言进行交际。

得体的穿着

不管你喜不喜欢，在你开口说话之前，很多人都是通过装束对你做出第一印象的评判。只需要一眼，对方便能够从你的衣着，发型，甚至是你的体型做出相应的判断。

让我们集中来说说比较容易改变的方面，即衣着。假设你的衣着就像游戏中的图标，这个图标将能够帮助你吸引玩家（交谈者）的注意，而游戏机制（即你的个性）则能够帮你留住更多玩家。

对于你的游戏开发伙伴以及客户来说，你穿什么样的衣服就决定了你是什么样的人。如果你想展示一个上流而专业的形象，那就不妨选择西装男式衬衫，运动夹克和卡其裤，再加上一个领结看起来可能还会更时尚。但如果你想体现的是休闲且平易近人的风格，也许可以穿一条牛仔裤，再搭配一件有领衬衫即可。

装束除了能让你看起来与众不同，它还能让你在交际时显得更加轻松自在。当你选择一套感觉不错的衣服时，你将会在交际的时候倍感自信。

在线工具

如果你正在寻找一种简单且方便的交际方法，那么最好的方法便是上网。通过在线交际，你可以轻松地与对方进行交流。以下是一些你迟早会用到的工具：

电子邮件

对于菜鸟级交际者而言，电子邮件可以说是经过验证的最有效交际方法：

你可以在方便的时候随时进行交际。与面对面交际不同，电子邮件不需要花费你太多时间。你可以在早上发出电子邮件，然后在剩下的时间里编写或设计你的游戏，并在收到对方的电子邮件后进行回复即可。你需要注意的是，回复邮件的时间不要太长，因为这会让对方觉得你很没有礼貌。

你可以自行组织语言。你不需要立即回复邮件。这就意味着你有充足的时间思考并编写更有吸引力的回复，以此调动潜在客户或者对方的兴趣。

电子邮件是一个很好交际起点。在发电子邮件之前你不需要对对方了如指掌，事实上，如果你完全不认识对方也没关系。我曾经在未正式拜见导师之前便给他们发了电子邮件，而且也收到了他们的回复。从这种来回的回复中你们之间的关系将会慢慢形成，而最终推动你们进行面对面的直接交流。

电子邮件较为公开。尽管电子邮件的私密度不如电话交谈或者面对面交流，但是正因为如此人们才愿意发出他们的电子邮件。你可以在游戏开发者或者客户的网站上打到对方的电子邮箱地址。

Twitter

你是否缺少时间却仍想要阅读并分享一些关于游戏产业中的新动态？

Twitter让你能够关注你的好友，顾客，同事等等，并让你能够随时了解他们的最新动态。不论他们是在分享链接或者只是在描述自己的生活，你都能够在自己的好友动态栏中了解到相关内容。同样地，在Twitter上你也可以通过分享自己喜欢的事物，说出一个令人吃惊的新闻和事件，向他人提出问题或者直接与进行交谈结识新友，或者建立起自己的信誉。

Twitter最棒的一点便是用户所发的任何一条信息都不能超过140个字符。这一点可极大方便你和自己所关注的数十人，甚至数百名联系人进行交流。

Facebook

你是否正在寻找一种能帮助你与对方进行更深层次交流的工具？那么Facebook便再合适不过了。

比起其它社交网站，Facebook更加注重隐私，而这也正是Facebook叱咤风云的重要因素之一。很多人将工作与社交生活完全区分开来，而这就意味着他们在发电子邮件或Twitter的时候只能严肃地谈一些公事而不能随意轻松地与他人交谈。我建议这些人可以接触一下网页功能。

网页将能让你在Facebook上建立一个区别于个人账户的身份。在这里你将不能与他人进行直接交流，如在他们的留言板留言等，但是你却能够通过分享一些信息或者回复别人的评论等与他人进行交流。当你更新了状态或者分享了一些信息时，关注你的人便能在自己的好友动态栏里看到你的更新内容。而这些人便能在你的页面或者信息墙上对你的更新内容做出评论。

对于一些公司或者知名人士而言，网页交际更加合理有效，因为通过这个工具他们能够与粉丝进行交流。然而对于普通人而言却很难建立起大规模的“粉丝群”，不过还是有一些人能够做到。

LinkedIn

对于一些专业人士而言，LinkedIn是个更合适的在线交际工具。因为这个网站适用于商务人士，所以用户便无需担忧公事与私事相混淆的情形出现了。

一开始你需要建立一个账户，并详细描写你的工作和所从事的行业。然后你可以向同样在使用LinkedIn的其他人发出邀请，要求与对方建立联系。一旦你与对方建立了连接，你便可以向对方提出问题，介绍自己或者接受对方的介绍，然后与对方保持联系。

个人网站

不要只是单纯地依赖于社交网站上的个人资料，何不尝试着建立自己的个人网站并在上面更好地展示自己呢？

对于交际者而言个人网站确实是一个很好的交际工具，因为借此他们能够按照自己的想法，把自己想要表达的性格，品牌或角色等展现给访客。你不只能够自行决定网站的内容，图片和信息，同时你也可以自己装扮网站。你可以为自己设计一个独一无二的网站，以此吸引更多的游戏开发商，赞助者和顾客。

Untold Entertainment（游戏邦注：通过发表博客吸引了大量潜在顾客并与开发者建立密切的关系）和Vortix Games（游戏邦注：通过在网站上刊登了游戏作品以及发表博客与同行和客户进行交流）便都是使用个人网站进行交际而提高品牌知名度的典例。

建立一个个人网站并不难，但是却需要付出一点点代价。域名每年费用约10美元，而便宜的网站托管服务每月开销也仅需5美元。

安排工具

如果你将与很多新面孔打交道，那么你将需要一个能让你条例清楚的工具。无论是帮你在城镇里找路，还是帮你安排下一次的会议，这种工具迟早都将派上用场。

日历

就像我们之前说过的，在交际过程中，人们对你的第一印象往往都很重要。而这就意味着你信守承诺。也就是如果你说你将要打电话给朋友，与客户见面或者发电子邮件，那么你就必须切切实实地做到这些。我不管你是多大牌的人物还是你有多健忘，反正人们都不可能喜欢被忽略的感觉。

幸运的是，日历能够帮你轻松地记录任何交际安排。日历真的是一件很有效率的工具，它能够让你保持清晰的条理，并完美地履行自己的承诺。我是从今年开始使用日历的，也正是从那时起我发现我的组织能力变得更加清晰明显了。我不仅可以将自己一周的社交安排写在上面，我还可以将自己的目标，任务，甚至是即将到来的游戏发行日期标注于上。

如果你并不喜欢使用台式日历，那么你可以尝试着下载一个谷歌日历软件。

智能手机

在过去几年里，智能手机变得更加精致小巧，也正因为如此使得它成为了众多交际者不可或缺的随身配件。电子邮件功能使得使用者能够与客户随时保持联系，上网功能则使交际者能够随时核对会议时间表，或者能够通过搜索找到最适合的咖啡厅与新客户进行交流等。这些智能手机同时还具有GPS功能，这对于那些在陌生城市的出租汽车用户着实是个不可或缺的好帮手。

除了一些常备的应用程序外，大多数智能手机还有许许多多有用的应用程序，能够帮助那些职业开发者记录时间，文件，数据，阅读，文件管理等等。

最重要的一个工具：正确的心态

虽然上述所列的工具能够帮你提高交际能力，但是却不能取代优秀的交际技巧和正确的交际心态。

原文发表于2011年3月21日，所涉事件及数据以当时为准。（本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译，如需转载请联系：游戏邦）

Networking for Game Developers Part II: Tools of the Trade

Just as every game developer’s toolbox includes a set of different programs and hardware that provide a framework behind their game developer, so too does a networker’s arsenal provide a basis for their socializing.

In the last part of the Networking for Game Developers series, we talked about the importance of embracing networking. If you don’t choose to network, all the tools in the world can’t help you. But, once you’ve made that decision, you need to start preparing yourself for the great networking adventure that lies ahead of you.

Here are some tools of the trade used by expert networkers, broken down by category.

In-Person Tools

Sometimes email and phone calls don’t cut it. You need to get out there and actually meet people in the flesh and blood. For those occasions, here are the tools you’ll need.

Business Cards

When I think of in-person networking, business cards are the first thing that pops into my mind. Business cards allow contact information to be exchanged between people quickly and easily. There’s no awkward fumbling with phones trying to figure out how to enter you number into the other person’s phone. You simply exchange business cards and presto, you are now the proud owner of their contact details.

Not only do business cards give you a simpler way to exchange contact info; they also give you the chance to convey your brand and stand out.

Wondering what to put on your business card? Here are some possibilities:

Name

Job Title

Company Name

Tagline

Logo

Phone Numbers

Email Address

Physical Address

Website Address

Pocket Notebook

Networking is no good if you can’t even remember which business card went with which conversation.

I like to use a small, pocket notebook to supplement my memory.

After I meet someone new, I’ll pull out my notebook and jot down some quick notes about the person and the conversation we’ve had. It’s extremely useful for when you’ve been networking all day and all the faces start to jumble together, or if you’re forgetful like me. By jotting down notes, you’ll have some context through which to contact the person when you go to call or email them.

Proper Attire

Like it or not, many people will judge you before you even open your mouth. With one look, they’ll form judgments based on your clothing, your hairstyle and even your physique.

Let’s focus on the aspect that’s easy to change: your clothing. Think of your clothing like game graphics. The graphics (your look) are great for drawing players (contacts) in, but it’s the mechanics (your personality) that will cement the relationship.

Classy

Your clothes should reflect the type of person you are to your fellow game developers and clients. If you’re looking to project a classy, professional image, then perhaps a dress shirt, blazer and khakis are the way to go. Throw on a bowtie for an even classier look. But, maybe you want to project a more casual, approachable look. In that case, perhaps a pair of jeans and a collared shirt would work.

Besides helping you look awesome, clothing can help you feel more at ease when networking. When you choose clothes you feel good about, you’ll feel more confident and ready to network.

Online Tools

If you’re looking for an easy and convenient way to start networking, the best place to start is online. With online networking, you can filter your web personas or responses to convey yourself in the best light possible. Here are some tools that will come in handy:

Email

One of the tried and true forms of networking, email holds a number of advantages for budding networkers:

You can network when it’s convenient. Unlike networking in person, emails take up very little time. Send off an email in the morning, spend a couple hours coding or designing your game, and answer the response later. Just don’t take too long to answer, that can be seen as rude.

You can structure your responses. Emails aren’t done in real time. This means that you have time to think about and edit your response into one that will interest your potential client or peer.

Emails are a good starting point. You don’t have to know someone well to email them; actually, you don’t even have to know them at all! I’ve sent off emails to mentors before ever talking to them and still got responses. From those responses you can build up a relationship, which could eventually turn into an in-person meeting.

Emails are easy to find. Although emails are less personal than phone conversations or in-person meetings, this also means that people will be much more willing to give them out. You can often find a game developer’s or client’s email on their website or with a little digging.
Twitter

Short on time, but still want to read and share details about what’s going on in the gaming industry?

Twitter allows you to follow friends, clients, peers or anyone really, and stay up-to-date on their latest news. Whether they’re sharing links or just talking about their day, you’ll see it pop up in your feed. Likewise, you can build friendships and credibility with Twitter by sharing your favorite articles (like this one), talking about awesome news and events, asking questions, or even talking directly to others.

The nice thing about Twitter is that all the tweets (information updates) are 140 characters or less. This makes it easier to connect with the tens, or even hundreds, of contacts that you’re following.

Still confused about Twitter? Check out this nifty article that should hopefully explain everything.

Facebook

Looking for a way to network on a deeper level? Facebook may be the tool for you.

Facebook is much more personal than other social networking sites, which makes Facebook a tricky tool to use. Most people separate their business lives from their social lives, which means you can’t just go around contacting random people on it like you can with email or Twitter. Instead, you’re going to want to utilize the Pages feature.

Pages will allow you to set up an identity on Facebook that is separate from your personal account. You can’t interact with people directly, such as by posting on their walls, but you can interact with them on your page by sharing information or responding to comments. When you share updates or information on your page, it will show up in the news feed of people who “like” your page. These people will be able to comment on your page’s updates and wall.

Pages tend to work best for companies and high profile individuals, who can use them to interact with their fan base. However, it can be hard for individuals to build up a sizable fan base, although it certainly is doable.

LinkedIn

Focused on professionals, LinkedIn is a great option for networking online. Since it’s focused on business, you can network without mixing personal and professional life.

To get started, you set up a profile, detailing what your job and industry are. Then, you connect with other people who also use LinkedIn by sending them a request to connect. Once you’ve built up a network of connections, you can ask questions, introduce contacts (or be introduced) to other contacts and keep in touch.

Personal Website

Instead of relying solely on social networking profiles, why not create your own website to present yourself to the digital world?

Personal websites are great tools for networkers because they can be customized to convey the type of character, brand, or persona you want others to see. Not only will you have complete control over the type of content, pictures, and information that is displayed, but you will have control over the design aspects of your site as well. You can design your site in a unique way that makes you stand out to fellow game developers, sponsors, and clients.

Good examples of companies that use personal websites to increase their brand awareness and network with others include Untold Entertainment (who uses blogging to draw in potential clients and build relationships with developers) and Vortix Games (whose website displays their game portfolio as well as blog posts to help connect with peers and clients).

Personal websites are easy to make, however there are (minimal) costs to it. Domain names run about $10 per year, while cheap web hosting can be acquired for as little as $5 a month.

Organizational Tools

If you’re going to be meeting a lot of new people, you’ll want to stay organized. Whether it’s finding your way around town, or planning your next meet-up, these tools will come in handy.

Calendar

As we already discussed, people’s impressions of you are important when it comes to networking. This means you have to be committed to your word. If you say you’re going to call a friend, meet-up with a client, or email potential contacts, then actually do it. I don’t care how important or forgetful you are, people don’t like to be stood up.

Luckily, keeping track of all your networking is easy when you start using a calendar. A productivity wonder, calendars are excellent at keeping you organized and on top of your commitments.  I just started using one this year, and I’ve seen my organizational abilities sky rocket. Not only does it keep track of my week’s social events, but I can write in goals, tasks, and even upcoming project dates.

If you’re not a desk calendar kind of person like me, perhaps try a virtual calendar like Google Calendar.

Smartphone

Smart phones have gotten pretty sophisticated in the past few years, which makes them a great gadget for networkers. Their ability to email helps you stay in touch with clients on the go, and the web surfing capabilities lets you check up on the schedule for that conference you’re attending or find a spot to grab coffee at with your new contacts. They even have GPS capabilities, a must for rental car users in an unfamiliar city.

Besides the stock apps, popular smart phones have thousands of apps available to help savvy developers keep track of their time, documents, invoices, reading, file management and more.

The Most Important Tool of All:  The Right Mindset

These tools are great for improving your networking capabilities, but don’t let them be a substitute for good networking skills and a positive mindset.

Don’t have good networking skills yet?

Not to fear. In the next section of this series, I’m going to go over a quick guide to networking, some skills you might need, and how to acquire them.（source:freelanceflashgames）