Essay: Recruiting

More often than not you won't be able to do absolutely everything yourself. You might be able to draw, but you can't design a GUI or write the story you want. You might be a great writer, but you haven't a clue as to how a music sheet works. That's why recruiting is crucial if you want to focus on what you do best. Sometimes you'll want to help others with their projects too, so you throw your skills up there on the table.

Either way, there are parts of a recruiting/commissioning offer post that will be the same.

• Project: What is your project? Give a brief summary and link to a page with more details if available, you'll want to keep this short but provide more details elsewhere if the applicant is interested. If you post it all on your recruitment thread, some people may not read it all. If you are offering your skills, you can list what types of projects you have interest in.
• Skills Wanted/Offering: What are you looking for in applicants? Do you want someone who can write a script, draw art, compose music, or program code? If you're offering skills, what can you do?
• Portfolio: What have you done previously before? People like to know you have a history of completed works. They do not have to be games if you haven't finished one before, just samples to show your skills. If you're a writer, attach a snippet of your writing; artists can display their artwork; composers share some of their songs; programmers state their coding abilities.
• Budget/Price Rates: If you're paying someone, how much money do you have? How much are you willing to pay per piece (or by hour), and are you open to negotiation? If you're offering your skills for money, how much is your work? If the buyer orders in bulk, do you offer discounts? Both situations would need a payment method (Paypal, etc.) and the type of currency payments are made in. If you are not hiring/working for pay, you can do a skill trade or simply work for your own enjoyment.
• Preferences: If you're looking for applicants, are you looking for a certain quality? If you're offering a skill, is there something you enjoy doing more or have experience in? For example, you may be able to draw sprites but aren't skilled at backgrounds or CGs.
• Joining a Team or a Project: Are you asking for people to join your team for the long run or do you just want someone to work with for one project?
• Extra Notes: Anything you might want to let others know? Mention your schedule, how fast you work, timezones, anything that might be relevant to your post.

Details may be added depending on your needs, but these are important components that will make a good recruitment post. This thread on LSF also contains suggestions for recruitment.

Written by CheeryMoya.