What I learned from browsing IHAI in 30 mins
If you haven’t already done so yet, head over to ihaveanidea.org already! I know that there’s an insane amount of articles, ads, and information on that site, but they are all worth reading! To prove this, I’ve decided to visit the site and gave myself 3o mins to take notes (kind of like sitting in a class lecture, except without the boredom). If I can learn this much in half-an-hour, imagine what other beneficial tips you can find by spending a little more time? Also, this is just what I gathered from the the Articles section - there’s plenty more in the forum.
- Know the industry. Read publications, books, magazines. Visit the websites of ad agencies and look at their work.
- Familiarize yourself with campaigns. You can start with Volkswagen.
- When you’re just starting out, just stick to print ads.
- Use your resume to showcase your creativity. But make sure its easy to read/skim through.
- Network, network, network! Cold-call, ask for an interview, ask for a referral.
- Keep things simple. Avoid creating ads that are overdone and that have too much going on. Simplicity wins hands down.
- Don’t fantasize about skipping steps and getting your dream job in a snap. Everyone starts at the bottom if they wanna get to the top and this could take a while. Step #1: work your butt off on that portfolio. Step #2: start as a junior. Step#3: keep working your butt off.
- There are more people applying for jobs than there are jobs waiting to be filled.
- Be yourself and don’t act like what you think creatives are supposed to act like. They can sniff out phony personalities.
- Keep moving. You’ll never know when the next opportunity will pop up.
- There IS an unglamourous side of advertising. Nothing’s perfect. But it could still be a great place to be in if you make it that way.
- Look at the yellow pages for possible products/services you can create ads for to add in your portfolio.
- Examine those direct mail brochures/flyers and the ads in the back of tabloid magazines. You’ll probably start off working on those as a junior. If you can sell those, it could be easier selling other things.
- Avoid all attempts on creating ads for big companies like Nike, Volkswagen, and Apple. It’s better to focus your time and energy on others.
- The glass ceiling is present in the ad industry. I guess it gives us females more of a reason to step it up and show everyone what we’re capable of.
- Juniors get little pay and little say. Just because you’re in, it doesn’t mean the hard work needs to stop. If anything, it means that you need to prove to everyone that they made the right choice of hiring you.
- Once you’re in, do everything you can to help out. People will appreciate it and you’ll learn a lot while you’re doing it.
- If the agency life isn’t for you, you can also freelance. There are successful freelance art directors and copywriters out there.
- Don’t be a pain-in-the-ass and assume you know it all. You’re in, be grateful - now start working.
- Be patient. It’s a waiting game.
- There’s thousands of people in the same boat, competing for the same job. Just be persistent and don’t give up.
