No matter how friendly we attempt to make the entire Build Guild experience, it still appears to be daunting to first-timers. I thought it might be high-time to write a bit about what you can expect at Build Guilds and how you can be awesome at them.
It’s pretty easy, I promise.
Get There Earlier Rather Than Later
On the order of how it happens: the first part is generally the most delicious — your first sip of beer for the evening, and maybe even some food. The middle part is typically the most interesting — you’ll chat with a bunch of folks and share stories about bad clients or great projects or whatever1. The end part is usually the funniest — a couple people may have had more drinks than they expected, Marc starts getting extra happy, etc.
This is the normal bell curve of activity at a Build Guild.
Conversation usually happens in small groups of people. This isn’t a rule, but seems to naturally happen. Some will bounce from group-to-group and others will stay in one spot the whole night. The more people at Build Guild, the more groups of people you’ll probably see. There will almost always be the most people (and therefore groups) at the middle part of the night.
When new folks walk in during that time, the groups tend to look like cliques. This isn’t true at all, but it can subconsciously weigh on your mind. There is nothing to be nervous about; I’ve never met an unfriendly person at Build Guild. Certainly go up to any group and introduce yourself.
However, if you want to avoid that pressure all together, get to Build Guild right when it starts (or even earlier). You probably won’t be the first one, and at that point, conversation is usually still in one group. It’ll be an easier transition, and even if you just introduce yourself and listen for a drink or two, you’ll quickly ease into the awesomeness.
Bring a Friend
All are welcome, always. That’s the rule, but for some reason we get asked by new folks if they can bring their friends. It’s probably something done out of politeness, but yes: always. Even non-web-interested people can come, though they may be a bit bored as conversation tends to stick around web topics.
Want to bring your significant other? Do it!
Tried to find a babysitter but none were available? Bring your kid! (You may want to ask if the bar your Build Guild is at will allow children. Not all do, and we can’t force them to do so.)
Look for the Chapter Leaders
The chapter leaders aren’t wearing anything to identify themselves, but they’re generally at most (if not all) of the events. A little pre-Build Guild research will tell you who is running your local Build Guild, or don’t hesitate to ask for these people by name. No matter who you ask, they should be able to point you in the right direction.
Smile, introduce yourself and say that you’re new (although they'll probably not recognize you and know that already). They’ll give you a run down of where to get what, what to do and how it works. They’ll probably also ask a bit about you: what you do, where you work, how long you’ve been making awesome web things, etc.
In the Salem location, Marc and I try to speak to all of the new people we see each month, but we also get caught up in our own geeky conversations and sometimes miss some folks. Again: don’t be scared.
Remember: We’re Just Like You
There is a stereotype that “computer nerds” are quiet introverts that are socially awkward. Yes, stereotypes are weird, but it’s hard not to see the truth in this. If you’re feeling quiet or nervous or awkward around folks you don’t know, remember: we’re just like you, and for the most part, we’re the exact same way.
You should know that there are two reasons we hold all Build Guilds at a bar:
- Beer is delicious.
- Alcohol is a great social lubricant.
If you can’t gather up the courage to chat with people, have a beer. It will come to you. By the end of your first beer, you’ll see and hear that these are people that do what you do, and possess the same passion you possess.
Also Remember: We’re All In This Together
Our industry’s current position is fantastic. Web workers from competing companies don’t really see each other as competitors; we know that we’re all in this thing together. We share what we know and show each other what we’re working on (when we’re legally allowed to do so, don’t want to freak out the AIGA).
I’ve had folks in other areas ask why that we’re like that. Why are we giving away our knowledge for free — whether it’s open-source code, advice, or tips and tricks? Maybe it’s because we all believe that there is strength in numbers, and that right now there is so much to make on the web that we’ll never have enough people to do it all.
The folks at Build Guilds are no different. They love doing what they do, and love seeing others succeed as much as they want to succeed themselves.
Bring a Business Card
Build Guilds are best used as a once-per-month prescription for the stresses that come with making the web fantastic. However a Build Guild’s greatest strength is in all of the moments that we’re not at the bar.
A lot of our attendees are on Facebook and Twitter and tend to check these sites throughout the course of each day. After meeting face-to-face, people are more likely to help you out, and the Build Guild community is no different. I’m a part of it, and I see it every day.
That said, people want to connect with you, but sometimes beer can do strange things to you after you’re a couple deep so bring a business card and don’t be afraid to hand them out. Ask people for their business cards, and if they don’t have them, use the back of one of yours to get their Twitter name.
Connect with these people the next day on Twitter, and be sure to follow your local Build Guild’s Twitter account. Good things will happen.
Most Importantly: Be Yourself
I mentioned earlier about some people bouncing from group-to-group while others will sit in the same area all night. We encourage you to do whatever comes naturally and feels right. See someone in another group that you really want to talk to? Uninterested in the current topic of conversation? Excuse yourself and go chat with someone else! Build Guilders aren’t likely to be offended by such things.
We see all kinds of people come to Build Guilds, and we love it. There are people you can learn from, people looking for jobs, and people that are looking for people looking for jobs. There are people that really like beer, and people that are too young to drink beer but are already making waves on the web. There are people that are experienced veterans of Build Guild and people who are there for their first time (like you).
If there’s a Build Guild in your area, grab your business cards and go say hello.
You won’t regret it.
