Quick Guide to Partner Searching

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✎Quick Guide to Partner Searching

So, you're looking to open up a shop, but don't want to strike out on your own? Perhaps you're new to the AH, and don't know enough people to start a partner shop -- opening up a partner search thread may be just what you need to get your legs under you.

✎ Questions to Ask

 

Before you open up your thread, work out for yourself what you wish to accomplish. Here's a list of questions which might help you get started:

1. What kind of shop are you looking to open? Is it a partner shop, a collaboration, or both?
2. How many partners are you looking for?
3. What kind of skill level do you expect a potential partner to have?  
4. How do you prefer to get in contact with your partner?
5. When will you be selecting a partner? 

That's obviously just a start -- you know best what you're looking for. The thing to remember is to let your applicants know! 

 

Once you've decided who and what you're looking for in a potential partner, it's a good idea to decide how applicants may apply. Do you want them to fill out a form? Just post some examples?    An application form is a great way to maybe get to know a few things about your applicants. It's also a great idea to fill the form out yourself, so that your applicants can get to know you! To create an effective form all you really need to do is compile the information you've already decided you need to know, and voila. The rest is up to your applicants!

✎ Example Applications

Here are a couple examples of pretty basic application forms, if you're not sure how to go about setting one up.   Seeking a Partner Example:  What's your name? What do you prefer to be called? What timezone do you live in? How active are you in the forums? Do you have any theme ideas? Share a few examples of your work? What's the best way that I can get a hold of you?   Seeking a Collaboration Example:  What's your name? What do you prefer to be called? What timezone do you live in? How active are you in the forums? What editing programs do you use? Share a few examples of your work? What are your favorite parts of an avatar to edit? What are your least favorite parts of an avatar to edit?  What's the best way for us to share files?   There are many other options that are important to consider when opening a shop with one or more people. It might be worth scooting your way through the partnerships that are already set up in the art forums, just to get an idea of how they work.   Do you want to set up a shop with a theme? Who's going to put together your graphics? Work through these things before you get set up, so that everyone's aware of the level of commitment and involvement you're expecting.

✎ Extra Information

Finally, be respectful of one another. If your partner's busy with RL things and can't be around as much as you'd like, don't get upset with them. Similarly, if you know you're going to be too busy to keep track of your shop, let your partner know beforehand. As always, if you have any issues with customers, or ever with each other, try to deal with it privately, and if something gets out of hand please feel free to contact a moderator, and we'll do our best to work out a solution.   If you have any questions, feel free to shoot any of the Staff Members a PM. If we can't immediately answer your question we can definitely direct you to someone who can.