Has this ever happened to you: You’re checking your email and find a somewhat cryptic message from an address like “dragonjedi264@aol.com”. It’s a two sentence message which states that the sender likes your art/writing, then propositions a collaboration on a project, which is “right up your alley”, on which he/she has done some preproduction. The message is punctuated only by a first name. Friends, in the age of the internet, the contact for collaboration has never been easier. However, just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it should be done without some careful thought or good sense. If you have received a message like the one described above, you know what I mean. If you have written such an email, take note and be encouraged! 1) GET AN ADDRESS THAT IS JUST YOUR NAME First thing you want to do when contacting a potential collaborator starts before you write word one of your email. It is important to get an email that is made of your name, initials, or some permutation there of. If your name is extremely common, then you can get creative, but most people shouldn’t have much problem. “kyle.latino” was already taken when I was signing up for gmail, so I had to go with “latino.kyle”. 2) GIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF What you want do really do with this email is establish some level of confidence that you are going to behave like a professional, even if this is just a webcomic project that will provide no money. Information should include: first and last name, age, state of residence, current occupation. There’s no need for any narrative, or message of hope about your project rescuing you from your job as a parking garage night guard. And if you are a high schooler, just say so, the only time age will certainly work against you is if you are dishonest about it. 3) INCLUDE SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK If you are a writer and want to get someone to draw a script for you, then include at least part of that script in an ATTACHMENT on the first email. If you are an artist trying to draw for someone in-particular (I don’t know how often this actually happens) then include LINKS to your sequential work, or online portfolio. Don’t make this person have to respond, “well, I’ll need to see a script first”. Just give him a little taste of your best work, and you’ve given it a good shot. 4) PROOF READ I know I’m the last person who should say anything about his, but just take a few minutes to read you email aloud to see if there are any mistakes. I am almost a criminally terrible reader/proofreader, but that doesn’t mean I don’t try. This first email is all about not looking like a moron, so be sure you’re not writing something that isn’t fit to be sent to Strong Bad. OH and don’t forget about the B:DC June Challenge Agree, disagree? Questions, comments? Love poems, hate limericks? Want me to change the logo… again? Email: latino.kyle (at) gmail (dot) com. -Kyle Latino

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