DELIVERING ON
WHAT YOU PROMISE
Modding can be hard and, at times,
the pressure is relentless. So you
put the idea to the manufacturer,
they loved it and want to support
the build. The free stuff is on its
way and then, for whatever reason,
life gets in the way, you lose heart
in the project. Whatever the issue
is, you have to deliver. Remember
these companies get literally
thousands of emails a day asking
the same questions and proposing
the same things. They picked you,
put their faith in your abilities, and
now the responsibility lies on your
shoulders to deliver.
Getting that first sponsor is as
important as the sixth, tenth, or
however many it ends up being, so
build that relationship and keep it
up. They are investing in you, both
financially through the costs to
them for the parts and shipping and
also on a moral footing.
If there’s a delay, an unseen
issue, let them know as soon as
possible what the issue is, how it
can be rectified and when it will
be resolved. Communication is key
and the more you deliver on what
you promise, the more chance
there is that the relationship will
continue. Why not go one step
further and support them as much
as they are supporting you? A $1 50
case from a manufacturer worth
millions might not seem like a big
deal, but multiply that across all
the other avenues manufacturers
explore, modders, tech journo
reviews, events, giveaways, it all
adds up, more often, to more than
you might think in terms of outlay.
GOOD LUCK
So there you have it, how to start
in the world of being a modder.
While this isn’t all, it’s enough to
get you on the right track, and to
some extent, it’s how I started too.
I’ve had my share of luck, but that
was backed up by a lot of hard work
and it’s because of that I’m writing
this article. Modding has taken
me on a great journey so far and
it has opened up some fantastic
COMMISSIONS
For some, this is
the pinnacle of
modding. That
email drops in
from a global
player, the one
company you love
more than any
other, and they
want you to build
them a PC.
They have
seen your work,
your posts, and
your sponsored
builds, and now
want you to create
something special.
Personally, I’ve
been there, and
it was only at
this point that I
finally felt I had
made it, and could
justify the time,
commitment and
perseverance.
Heard that bit
before? It makes
more sense now
than it did at the
beginning, right?
I also asked,
where do you
want to be in five
years’ time? This
is what I wanted
to achieve and
well, I made this in
fewer than three,
but mileage does
vary and luck
plays a massive
part. I had a
request to build
a system for MSI;
they were gifting
a build to a well-
known Minecraft
influencer and
wanted me
to build them
something, in
exchange for
some hardware, I
could use for my
own builds.
The client in
question had over
8 million YouTube
subscribers, so
the pressure
was on. Looking
ahead, I could see
that this build and
potential exposure
would help me
again for the
future, especially
with the hardware
they wanted to
send out.
Roll on six
months and there
was an email
from Intel, this
time wanting to
pay me to build
them a system!
They had seen the
build I did for the
influencer, two
days after that I
got another email,
ASUS wanted me
to build them a
system too. All of
a sudden, I was in
demand.
For the next
few months, all
my personal work
went on hold, I
had to explain
to my sponsors
and again
communication
is key. These
commissions were
a priority, but that
didn’t mean I could
negate my other
responsibilities.
Luckily, they
were pleased for
me. It showed
that the faith they
put in me was
paying off in the
fact that these
other brands
now wanted to
work with me,
based on what
they had seen
from my work
with sponsors. It
all ties together,
eventually, and it’s
all worthwhile.
opportunities. I never expected to
be writing for a magazine, let alone
giving advice on modding.
I have one final piece of advice.
Enjoy it. Once the fun dissipates
and it becomes a chore, it’s time for
a break, no matter how good you
are or how many builds you have
lined up. Come back fresh-faced
when the time is right, your work
will reflect the results of taking
a breather. So now, go my little
budding builders, cut up that case,
mount that radiator where you
want to, go with the rainbow RGB,
hell, go with no RGB if you like! It’s
your build, it’s your rules. Don’t
follow trends, set new ones, and
remember, if anyone asks “Why?”
Simply reply, “Because I can”.
Start with
components
that you can
easily show off
HOL 2021 MAXIMUMPC 33
©^
MO
D^8
3 .C
OM
