6 Things I’ve Learnt From My First Year as VALORANT Esports Broadcast Talent

In a new series of guest articles written by different members of the British Esports team, Billie Purdie writes about juggling work as the British Esports Project Development Lead, leading the Women in Esports initiative and working on VALORANT broadcasts.

The majority of my day-to-day role includes working on British Esports’ projects, pilots and initiatives as part of the Operations Team. The work I am most proud of at Women in Esports has been implementing and delivering both the Lioness Cup and the Be The Change Summit.

Outside of that, I have found myself in an incredibly fortunate position to be able to juggle freelance broadcast work (working primarily as a VALORANT analyst or caster) alongside my full-time role at British Esports. It can be incredibly rewarding, but there are also challenges I have had to overcome. With that, I present the 6 things I have learnt from my first year in broadcast as on-air talent.

Self-Doubt Is the Devil

It is so important to be kind to yourself. When you are on-air talent it is very easy to get in your head about little things and become self-critical due to being in front of the camera. I am a fairly confident person, and it still affects me from time to time. 

I remember before my VCL North: Polaris debut, I lay in bed that morning and just uncontrollably cried. I felt undeserving, and that the jump from the women’s scene to the mixed scene was going to be too much. I was majorly lacking confidence, despite being in London for an international Game Changers event (Red Bull Instalock) only a couple of months prior.

A piece of advice that Yinsu gave me after that event was, “if they are reaching out to you, they already want to work with you”.

I couldn’t see what my friends could see in me. Truth be told, if it was not for those that I am closest to pushing me through it, I could have decided it wasn’t for me anymore.

been harddd keeping this one hush hush, but london this weekend!! pinch me 😆💓 https://t.co/R76GrSAFEg

— billie ☾ (@billieeidk) April 16, 2024

Anything Is Possible When You Have the Right People Supporting You

Having a good group of friends, getting to know more people in the industry, and supporting others in their successes: these are all ingredients for a good start, no matter what area of esports you choose to pursue. 

It is fundamental to surround yourself with people who inspire you. There are certain things my closest friends possess, whether that be their traits, their habits, or their all-round aura that I aspire to be too. 

When I am with them, any negative thought or feeling dissipates, as they just radiate positivity. 

Comparison Is the Thief of Joy

Broadcast can be cutthroat, and when you do get to know others in this space, I have found the need to understand that there is an element of competitiveness that can come from within people, which can be quite difficult to cope with.

However, I believe we need to learn to uplift others, instead of viewing someone else’s success as a green-eyed monster.

In times where I have ever felt that element of jealousy creeping in, I have found it is important during this time to focus on my own craft, and continue being a nice person to work with.

My parents always say, “what is for you, will not go by you”, which helps me reframe my mindset to being, “perhaps it’s just not the right gig for you!”

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Having clear goals has helped me stay on track to achieve what I want from being in broadcast. Those goals might be working a specific event, working a LAN, working alongside a specific member of talent in the community, or just feeling like I have delivered a good show.

Asking questions to help achieve goals, asking for feedback from the people I work with, and not being afraid to overcome challenges (or what I may perceive as failure) have all been instrumental in getting to where I am so far.

There will be days where I perhaps feel as though I have messed up, or it has not been my best work, but those days are not worth pondering on, as progress is not always linear. Learn from it and GG, go next.

If You’re Not Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone, Then You’re Not Growing

I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel, work on LAN, and even attend international events. Being at VCT Masters Madrid this year was a great opportunity to put myself out there.

Anyone looking to get into broadcast, I encourage you to introduce yourself to other people in the industry (in an appropriate way of course). Keep it classy, but be sure to push yourself into doing things that you know make you a little anxious in the beginning. I promise you will feel like it was worth it afterwards.

i’ve had such a fun month 💫

casting groups, and doing analyst desk for both lower and grand finals for #VCTGameChangersEMEA

attending #VALORANTMasters in Madrid with my bros

being on stage yet again for @IGFestUK VALORANT women’s cup 😋

more to come soon… pic.twitter.com/P65wEhGeuq

— billie ☾ (@billieeidk) March 31, 2024

Work Doesn’t Start or Finish on Air

Lastly, arguably one of the most important elements of broadcast – PREP!

I mention networking with others in broadcast whilst off-air, but I also encourage engaging with the audience via socials, sharing thoughts on players and match-ups. Most importantly, know your stuff. If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail (another quote repeated from the parents that has clearly stuck with me). 

The viewers will be able to see right through you if you have not done your prep.

Conclusion: Three Takeaways

• Sometimes we get lost chasing and working towards the things we would like to achieve in the future, that we forget to appreciate just how far we have come. 
• Your job and goal is to tell the stories of the players, not to solely grow your own brand. If you are interested in joining broadcast for yourself and not because you are passionate about the game, then you are in it for the wrong reasons in my opinion.
• Find balance, with the uncertainty of esports it is important to find fulfillment and enjoyment in other aspects of your life outside of ‘making it’.

Stay up to date and follow Billie Purdie on socials here.

Join the Women in Esports Discord and find out more about the Be The Change Summit 2024.