This information courtesy of Net Model Mgmt. - 631-673-0200 -http://www.netmodelmgmt.com
Here are some more tips we thought you might find useful on how to proceed with your modeling career.
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED
Modeling is a business in which you are self employed. No one writes you a weekly paycheck and you pay your own expenses. The idea is for you to make money working for both agencies and clients. Making more money than what you spend when you start out is not going to happen, so you need some capital to get started. One step to success in any new business is to develop a business plan.
BUSINESS PLAN
A business plan is simply writing down what you want to do with your business. Make some short term goals and some realistic long term goals. Write down what your startup costs are going to be and what you expect to pay out in monthly expenses of marketing, transportation, photographs, postage, materials, education...etc. Next, you need to estimate what your revenue source will provide and write that down. I can't stress how important it is for you to do this before you spend any money on your business. Return to your business plan at least weekly to review and revise it based on what you have experenced during that week. It will save you a lot of money. I like to think of my business plan as an on going business journal.
LEARN ABOUT THE BUSINESS
Education is also extremely important. There are dozens of books available on getting started in modeling, and you can probably find most of the good ones at your public library and/or bookstore. Don't forget that there is plenty of information online at modeling web sites and through newsletters. An excellent book online about the modeling business that we recomend is The Modeling Guide. Another source of information about modeling are other models and photographers who are working in your area. Ask and listen to what they say, then after making common sense decisions about what is good or bad information, incorporate what you learn into your business plan.
Another good source of information and support is family. Discuss with your family what you want to do and your business plan. Sometimes we get too involved and don't see obvious things that someone close to us can point out. Believe me, families are very important sources of information when it comes to common sense decisions. I don't know what your particular situation is, but usually the family is going to have direct input with financing and transportation, and they need to know where their effort and money is going. Explain to them that this is your dream and desire and that you welcome their support.
MODELING AGENCIES
Since your revenue is going to come from individual jobs, you need someone to find those jobs for you. That is the role of the modeling agency or manager. Clients contact agencies looking for models and agencies refer the models who have signed with the agency to represent them. Make sure you understand the agency is working for you and you are paying the agency a commission to find you jobs. If an agency does not send you jobs, it is your responsibility to find out why and to take action to correct the situation with the agency or find another one. Don't just sit home waiting for the phone to ring. Take a more active interest in your career. I strongly recommend that you have more than one agency represent you. Not all clients use the same agency, so it makes sense that the more representation you have the more opportunities you will have to get jobs.
MARKET YOURSELF
Marketing Plan. Since modeling agencies are going to be your primary link to jobs, you need to market yourself to them. Most agencies will not accept appointments from models unless they send pictures with an introductory letter requesting an appointment. In some instances the pictures can be snapshots, but it's probably a good idea to put your best foot forward and have a photographer take some pictures and display them in an composite card or a head shot.
Modeling agencies are generally busy places, so you want to make it as easy as possible for them to respond to you. A postage paid mail back response post card is an excellent tool to accomplish this. Once the agency has looked at your pictures all they have to do is make a check mark and put the card in the mail. Keep in touch with your agencies. Let them know you are available and eager to work.
It is not a good idea to try to get jobs that are more than a two hour drive from your home. It usually isn't profitable, and unless the job could lead to something better, you always want to think of making a profit. Knowing this, you want to select agencies that are in your area and are going to fit into your business plan.
We recommend that models market themselves to modeling agencies as follows:
1. Get good pictures and make up a basic composite card or head shot.
2. Obtain addresses and phone numbers of modeling agencies within a two hour drive of your home.
3. Prepare an introductory letter and a return reply postcard to mail to the agencies.
4. Mail the composite card, introductory letter, and return reply postcard to the agency addresses.
5. Follow up with a phone call or photo post card reminder to those who don't respond within 10 days.
Remember, agents and managers are busy people, so do not "bug" them with excessive calls.
AVOIDING MODELING SCAMS
As with any industry, there are people and companies that will try to take advantage of inexperienced models. Hopefully you can learn beforehand how to avoid becoming a victim. Sooner or later you will likely run across the bad business side of the modeling industry. These are individuals, companies and some agencies that sell unnecessary and expensive services or use untraditional and unproven marketing techniques to promote their models. The most common ones are:
1. Modeling classes and development centers
2. Over priced and unprofessional pictures or portfolios
3. Model and talent conventions
4. Fee based web sites that are not known or not used by industry professionals
5. Unusual photo services, such as having your picture sent on a disc or e-mailed unsolicited to hundreds of companies.
6. Paying to have your picture in a book or magazine that is sent unsolicited to agents, managers and casting directors.
Although this is just a brief overview of how to get started, we hope it gives you some idea on which direction to go. If you are just starting out there is much to learn. We are currently working on future tips and techniques newsletters which we will be sending out periodically. If you have any thoughts or ideas for future issues your comments are welcome.
Any comments or suggestions? Feed back is always welcome! Send your thoughts to info@netmodelmgmt.com Attn: Feed back
This newsletter is courtesy of Net Model Mgmt. Net Models has been in the modeling and talent management industry for over 22 years. No other local modeling company or agency has the history or reputation of Net Model Mgmt. If getting into the modeling or TV commercial industry is your dream or desire than Net Model management is where you want to be!
For more information on the modeling business check out ! http://www.startmodelingtoday.com
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To sign up with net model management click on this link http://www.netmodelmgmt.com/modelcontact.html
otherwise just call us between 11am and 7pm EST at 631-673-0200.
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