I want to talk a little about the importance of promoting
yourself as a model. Day after day I’m asked: “How do I get people to notice
me?” In my opinion there are 3 major ways. #1 a professionally printed compcard,
#2 a creatively designed website with bio and portfolio, #3 get signed with a
good agency.
There are plenty of scammers out there that will charge you an arm and a leg for compcards. DO NOT pay an outrageous amount for this must have item. If you’ve been modeling for a while, you should have several different photos with several different looks. This is important, make sure your compcard shows all you can be. What we prefer is your best photo on the front and 4 to 6 DIFFERENT photos on the back. Remember, a compcard is a Composite Card. It’s a model’s business card, so you want to make sure it’s your best of the best work. The official size is 8.5” Tall by 5.5” Wide. You’re not a graphic artist you say! Well, find one. Ask your friends, or get one from Craigslist, there are tons of people who know how to use Photoshop and any of them can create the card for you. Once your super-fantastic compcard is complete, you need to print multiple copies. Again, DO NOT pay $500 plus to have some “agency” make you a few copies. The cheapest quick way, is to run down to your local Kinkos/FedEX and print out a few double sided copies (very important). This is a great, quick fix if you just ran out or need a few to hand out quickly. Make sure it’s done on a cardstock too. For more than 10 copies you’ll want to find a good printing company. If you’re doing things digitally, then using an online service like Vista Print is awesome. They will be able to print several hundred to several thousand, depending on your needs. This is a cheap and fairly quick way to get quality compcards for your promotion. Check out some compcards we created for our some of our models (Kathi, Leslie).
The next way to be seen, is by having a website. This will be
your interactive compcard. On your site, you will be able to post all the photos
your heart desires and way more information about yourself than can be on a compcard.
Remember, a compcard is 8.5” x 5.5”, that’s fairly big to fit in even the most
gotti-sized purses. You’re probably not gonna have copies on the go. So make
youself a simple business card, preferably with your picture on it and of course your
web link. (You can get those cheap at the link mentioned above too) Websites
are really expensive you say! This can be true, but again, ask around find a student
coming out of art school or possibly a friend to help you out. There are ways
to get the price down from mainstream design companies. Another free way, with
a little web knowledge, is Wix.com. This website will aid you in customizing a
template to your needs. Great look for no cash and a little time. Check it out.
Here are two websites from our favorite models, designed by us of course (Kathi, Leslie)
For the last tip we’ll talk about finding an agency. This can be your most difficult task. There are TONS of scammers out there and they are waiting for your blank check! Here is the best thing anyone will ever tell you: REAL AGENCIES PAY YOU! If ANY agency asks you for money upfront, they’re not worth your time. Here’s the way it really works: You submit your compcard and a short bio to your local or national agency, they review it and determine whether they can build a professional relationship with you, if accepted you sign a payment agreement, then they find you work, you show, they pay you… There is NO OTHER WAY. All these radio “Be seen on Disney”, “Found models featured in Elle Magazine”. BS BS BS BS BS BS! Stay away. Follow the steps I told you before, and find a reputable agency in your area. Submit your info, and get casting information. Most agencies are not exclusive, so you will be able to sign with more than one. The more exposure you receive, the more chances you have to be seen. Of course, that’s the point now isn’t it?!?
Good luck everyone! The way I should have started this post was by saying, make sure this is what you want. It’s a job, your body is your product. Take care of yourself inside and out. DO NOT let ANYONE take advantage of you or your career. Spread the word and spread the love...
