| How to Promote Yourself as a Freelance ModelIf | | | | commercial, fashion shows, catalog, promotional, |
| you would rather promote yourself ...Some | | | | etc.) |
| models would rather promote themselves instead | | | | No need to feel overwhelmed with the details of |
| of listing through an agency. Nothing wrong with | | | | getting your comp card ready. There are many |
| this but it does require more work on your part.If | | | | companies online such as who have versions and |
| you are signed with an agency, they promote the | | | | templates online which will help you every step of |
| business, they talk to the clients in your behalf, | | | | the way.Remember too that there are many |
| they set up the shooting dates, they take the | | | | different versions of comp cards so it's all a |
| heat if you don't make it to the session, etc.But, | | | | matter of personal preference as to which style |
| there are many models who are "loners" in the | | | | you choose.C) Modeling Websites - When it |
| pool of modeling and want complete control over | | | | comes to websites, I could probably write |
| who they work with and why.If you are one of | | | | complete chapters on the subject but I will try as |
| these models, read on ...There are several ways | | | | best I can to simplify this part.Your website - Paid |
| to promote yourself. I will try to mention some | | | | or Free?Should you pay to have your own |
| ways for you to promote your modeling talent | | | | website created or go with one of the free web |
| and a step by step format to follow.First things | | | | listing services online? Your choice in the type of |
| first ..In self promotion, the first step to take is | | | | web promotion you do depends upon your level |
| putting together a professional portfolio.Once | | | | of experience and the amount of budget you |
| you've followed the portfolio guidelines from | | | | have to work with.If you are, in actuallity, an |
| above, it's a good idea to have comp cards and | | | | eccentric millionaire and are just pursuing modeling |
| business cards made.A) Business Cards - Your | | | | out of boredom, by all means hire a professional |
| business card should have as much information on | | | | web designer and start from scratch to build a |
| it as possible. It's not expensive to have extra | | | | website that other models will be in awe of! But, |
| words listed and this way you can include things | | | | even if you go this route, there's the promotional |
| other than the name and phone number.For best | | | | costs and time to think about; time that could be |
| results and at just a little extra cost, I would | | | | better used to improve your modeling abilities and |
| suggest putting your photo (preferably a | | | | make contacts with clients who need you for |
| headshot) on the card. People don't tend to throw | | | | their photo projects.I personally feel that it's |
| away photos as quickly as they do just cards. | | | | better to start but using a few of the online |
| Below the photo (or on your card if you choose | | | | services (paid and free) to get your name out |
| not to include the photo) you should list ..Your | | | | there. You can do a search and find many listing |
| name, contact phone number, email and don't | | | | places but two sites that seem to have lots of |
| forget to put your web address on the card | | | | buzz at the time of this writing are ..One Model |
| You may want to also include in bulleted form | | | | Place & Model MayhemBoth of these sites offer a |
| your attributes (i.e. height and weight), special skills | | | | basic free package or a paid premium package. |
| and the type of modeling you specialize in (your | | | | Either way, this is a less expensive way to get |
| modeling strength area)B) Composite Cards - | | | | your feet wet and find out if you've got a look |
| You'll definitely want to get composite cards | | | | which is in |
| (comp cards) made to hand out to possible clients | | | | -----------------------A word of warning about putting |
| / agents and to leave with clients or | | | | your model photos onlineRemember to stay safe |
| photographers you work with. A comp card is | | | | when placing your photos online. Don't provide too |
| one of the least expensive pieces of printed | | | | much personal information about yourself or |
| promotional material but packs a big punch in | | | | location untill you've thoroughly checked out the |
| saying, "I'm a professional model".Here is a basic | | | | person who is contacting you.If you are under 18 |
| layout of a comp card ..Front - Photo covering the | | | | years of age, put your parents' email address in |
| front of the card (I suggest a good, strong | | | | the contact section and have them deal with any |
| headshot here) along with your name in bold | | | | incoming offers.Never, Never meet a |
| letters.Back - From four to six photos showing | | | | photographer or potential client alone. Take a |
| different looks (indoor and outdoor) in a variety | | | | parent or friend (preferably male) with you untill |
| of outfits with at least one good body shot | | | | you are completely satisfied that you're in a safe |
| (swimwear or tight-fitting clothing).The back of | | | | environment. I cannot stress this |
| the card will list important information about you | | | | ----------------------There are other ways to |
| and your stats including ...Contact information | | | | promote yourself on or off the Internet such as |
| (Who to contact, phone, email, web address, etc.) | | | | contacting local upscale clothing or department |
| | | | stores for fashion shows or catalog work, jewelry |
| Height | | | | stores if you offer hand modeling, hair salons, |
| Weight | | | | etc.This is your starting point in becoming a real |
| Bust size / cup size | | | | model. See if you can come up with more |
| Waist size | | | | creative ways to promote yourself as a |
| Hip size | | | | professional model.Remember, you can have the |
| Dress size | | | | most awsome beauty & talent in the world but if |
| Shoe size | | | | nobody knows where to find you ... It'll all be in |
| Hair color | | | | vain! So, get off your backside and go to |
| Hair length (short, shoulder length, long) | | | | work!!Bob Pardue is a professional fashion model |
| Eye color | | | | & teen lifestyle stock photographer. His work has |
| Type(s) of modeling jobs preferred (i.e. | | | | been published worldwide. |