If you want to become a model, there are two main routes to getting work. One is to sign with an agency, and the other is to go freelance. There are advantages and disadvantages of both, and in this article we’ll take a look at how you can promote yourself in order to get signed with an agency and then become one of their leading models and also how you can go it alone as an independent.

Promote yourself as an agency model

If you’re going to be an agency model, the first thing you have to do is get signed. Start by researching a few different agencies, reading about the companies, what sort of models they take on their books, and studying their guidelines for submission. It’s important to choose which agencies to submit to carefully to give yourself the best chance of success.

If you’re lucky enough to get invited for an interview, then go with a professional attitude and just be honest and try to stay relaxed.

Once you get signed, there’s a lot you can do to help your modelling agency promote you and the more you play a part, the greater your chances of success. Treat every casting and modelling job like a networking experience, try to talk to the right people and be helpful and friendly to everyone but don’t overdo it or come across as desperate.

You can also take a personal interest in your portfolio and the business side, learning what you need to know to make it as easy as possible for your agent to work with you – meaning they are more likely to put you forward for castings more often.

Promote yourself as a freelance model

Self-promotion is even more important if you’re going to be a freelance model. Elements of your marketing plan should include your portfolio, a website, your Comp card, and networking.

The portfolio is the centre of a model’s assets and assists him or her in getting work. It should have a good variety of great quality pictures, showing the versatility and experience of the model. The more work the model has had, the larger, and therefore more persuasive the portfolio will be. E-portfolio’s and micro-sites are the latest way aspiring models can promote themselves using the internet. These days many clients will expect to see an online portfolio as well, in the form of a website with portfolio pictures and details of the model’s stats, experience and availability. These websites can also be linked to the models social media profiles to maximise their online exposure.

Offline, a comp card is basically a business card with a selection of the best images, plus the model’s basic statistics and contact details. On top of this, you can really boost your career by getting out there in front of the right people and making contact in the industry, who will then recommend you by word of mouth.