This article
offers information for models, actresses, actors, and lots of other
talents out there (like belly dancers,
fire performers, wrestlers, you name
it!), although the focus is on modeling and the Internet. If
you've read the BrianX Magazine article on the explosion
in the modeling industry,
then, you're ready to begin!
Information
The first step in the process of promoting yourself is to be sure
of
what you want and expect. Make a list of your experience by area: Runway, casual, swimwear,
bikini, lingerie, nude, non-nude, internet modeling, high fashion, athletics,
sports, glamour, artistic, bondage, domination, artistic nude, erotic,
and so on.
Then make a list of your interests for future modeling gigs. This list
might include special skills and training such as acting, theatre and stage, film, TV, dancing, advertising, magazine,
nude, non-nude.
Next,
list photographers that you have worked with (if any), your vital
stats including measurements, dress size, weight, height, hair
color, hair length (short, medium, long), eye color, shoe size,
age, and a biography. When you
add pictures to this package you've assembled, you've got your
portfolio and you're ready to go!
Pictures
You
need professional-looking pictures if you are going to get
anywhere. If you're new to the industry, you should consider
TFP.
TFP
means Time For Pictures/Prints/Photos. How this works: Get in touch with a
photographer (you can try finding them on craigslist
or message boards - read below for more info),
and check out some of the work they have done. If you like it,
contact them and tell them that you are interested in them
taking professional-looking shots of you for copies (digital,
scanned, and/or hard print copies). This
benefits everyone because you get the pictures you need and the
photographer gets the practice.
Many
photographers will ask that you sign a contract
(sometimes called a 'release') regarding who owns the
rights to the pictures. Be
aware of what you are signing and make sure you have permission to use
the pictures as you want.
Some
contracts may require that any or all of the money you earn from selling
your pictures to a magazine for example, go to them, leaving you with
nothing. Then again, the likelihood that these actual pictures get
picked up by a magazine is low - but it is possible!
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...Getting a website really shows how serious
you are about your modeling career.... |
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Get
your own website
Getting a website really shows how serious you are about your modeling
career. If you really want to be taken seriously as a model, get tons of
fans, and so on, you should probably get a website.
The first step is to buy your domain name (yourname.com). Prices to buy your name for one year generally range from
about $10-35 depending on the
company you buy it from. If you want one for free, visit our low
cost web hosting page.
You
could try to make the site yourself but don't assume that people can't
tell the difference. It is obvious when a website is made professionally versus being
made by an amateur. It's the same as with photography - people know. If
you can, avoid free services such as geocities. They just look bad.
You
could get a quality web site made for you for a few hundred to a couple
thousand dollars, depending on what exactly you want to do with it. A
basic site is one thing but the fancier the site gets (with banners,
specialty items, stores, and so on) the more it will cost. Also,
just because you have a website, it doesn't mean anyone will find it.
Try to get a website built with search
engine optimization.
When you
hire someone to make a website, you must understand that you are paying
for a service. It takes a lot of the web developer's time to design and
build the site, not to mention the graphic design and constant
adjustment of photos. After the site is built, you will likely have to
pay for updates every once in a while. On the other hand, there are ways
to make your site pay for itself and make you a few extra bucks.
You
also have to pay a monthly fee for what's called "hosting". "Hosting" means that a company kind of holds your website in cyberspace.
The prices vary, generally ranging from $10-$25/month. Visit our lowcost
hosting page to get the best hosting deal on the Internet.
Online listings and webpages
If you don't have a website, some websites such as BrianX
Bikini & Glamour Models will make a free webpage for you. A webpage is a
one-page version of a website and can be a good start but is not
as useful. Once the webpage is
done, you get added to the free listings / directory.
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The largest site on the internet to get promoted is
OneModelPlace.com. I recommend putting an ad up here and be sure
to include your website address right from start since they
feature people for the first 1,000 hits to the webpage they give
you and then you just fall into their database of thousands of
models.
Place
an online ad
You
should also consider placing ads on classified listings around the 'net. Just
say that you're a model looking for work (paid or unpaid) and
experience. Be sure to include a link to your website or webpage and to
some sites that you may be featured on around the 'net so they can check
you out.
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| Playboy model Sazzy
Lee Varga has taken advantage of online listings. Aside from
being in BrianX Magazine, she's all over
the 'net! |
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Online
picture ratings and picture contests / competitions
The
BrianX.com Rate Pictures page
lists many websites that allow people to rate your picture. The trick is
to take some of your best pictures and write your website address on
them. Then upload them to these sites. When people see how great you
look and see your webpage or website, they'll go visit.
Also,
many websites have contests where they put your picture up against a few
others and then visitors vote on who is the hottest.
Message
boards
I would argue that guys from message boards of all sorts would click on
a link that advertised a young hot model. Find message boards and place
an ad! A great place to start is bbrent
which lists boards from around the world.
Fan
Clubs
If you look really hot (with or without digital enhancement), I
recommend that you create a fan club such as with yahoo. That way, word
of you grows. Check out what yahoo currently offers in terms of model,
actress, and other fan clubs! They call them yahoo groups.
Scouts
on the lookout
Even if you have done all of this, there is no guarantee that modeling
agencies will find you and/or be interested in you. Since so many people
send their portfolios by snail mail, they don't necessarily need to look
online to find more models. But, you never know. Besides, building an
online presence with lots of visitors to your website and members in
your fan club can help get some attention to yourself which may give you
some bragging rights when fighting for paid jobs.
Watch
out for scams
There are a LOT of scams out there. Be very careful about who you are
dealing with. Paying an entry fee for a new magazine is a total scam.
Why should YOU pay for their start-up costs?! Also, many 'agencies'
claim to be legit and smooth talk you into paying them because they
convince you that you are THE type of model the industry is looking for.
They may also claim that the biggest agencies come to their website to
scout for models. There are tons of scams that have been discussed in
detail on other sites.
"Is
that all?" - U2
Well, if I think of anything else and feel like adding to this page,
I'll let you know. I hope this article helps... good luck!
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