Model Tips: How To Book Modeling Jobs Without A Modeling Agency

By modeling expert, casting director, art director, and photographer C. A. Passinault

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How you present yourself to a business which has a modeling job that you want to be considered for makes a big difference, and will be a part of determining if you will be invited to their go-see for the consideration of booking the model job.
We are surprised at how many "models" don't have a clue about contacting companies for go-see consideration. We have seen models E-Mail huge image files of unprofessional pictures, one-sentence introductions with poor formats, spelling, and grammar, and form letters. If you do this, don't be surprised if you rarely book any work. Models who do not take the time that it takes to learn how, and who do not pay attention to detail, should not be on the Independent Modeling web site and have absolutely no business attempting to book any modeling job. If you are not responsible or professional, let a modeling agency put up with you, and let the modeling agencies do all of your legwork for you, we do not want you making independent models look bad.
To maximize consideration and to be viewed as a professional independent model who inspires confidence, read the information on this page. Please note that this is provided for informational use only, and Independent Modeling makes no claims or guarantees as to the effectiveness of this information. Results may vary on a case by case basis, and if you attempt anything described in Independent Modeling you assume all risks and the outcomes of your actions. Use of the information on Independent Modeling waives us from any and all liability, risks, and claims of damages.

Posting for a solicited modeling job offer

1. Read the modeling job post carefully

Details are very important. We might even say that details are critical, because, let's face it, they really are. Find out what the job is, who is doing it, and what the specifics and the pay are. Compare it to our MODELING JOB RATE SHEET to make sure that the pay scale is industry-competitive. Pay attention to who, why, how, what, and where. Use these details in your cover letter, so that the person reading it realizes that you are not only professional, but that you took the time to get the details AND write to them, and only them. We cannot begin to tell you how many models send the Independent Modeling site silly, poorly written E-Mails wanting us to represent them and wanting to be considered for "our" modeling jobs. If they actually took the time to READ, they would understand that we are not a modeling and talent agency, we are not a photography company with jobs, AND that the jobs on our job board are from many DIFFERENT companies. Guess what happens to those E-Mails? We discard them. Trust us when we say that not doing your homework, and not showing that you have a clue about why you are contacting them, is a waste of time, and may even hurt you for future consideration of other modeling jobs, as they will remember who you are. The model MUST get all of their facts in order before taking any kind of action!

2. Write a cover letter

It is important not to send out a vague form letter. Don't let them feel that they were one of many recipients of the same letter, ESPECIALLY if they really were! Take the time to write a letter to them. Introduce yourself, be positive and let them know that you have a look that can benefit, or make their, project. Make sure you let them know in the cover letter, also known as a letter of introduction, about your experience which is relevant to their specific modeling job. Tell them what you like about the specific job offer and what you like about their company, and feel free to ask questions. After you sign the letter, add a signature footer with your name, telephone number, your PO Box, E-Mail address, and web site address. NEVER put your physical mailing address in a letter to someone who you don't know. Also, invest in a professional modeling web site designed specifically for you and your modeling career. NEVER use a Myspace profile or a portfolio networking profile as a "modeling web site", and there is no career investment required, and they look unprofessional. The more that it looks as if you invested time and money into your modeling career, the more professional you will look, and the more likely that they will take you seriously. Freebie Myspace profiles are common, and you want to look better than the other models who are trying to book the same modeling jobs as you are.

3. Assemble your introduction package

Your package will include a cover letter, your resume, and a composite card. If you are going to be E-Mailing them, do not send large pictures or image files! Use a digital version of your composite card, under 200K in size, or link to the location of the file on the Internet. Don't clog their E-Mail account! If you are inconsiderate and E-Mail them large files, they WILL delete your E-Mail without looking at it, and will not consider you at all. In this case, we wouldn't blame them. Make it a simple and quick matter to go over your material, and make it easy to consider you. If you are going to be mailing the package, make sure that your cover letter and resume is printed on professional resume paper.

4. Send your package

Send them your package. If you are E-Mailing them, request verification that they have received your material. Note that many companies get a lot of E-Mail from a lot of models, and that they might only be able to contact you if they wish to consider you for the go-see and a possible modeling job booking. This is another reason that you must be as professional as possible- you have to compete with a LOT of other models who may have your kind of look, and you want to set yourself apart from them and get noticed in the crowd of submissions!

5. Check back with them

Give them a week, or wait until a couple of days before the scheduled go-see if you know when it will be, and then check back with them. They might be busy, but you now have a reason to call them. Ask to speak to someone in charge of booking for jobs, the art director, or the person booking a specific job. Keep it short and polite, and verify that they got your information. If they are interested in you, they will either take the time to ask you a few questions, ask you to call back when they have more time to talk to you, or will offer you a go-see appointment.

If you are not considered for the modeling job go-see, or do not hear back from them, do not take it personally. Get ready to submit for the next modeling job go-see, and keep them in mind. DO NOT TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY. It might be as simple as you not having the look that they need. A "no" at least means that they took the time to consider you, and many "no"s may lead to future "yes"'s if you are professional and polite about it. If you are not professional and polite about it, you will burn a bridge, and your chances of book a modeling job with them in the future will be gone. If you get the chance to talk to them, ask why you were not considered. Most people will be honest with you, and you can use that feedback in a positive way by addressing and correcting any issues that might come up.

Generating leads through unsolicited contact

This is even harder than being considered for a solicited model job offer, simply because you cannot be sure if the company has a project in the works where they can utilize your look, and the company is not expecting to have a model contact them directly, although they are probably used to model agency bookers and ad agencies contacting them to see if they can send their information on models to them. Take a hint to how the bookers do unsolicited contacts, and do it this way. Speaking of advertising agencies, they are even better targets for a model to contact because they are always looking for models, and may welcome the chance of booking a professional model directly into one of their client projects. Believe it or not, many businesses that book models and have modeling jobs available have no love of going through modeling and talent agencies to obtain their models. They will consider independent models, providing that the model is a professional with experience, and who has obviously invested time and money into their modeling career, and especially since they can avoid paying the modeling agency fees. Independent models should charge normal, full modeling rates for modeling jobs if they do not go through a modeling and talent agency, as the company booking them into the modeling job is already saving money by not having to pay modeling agency fees. Independent Modeling does not mean discount modeling, or less-professional modeling. Get paid what you are worth, and what you would normally get paid if you were booked through a modeling and talent agency. Besides, you're better than the modeling agency models. You think for yourself, and find your own modeling jobs,in addition to the modeling job leads that you obtain from the many modeling agencies that you allow to represent you. Oh, and never, ever refer a modeling job lead to a modeling agency so that they can "handle it" and "negotiate it" on your behalf. You will be doing the work that their bookers are supposed to do, won't increase the odds of booking the modeling jobs, and will not make any additional pay for helping the modeling agency, who will instead forward the modeling job lead that you found to other models who they represent. Don't be a sucker. If you don't know what you are doing, and are not confident booking a modeling job on your own, no one will respect you, and you might even sell yourself short in the process.

WARNING: Modeling job scams are on the rise, because they effectively lure in models and aspiring models with the promise of paid modeling jobs. Beware of modeling jobs which are advertised on the radio, or in the paper, which claim to offer modeling jobs with major department store fashion shows, and with no experience necessary. We have never seen any of these turn out to be legitimate modeling job offers. Modeling and talent agencies are the only ones who can legally make money by referring models into modeling jobs, they have to be licensed, and we have never seen a legitimate modeling agency spend money like this to advertise modeling jobs. Additionally, in Florida, it is against the law for a licensed modeling agency to make money by offering modeling portfolio photography services, or by referring a model to a modeling portfolio photographer. It cost money to run those ads and to run those commercials, and you really have to ask yourself how they make their money back; if they keep running those commercials, you know that they are making money somehow. Additionally, no business in their right mind will EVER consider a model with no experience, regardless of who refers them, as they are too risky to work with. In most cases, these modeling job offers are modeling job scams who lure in models with the promises of modeling jobs which may or may not exist, and they turn around and sell the models modeling portfolio photography services, modeling conventions, and modeling schools which are overpriced, and ultimately worthless for any modeling career. Try to find out who is offering the modeling jobs, too, such as the so-called "major department stores". Better yet, call up the major department stores in your area and ask them if they work with the modeling company who is advertising the modeling jobs. Don't be surprised if the major department stores don't know who they are, or if they do, that they are angry because their modeling jobs are being used as bait to rip models off. If it is too good to be true, it usually is, and in this case, we have never seen am advertised modeling job turn out to be the real deal. So, the modeling consultation company or the modeling management company claims that, because you don't have experience, that you will have to buy their modeling portfolio photography services that they are selling and their other overpriced modeling services, such as instructional classes. So, what happened to the modeling jobs? They can't refer you until you have the proper portfolio? Since they have to be a licensed modeling agency in order to make money by referring you to the modeling jobs that they are advertising, and it is against the law for a legitimate modeling agency to make money by selling any modeling portfolio photography services or model development services, how are they able to follow-through on referring models to the modeling jobs that they were advertising? They can't sell services or make money from referring model to services if they are a modeling and talent agency, and they are not allowed to make money by referring models to modeling jobs if they are not a modeling agency and they make money by selling services. If they claim that their modeling portfolio photography services or other modeling services will give the models the tools and the "experience" that they need to book the modeling jobs that they are advertising, don't believe them! They obviously misled you to meet with them so that they could sell you modeling services, instead, and this is dishonest. Being a misleading, dishonest tactic, which is an illegal deceptive trade practice, how can you trust them? While it is not illegal to sell modeling portfolio photography and modeling development services, tricking models into being pitched those services by advertising modeling jobs, modeling jobs that they cannot legally make money referring models into, is. It makes them a modeling job scam, and they should avoided at all costs! So, they claim to "know of" modeling jobs that they can refer you to, that is, after you buy what they are selling, and they don't make money referring models to those advertised modeling jobs, and they know that they cannot do this because they are not a licensed modeling agency? Don't buy it! No one is going to work for free. After they sell you whatever it is that they are selling, they no longer have any incentive to follow-through on their promises on referring you to those modeling jobs. What do they do, do all the work of cold-calling businesses, which offer modeling jobs, like an agency booker when they can't make money that way? Oh, they will find modeling jobs and refer models to them out of the goodness of their hearts! Even if that were true, it is not good business to do all that work for free, and if they are not good at business, how can they help you with modeling? Besides, if this were true, and they really did refer models into modeling jobs without getting paid for doing so, they would freely do this regardless of whether the model buys modeling services from them or not, and this won't happen because those modeling jobs serve as bait! So, if the modeling jobs really do exist, how do they obtain their modeling job leads? They do it the same way that most independent models do. They go on an Internet search engine looking for modeling jobs, and then find the Independent Modeling modeling job board because we are at the top of those search results. They steal our modeling job information, and then use it as bait for their modeling job scam, without telling the models where they obtained the modeling job information, implying that the modeling job is working with them. Also, they will not reveal what the modeling jobs are until after model is tricked into buying their services. The model is then on their own with the job leads, and they are unhappy when they learn that the leads were stolen from a free modeling job board, and that they actually didn't have to buy any services to obtain those modeling job leads. DO NOT trust any modeling job source who steals from free modeling job web sites, and who then attempt to bait models with those modeling job leads, selling the information to them. This is a resell scam, and it is common with modeling job scams. If they steal from us, they are ripping us off and our exploiting the modeling jobs offered by the businesses who post modeling jobs on our modeling job board. If they rip us off, they will rip you off, too.

The Independent Modeling modeling job board and modeling job resource may have genuine modeling job leads, but this is not the reason that we set up the modeling job board. This is not the reason that we maintain it. The primary reason that we set up our modeling job board, and its primary purpose, its to combat and undermine modeling job scams! Flood the modeling industry with legitimate modeling job leads, and position the modeling job leads at teh top of search engines so most models know the true source of those modelng jobleads and that they are not obligated to buy anything to obtain those leads, and modeling job scams use bait which is no longer worth as much. As a matter of fact, it becomes Russian Roulette for the modeling job scam to use those well-known, free modeling job leads as bait, because they cannot tell if the model who they are pitching knows where they obtained it. If the model knows, and they pitch it, then their credibility is gone, because the model then knows that they are dishonest, and that they are a high risk for ripping them off, too. Of course, the modeling job scam could conceal exactly what the modeling job is until after they sell the model a modeling service, but that won't work too well, either, expecaily when most models will know that they can get good modeling job leads on Independent Modeling without any obligation to buy anything. There is no way that a modeling job scam playing the "hide the modeling job specifics" game can compete against a free source of plentiful modeling job leads.

Sure, there will be modeling agency bookers and modeling job scams who will use the Independent Modeling job boards as a source of leads, but we have measures in place to discourage that, also. We will be educating our modeling job sources on what to look for, and what to avoid, so that this practice will be disrupted, and integrity will be maintained in the process. Businesses who post modeling job leads on the Independent Modeling modeling job board will be encouraged to verify where the models learned about the modeling job. If it is a modeling job scam which was the source, the professional credibility of the model will be in question, and they won't be considered, because the model was stupid enough to fall for a modeling scam. If the model was told to say that it was"Independent Modeling", the modeling job scam just gave away the source that it stole the modeling job lead from and the model will then know. If the source is a modeling and talent agency, economics will come into play, and the business will know that they can save money by not going through an agency to find models. As you can see, it will be a very hard sell for those who attempt to take advantage of the Independent Modeling modeling job board. The checks and balances are in place, and they will discourage such tactics. Additionally, any modeling job scam who claims an affiliation with a business offering a modeling job lead misrepresents their relationship with the business and tarnishes the reputation of the business because they are using them to bait models in a modeling job scam. The modeling job scam opens themselves up to potential legal liability when they do this, and it becomes too risky. Our goal is to make it very difficult for these modeling job scams to operate, and it will be harder for them to do what they do because of us.

So, you want to find a modeling job lead on your own? Find out who requires models and who normally offers modeling jobs (all businesses who do their own print ad marketing, advertising agencies, and those local television commercials for local retail establishments, for example). The first thing the model needs to do is make every attempt to SOFT SELL the prospect. Here's how to do that:

A. INVESTIGATE

RESEARCH THEM. You need to know WHO you are dealing with and WHAT kind of work that they do. The more that you know, the better prepared you will be, and the greater the advantage you will have when you compose your cover letter. You can find out about a company by contacting customer service and requesting information, by studying their web site, but Googling the names of their main people or the Owner/ President/ CEO, or by reading publications in their business field. Above all else, find out the NAME and the JOB TITLE of the person who is in charge of marketing or who deals with model agency bookers and advertising agencies (if this isn't an advertising agency that you are preparing to contact).

B. CONTACT THEM TO CONVERSE AND ASK QUESTIONS

Call them on the phone or E-Mail them and establish a dialogue. You will need to introduce yourself and establish who you are with the right person, but the first person that you talk to may be a receptionist who may be put out by an avalanche of information when they cannot or may not be in a position to assist you with. If you don't already know who you need to talk to by your research, ask to speak to the person in charge of marketing OR the company person who normally works with model agencies. If asked any questions, just be friendly and ask to be connected to the person who has that job. When you are connected and the person identifies themselves, then you may introduce yourself. Be friendly, professional, and to the point. The person that you have contacted may be annoyed at having to take the time to talk to someone on the phone, and the less of an impact that you have on their busy work day and their productivity, the better. In business, time is money! DO NOT STRAY from a professional conversation and the purpose of your call, and be short and concise with any answers that you give to their questions without volunteering a lot of information. The less information that you give the better. The call will be shorter, and they will remember more of the conversation. In the close of your conversation, ASK THEM IF YOU CAN MAIL THEM A PACKAGE with your composite card, your professional resume, and a letter of introduction. If they say "no", thank them and remind them that it is more cost effective if a model is booked without an agency involved. Don't get into a debate with them though, just refer them to the Independent Modeling web site so they can open their eyes to the possibilities that they might not be aware of. End the call and file their information away, and plan to contact them again in three months or if you become aware of a project that they are doing that you may have a look for. You never know, you might either get another person OR they might finally consider you. You will probably be wasting your time and may harm your chances of working with them at all if you send them something immediately after they have told you no, however; sometimes, being too persistent will annoy people. ON THE OTHER HAND, If you got this far and you've made a good impression, they will probably tell you "yes". Congratulations. You have soft sold yourself with an introduction, and IF a job comes up that you have a look for, you'll probably have an easier time booking it than if you sent your material to a solicited model job post!

B1. PUT TOGETHER YOUR MATERIAL

If the company gives you permission, OR you cannot reach them by phone or E-Mail and want to do this anyway, put together your material to mail to them. If you don't soften them up by communicating with them first, however, prepare for a hard sell, and you need to explain WHY you are mailing them a package and HOW your look and qualifications can benefit any projects that they may have now or in the future. SELL YOURSELF, but don't waste their time with a long letter and information that is not relevant. Make your point in a cover letter under a half page in length that can be read in under a minute, so they will file your information and keep it on file. Don't worry if you don't hear back from them, you'll get the chance to hear from them if they want to book you in a relevant project or when you follow up in a few weeks.

1. Read the job post carefully

Details are very important. We might even say that details are critical, because, let's face it, they really are. Find out what the job is, who is doing it, and what the specifics and the pay are. Compare it to our RATE SHEET to make sure that the pay scale is industry competitive. Pay attention to who, why, how, what, and where. Use these details in your cover letter so that the person reading it realizes that you are not only professional, but that you took the time to get the details AND write to them and only them. We cannot begin to tell you how many models send THIS site silly, poorly written E-Mails wanting us to represent them and wanting to be considered for "our" jobs. If they actually took the time to READ, they would understand that we are not an agency, we are not a photography company with jobs, AND that the jobs on our job board are from many DIFFERENT companies. Guess what happens to those E-Mails? We either make fun of them in the mail bag, or get comfortable with certain well used actions called "delete" and "empty trash". Trust us when we say that not doing your homework and not showing that you have a clue about why you are contacting them is a waste of time, and may even hurt you for future consideration of other jobs, as they will remember who you are. The model MUST get all of their facts in order before taking any kind of action!

2. Write a cover letter

It is important not to send out a vague form letter. Don't let them feel that they were one of many recipients of the same letter, ESPECIALLY if they really were! Take the time to write a letter to them. Introduce yourself, be positive and let them know that you have an upbeat look that can benefit or make their project. Make sure you let them know in the cover letter, also known as a letter of introduction, about your experience which is relevant to their specific job. Tell them what you like about the specific job offer and what you like about their company, and feel free to ask questions. After you sign the letter, add a signature footer with your name, telephone number, your PO Box, E-Mail address, and web site address. NEVER put your physical mailing address in a letter to someone who you don't know.

3. Assemble your introduction package

Your package will include a cover letter, your resume, and a composite card. If you are going to be E-Mailing them, do not send large picture files! Use a digital version of your composite card under 200K in size or link to the location of the file on the Internet. Don't clog their E-Mail account! If you are inconsiderate and E-Mail them large files, they WILL delete your E-Mail without looking at it and considering you at all, and we don't blame them. Make it a simple and quick matter to go over your material, and make it easy to consider you. If you are going to be mailing the package, make sure that your cover letter and resume is printed on professional resume paper.

4. Send your package

Send them your package. If you are E-Mailing them, request verification that they have received your material. Note that many companies get a lot of E-Mail from a lot of models, and that they might only be able to contact you if they wish to consider you for the go see and a possible job booking. This is another reason that you must be as professional as possible- you have to compete with a LOT of other models who may have your kind of look, and you want to set yourself apart from them and get noticed in the crowd of submissions!

5. Check back with them

Give them a week, and then check back with them. They might be busy, but you now have a reason to call them. Ask to speak to someone in charge of booking for jobs or the person booking a specific job. Keep it short and polite, and verify that they got your information. If they are interested in you, they will either take the time to ask you a few questions, ask you to call back when they have more time to talk to you, or will offer you a go see appointment.

If you are not considered for the job Go See, or do not hear back from them, do not take it personally. Get ready to submit for the next model job go see, and keep them in mind. DO NOT TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY. It might be as simple as you not having the look that they need. A "no" at least means that they took the time to consider you and many "no"s lead to future "yes"'s if you are professional and polite about it. If you get the chance to talk to them, ask why you were not considered. Most people will be honest with you, and you can use that feedback in a positive way by addressing and correcting any issues that might come up.

UPDATED 12/17/08

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