Now that you have discovered your modeling potential, what next?
Maybe, you can start by looking for commercial modeling contracts. The internet might help you reach more modeling companies than you would through a fashion magazine. Therefore, here are tips on how to market yourself as a model.
How To Brand Yourself as a Model Online
High fashion modeling seems to get all the attention because of the millions invested by brands and other stakeholders in the fashion industry.
Nevertheless, you can also try commercial modeling. So, who is a commercial model? Such a model works for brands, promoting products and services.
Here are ways to get your face closer to the leading model scouts online.
Build a brand on Instagram
A top model like Cara Delevigne’s Instagram fan base is as large as the population of a country, and Kendall Jenner’s IG account has a fan base that is as large as the combined population of at least two countries.
Most Instagrammers masquerading as followers are trolls, but it doesn’t matter because when Kendall posts a picture in a simple dress while sitting on the floor, about 3 million Instagrammers double tap. There’s no reason for advertisers to ignore the following she commands.
To improve your reach on Instagram,
Use hashtags that get your content on relevant hashtag results.
For example, #fashion, #modeling, #modelingalways, #photoshoot, and #instamodel sound great, but they are too general. Additionally, such hashtags have thousands of posts in a minute, so your post might not make it to the top search results of the hashtag. Use hashtags of modeling agencies and talent scouts you would like to attract.
Take professional photographs, not selfies.
Take advantage of simple outings and events to diversify your content. A day out with girlfriends or a beach holiday in Mombasa can provide awesome content for Instagram.
Build a brand on Facebook
On Facebook, you have two options. You can use your account or create a page.
On a personal profile (account):
• When you exhaust the 5,000 friends limit, more people can follow your posts.
• There is personal interaction with industry leaders and friends who support your modelling career. Constructive opinions of friends you trust can help you improve your brand as a model. Your posts can include everyday activities that portray your life outside the modelling world.
On a fan page:
• You can have more than 5,000 friends.
• Your posts focus on your modelling career only as opposed to mixing personal and professional stuff.
• A page has an analytics tool to gauge the impact of your posts, images, etc. You can tell posts that reached a larger audience.
• You can add a photographer or your assistant as administrators of your page to respond to comments and post and approve comments on your behalf.
• You can promote your page through Facebook advertising to attract more people to it.
Hence, to turn your modelling activities into a lucrative career, do not forget to create a fan page. You can learn from Ajuma Nasenyana’s page as she now runs an agency that caters to commercial models.
Her content is diverse, from direct posts on Facebook to screenshots of her posts on Instagram and video content. Her content ranges from the catwalk to days hanging out with friends and being a mother. Other pages to check belong to Irina Shayk, Adriana Lima, Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum. They all have millions of fans. Start low, but aim high.
Publish your portfolio on a blog
Your blog can be strictly professional, with enlarged pictures from various photoshoots. Alternatively, you can give some life to it by documenting your everyday style, the places you have been to as a model, and your hobbies. Since you want to be a commercial model, why not allow potential clients to see how you work in different settings?
You don’t need a degree in IT or journalism to run a blog. Read this article to understand the process of creating a simple fashion blog. Once you have the blog ready, invite your friends and also share the blog with your community on social media. Blogging is liberal: you can post as often as you like, and there is no restriction on the type of content to publish.
For inspiration, visit the blogs of models like Emanuela de Paula (Manu by Manu) and Adrianne Ho (Sweat the Style).
