Model Recruitment; What Works for You?

Hey everyone. i run a content production company in Vancouver, BC (www.greenpoolstudios.com) and we specialize in producing all-male content (both photo and video). We're working towards our first exclusive content pay-site. We're going after the 19-30 y/o "boy-next-door" "college muscle jock" look.

At times it gets very difficult finding qualified models so thought i'd post this thread and see if you guys have any good ideas/advice.

So far we've pretty much only explored classified ads in entertainment papers and we've also worked with female talent scouts.

The ads get a high response but they don't bring in very many qualified guys so all we do in the ad is direct them to the website (www.greenpoolstudios.com) where they can apply with their pictures (we don't provide them with our office #. We do however provide a 1800# were they can leave a message). I really don't know how many hot guys we're missing out on (the ones who're too lazy to apply online) but i can't imagine wasting my time talking to every guy out there who thinks he's got what it takes, when in fact most don't.

The talent scouts are great only because we pay them a "finders fee" if and only if we work with the model they referred to us. But in this case it's only a matter of time before the talent scout loses their interest and motivation, and eventually they seems to fade away (we work with them on a independent contractor basis).

Any innovative ideas? What do some of you guys do to keep a steady flow of models?

PS. Do you guys see anything wrong with the website? Is there any reason why guys coming to the site may be deterred away? Is the form too long?

PSS. Is it common practice for production companies to refer/exchange models? if so, what's involved in that?

Thanks guys...all your comments will be totally appreciated!

Allan
www.greenpoolstudios.com

Ah, Vancouver. Only place in the world where we've had the pleasure of being raided in the middle of a 4 way shoot by the Vancouver police, and I got hauled away and strip searched -- and had over $800 worth of (blank) compact flash cards confiscated, along with DV videotapes that weren't even shot in Canada. All on a bogus immigrations charge. (They couldn't find anything else we were doing wrong, so they decided we needed a work permit since we were American. But NAFTA specifically says we don't, only they weren't interested in hearing that....)

But that's another story. :=)

There are indeed some beautiful boys in Vancouver. I would say that good scouts are your best option. The ads work, but you can expect that you'll have to wade through a lot of guys that don't match your needs before you find one that does.... and our experience is that a lot of the guys who see the ad in the paper don't have Internet access. So being able to take calls is importnat. Perhaps having a recording that describes the arrangement and answers common questions and then refers them to another number to speak to a real person would be a good idea. It takes time to gain the momentum, and by treating your models well, word will eventually get around that you're a good studio to work with.

As for model exchanges, I think that most studios probably prefer to keep their models as close to exclusive as they reasonably can. We're exploring some joint projects with another studio, and have considered other options in the past, it just has to be an arrangement that makes good business sense for both parties.

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Originally Posted by boyfunk

Ah, Vancouver. Only place in the world where we've had the pleasure of being raided in the middle of a 4 way shoot by the Vancouver police, and I got hauled away and strip searched -- and had over $800 worth of (blank) compact flash cards confiscated, along with DV videotapes that weren't even shot in Canada. All on a bogus immigrations charge. (They couldn't find anything else we were doing wrong, so they decided we needed a work permit since we were American. But NAFTA specifically says we don't, only they weren't interested in hearing that....)

But that's another story. :=)

There are indeed some beautiful boys in Vancouver. I would say that good scouts are your best option. The ads work, but you can expect that you'll have to wade through a lot of guys that don't match your needs before you find one that does.... and our experience is that a lot of the guys who see the ad in the paper don't have Internet access. So being able to take calls is importnat. Perhaps having a recording that describes the arrangement and answers common questions and then refers them to another number to speak to a real person would be a good idea. It takes time to gain the momentum, and by treating your models well, word will eventually get around that you're a good studio to work with.

As for model exchanges, I think that most studios probably prefer to keep their models as close to exclusive as they reasonably can. We're exploring some joint projects with another studio, and have considered other options in the past, it just has to be an arrangement that makes good business sense for both parties.

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Thanks a lot BoyFunk!! you've been totally amazing in replying to my posts today :)

Right now we pay our talent scouts $200CDN for every qualified model they refer to us that results in a shoot. Is that a reasonable fee you think?

btw Boyfunk...sorry to hear about the local Vancouver authorities harassing you like they did. It's quite possible that you would've gotten a much better treatment if they had found you with a pound of weed instead of the porn :high:

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Originally Posted by SnowBoy

btw Boyfunk...sorry to hear about the local Vancouver authorities harassing you like they did. It's quite possible that you would've gotten a much better treatment if they had found you with a pound of weed instead of the porn :high:

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Yah, actually, the police were actually incredibly nice about it. The mother of one of the guys found out he was working with us, and called police and *implied* that he was underage, which is why they busted the shoot in the first place. But he wasn't underage, and they figured that out... but by then, they had like 6 cops there, and I think it was one of those cases where they had egg all over their faces and didn't have any way to get out of it, so somebody suggested going after the immigrations thing. By the end of it, I could tell the sargant felt rather embarrassed about the whole thing, and they'd also figured out that even though they might not have agreed with what we were doing, that we were nice people that weren't taking advantage of anyone, so they were pretty cool about it all. But just the same, I'd have preferred not to go through that :)

I think what you're offering as a referral fee is quite decent. If your scouts aren't responding to that, maybe you need to look for scouts :)

we have a similiar site, http://xposedmodels.com. We do much the same thing as far as farming talent to the site goes. To answer you other question pertaining to sharing of models by other producers in your area, we do a lot of that here in San Diego. We network locally quite often and share incoming talent from LA on a regular basis. I would highly suggest it, just don't end up as the models fourth shoot of the day, hehehehe. :joker:

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Originally Posted by YanksTodd

we have a similiar site, http://xposedmodels.com. We do much the same thing as far as farming talent to the site goes. To answer you other question pertaining to sharing of models by other producers in your area, we do a lot of that here in San Diego. We network locally quite often and share incoming talent from LA on a regular basis. I would highly suggest it, just don't end up as the models fourth shoot of the day, hehehehe. :joker:

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Hey Thanks YanksTodd. Should i approach the local companies in any particular way regarding this? What's a good way to go about this to make it worthwhile for both parties? What works for you guys?

I was thinking about a set referral fee. For every model that we refer to one another, we pay that company a $200 referral fee. ??? What do you think?

Thanks

Perhaps they're looking to find a dollar amount when they arrive at your site? Maybe the ad reads more like fashion model work and not nude modeling work? Just a couple of thoughts.

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Originally Posted by robin

Perhaps they're looking to find a dollar amount when they arrive at your site? Maybe the ad reads more like fashion model work and not nude modeling work? Just a couple of thoughts.

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Hey thanks Robin. The ad reads:

MALE MODELS WANTED
Hot Muscular Guys 19-30
for Nude Photo/Video Work
$100/hr to start.
1800-###-####
Apply Online: www.greenpoolstudios.com

And it's listed under the "adult employment" category so the guys that apply pretty much know what's expected.

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Originally Posted by SnowBoy

Hey thanks Robin. The ad reads:

MALE MODELS WANTED
Hot Muscular Guys 19-30
for Nude Photo/Video Work
$100/hr to start.
1800-###-####
Apply Online: www.greenpoolstudios.com

And it's listed under the "adult employment" category so the guys that apply pretty much know what's expected.

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Hmmm well the ad is definately not worded wrong then. :) Still you may want to add it to your site -- just to confirm in their minds what the could be making and what's expected of them. Other than that I don't have any other suggestions.

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Originally Posted by SnowBoy

Hey Thanks YanksTodd. Should i approach the local companies in any particular way regarding this? What's a good way to go about this to make it worthwhile for both parties? What works for you guys?

I was thinking about a set referral fee. For every model that we refer to one another, we pay that company a $200 referral fee. ??? What do you think?

Thanks

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Well we take a much more casual approach to talent trading. Since we are all always looking for models and trading quite a bit, it's rare that any referral fees actually go out, however when we do pay it's only $50 US. Agency fees in LA are only $100 US for most models I think $200 CA is a bit high. As far as an approach goes, I would just take em out to lunch have a beer and let them no what your are looking to do. We do quite a bit of local networking here in San Diego, we actually just started a local event board specifically for trading business http://sdwebmasters.com It's very localized, so I hope they the GWW mods don' t hate me for posting the link, however its a great example of how face to face networking still has a place in the online world.

Both "Media-Advertisment" And "Scouting" Work! , It Just Depends Which One Your More Comfortable "Implementing" , And/Or What Area Your In.
I Prefer "Scouting" ( I Need What The Eyes Can See! ) And Found That Most Of My "Hot-Guys/Girls" Don't Even Have A Computer ( It Get's In The Way Of The Barbell's & Weights! ) And/Or Interest In It!.
I Go To Clubs/Bars/Beaches/Gym/Etc...Anywhere Where Hot People Gather ( Contrary To Popular Belief , Not Everyone Congregates In Chat Rooms! ) I Carry Buisness Cards And Just "Talk" Face To Face.
"Caps" On "Age" Are Nice , But Keep In Mind That Not Everyone Looks Their Age And Sometimes The "Hot-One" Is 1 Year Over Your "Max"!:)
In Regards To "Model-Exchange"..." I Keep What I Kill!..Err..Catch!"...- The Chronicles Of Riddick
Just Kidding! , If Some Other Studio/Website/Etc Is Interested In Hiring Them , I Pass The Information On To The Model ( Of Course The Terms Had Better Be Pretty Damn Good! , I've Worked Too Hard Getting My People And I Don't Want Them Screwed Over! )



Sincerely ~ If You Measure Inteligence By Age , Then Rocks Are Smarter Than Us?:)

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Originally Posted by longboardjim

I Go To Clubs/Bars/Beaches/Gym/Etc...Anywhere Where Hot People Gather ( Contrary To Popular Belief , Not Everyone Congregates In Chat Rooms! ) I Carry Buisness Cards And Just "Talk" Face To Face.

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I haven't started scouting guys in public yet but what do you find works best? Do you tell them that it's porn? Do you only approach them when they're by themselves? Do you go over everthing right there and then or do you just hand them your biz card and hope they call? I don't know...what do you think?

Thank you so much btw!

Rule #1...Never Start Or End The Conversation With Porn!..."Hey Would You Like To Get Naked And Jerk-Off For My Camera"..."Call Me Soon I Would Love To See Your "Monstrous-Cock" Shoot Globs Of Cum All Over My Lens"!
This Will Result In An Immediate Response ( Usually A Punch In The Nose!:) Since "Porn" Has Always Been Considered "Dirty" Their First "Instictive" Response Would Be To Say No!
You Can Either "Scout" Yourself Or Hire "Assitants" ( I Call Mine The "Fembots"!:) I Find In "Dealing" With "Straights" It Always Helps To Have A Pair Of "Tits" Handy ( Some People Need Visual!:) And Of Course You Can Reverse This When Trying To Pick-Up Women.
Most Important! , Never Promise More Than You Can Deliver ( You Ain't No "Pimp-Daddy" And Your Female Assitants/Models Are Not His "Private-Harem"
It's Best To "Talk" To Them Alone , And You Can Start Off With A Couple Of "General-Topics" Leading Up To "The Main"..."Have You Ever Considered Modeling"?...What About "Adult"?
I Don't Give My Card Unless I Have Some Kind Of Interest ( I Have Enough Things Lining "Waste-Baskets"! ) And You Don't Want It Laying Around Your Local 24 Hour Fitness/Starbucks/Etc...:)
Of Course This Works For Me , It May Or May Not Work For You , I'm Sure Others Will Have Their Own Traps..Err..Techniques!:) , For More Information On "Hiring & Retaining Adult Models" Buy My Book Now Available At "amazon.com" !:)

P.S ~ Keep It General , Don't Try And "Flood" Them With Discussion And Forms , Most People Are In A Hurry And Just Want The "Cliff-Notes" , They Have Your Number , If They Need To Know More They Will Ask!

Sincerely ~ ..."Fuscious Say! , If You Have To Fish!..Use Damn Good Bait"!...:)

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Originally Posted by longboardjim

Of Course This Works For Me , It May Or May Not Work For You , I'm Sure Others Will Have Their Own Traps..Err..Techniques!:) , For More Information On "Hiring & Retaining Adult Models" Buy My Book Now Available At "amazon.com" !:)

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well i feel completely stupid!! i actually did a search for your "book"
I knew i was taking a chance ;)

Thanks for everyting else though!

Yeah, thats what i tell my talent scouts to do: "approach the subject carefully....ask them about modeling first...get a feel for them first before bringing up the question of nude/adult modeling...and not to push it!"

They're slowly starting to develop their own techniques so we'll see how they do.

I'm Sure There's A Book Out There On The Subject ( There's One For Everything Else! )
But As You Know Books Only Go So Far And Then It's Entirely Up To You And Your "Developed" Sense Of Style!
I'm Confident That You Will Find A Way , And You Will Find That When Dealing With The Public , No Two People Are Alike And Have To Be "Handeled" Differently ( ..."Okay! , You Can Have Your Own Dressing Room"!...:)
Depending On Your Buisness "Ethics" ( Be As Good As You Can Be! ) You Will Find Latter That Your "Models" Will In Turn "Refer" More "Models" And "Word Of Mouth" Will Take Care Of The Rest (..."Only Good Tasting Tuna Get's To Be Starkist"...:)
Best Of Luck! And Continued Success!:)

Sincerely ~ ..."If You Build A Studio...They Will Come"...:)

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Originally Posted by longboardjim

I'm Sure There's A Book Out There On The Subject ( There's One For Everything Else! )
But As You Know Books Only Go So Far And Then It's Entirely Up To You And Your "Developed" Sense Of Style!
I'm Confident That You Will Find A Way , And You Will Find That When Dealing With The Public , No Two People Are Alike And Have To Be "Handeled" Differently ( ..."Okay! , You Can Have Your Own Dressing Room"!...:)
Depending On Your Buisness "Ethics" ( Be As Good As You Can Be! ) You Will Find Latter That Your "Models" Will In Turn "Refer" More "Models" And "Word Of Mouth" Will Take Care Of The Rest (..."Only Good Tasting Tuna Get's To Be Starkist"...:)
Best Of Luck! And Continued Success!:)

Sincerely ~ ..."If You Build A Studio...They Will Come"...:)

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Thanks a lot man! That've very reassuring to hear. And yeah, that's true, some of my old models are telling their friends about me and some are actually coming through