Originally Posted by
boyfunk
Here are some thoughts, which include some repetition of suggestions others have made. Some of them will apply to you, but they're written more generally for any model :
1. If you're at the show to do business (advance your career), act like it. Make people notice you by asking intelligent questions, speaking intelligently... most business owners assume models are there only for eye candy because most models *act* like they're only there for eye candy. Introduce yourself to people. Don't get shitfaced, it just reinforces the stereotype that all the models do is get drunk or high and blunder around like a bull in a china shop.
2. Other people may disagree on this point, but I believe that being friendly and a maybe a *little* flirty will earn you much more respect than acting like a ho. AJ and I made a business decision *not* to do business with a company we were otherwise seriously considering, because the owners were continually completely trashed and acting like hoes (attempting to hump us, that sort of thing) at the first two shows where we saw them. I mean, people can and should have fun and let their hair down, but there's a line. There are enough companies out there that know how to act professionally that we don't really need to do business with people that aren't serious about earning our business. As a model, you have a lot more leeway, but you'll definitely earn respect more quicly if you act like you are deserving of respect.
3. Listen, listen, listen. You can learn a *lot* about this industry just by hanging in circles of conversation -- in the hallways, on the convention floor, and particularly at the parites -- and listening to what's being said. Don't jump in too fast unless you really have something meaningful to say; jumping in for the sake of jumping in probably won't help you.
4. Internext Vegas is really a once-a-year opportunity to meet and connect with a lot of people. (arguably Phoenix Forum is as good or better.) Use your time wisely; sure you can have some fun, but try to spend as much time as possible around people... preferably making sure to find lots of time for *new* people rather than just the ones you already know well.
5. Others may disagree on this point also, but I believe that as a model, you'll do best in the long term if you're thoughtful and careful about what companies you choose to work with and how much and how quickly you expose yourself to the market. I've seen a number of models who have worked for practically every company in the business; they quickly get overexposed, and in a very short time no one really wants them any more. Likewise, doing the opposite and putting most of your energy into one small company may not be your best choice either, unless the company is really growing or is very well regarded. Best in my book to cultivate relationships with a small number of companies you really want to work with and (assuming that the models they use are similar to your look) focus on getting opportunities with ones that are obviously visible and growing.
6. Reputation is everything. Both your reputation and the reputation of the studio or website you're working with. If you're known as a team player, drama free, reliable and consistent, that means a *lot.* And, unfortunately, the opposite is true also. To a lesser extent, your association with a given studio or website, if you work a lot with one studio/site or are exclusive to it, will also have an effect. There are a handful of studios/companies that have an almost universally abysmal reputation, and others that, while visible and not actively disliked, are not exactly the ones that others in the industry are jumping to work with. You'll be able to figure out which are which by listening, observing, and asking around.
Hope that helps!
Wow!!
it is all good .. I will get over it...
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