Networking is an important part of any model’s career. By networking, you can connect with other professionals in the industry who can help you find work or recommend you to others.
Ask your friends and family for help to meet new people by requesting they introduce you. This can be especially helpful if you are nervous about networking in large groups.
1. Ask for Referrals
Referrals are a great way to grow your client base without spending a lot of money on marketing and sales. However, you’ll need to be able to offer some sort of incentive or reward for your clients in order to encourage them to spread the word about your business. This could be in the form of a monetary bonus or a discount on their next purchase.
One of the best ways to ask for referrals is to simply come out and ask your current clients directly. They’ll be more likely to honor your request if they’re already familiar with your work and have a positive relationship with you. However, this method can be quite intimidating and many people may feel uncomfortable asking outright. A good alternative is to send your clients a survey after they’ve completed their project or service with you. This can help you identify which of your existing customers are most likely to provide a referral, and you can follow up with them afterward by sending them an email asking for a recommendation.
The key to success when asking for referrals is to make it as easy and straightforward as possible for your clients. If they have to go out of their way or think about it too hard, they’ll probably give up. Instead, be sure to ask for a referral after your client has experienced the value you’ve provided and can clearly see the impact on their business. This will be much more enticing than asking them for a recommendation while they’re still trying to figure out if your product or service is right for them.
You’ll also need to be strategic about which channels you use to approach your clients. For example, it wouldn’t be wise to ask a customer for a referral on LinkedIn if they rarely log in. Instead, focus on the platforms and social media channels where your client spends most of their time. This will ensure that your message is seen and heard by the people most likely to be receptive to it.
2. Network with your Agency
The agency you work for can be one of your biggest networks in the modelling world. Agencies can provide models with regular jobs, help them find new opportunities and promote their career in a number of ways. It is important to make friends with your agent and build a working relationship with them so they can represent you in the best way possible. They can also introduce you to industry professionals, such as photographers, that you may not have access to otherwise.
If you have an established rapport with your agency, they will be able to put in a good word for you on behalf of their clients. This can be a huge advantage as some clients are hesitant to hire unknown models, or they have their own preferences and favourites. Having a strong reputation in the industry can open many doors and allow you to take on more challenging projects.
You should also network with the people you interact with at shoots and fashion shows, particularly with photographers and other models. It can be a very competitive industry with each model out for themselves, but if you do a great job on set and get on well with everyone else involved, they will be more likely to recommend you or ask you to do another shoot with them. The same goes for makeup artists and stylists.
The majority of a model’s networking will happen on the job, as this is the most convenient and effective method. It is therefore important to be polite, friendly and endeavour to be memorable to all the people you meet at each shoot or event.
If you want to expand your network and increase your chances of being hired, you should aim to attend industry events that align with your modelling style or interests. You can also join professional associations and connect with influencers who may be able to recommend your services to their audiences. This can be a very cost-effective way to grow your network and expand your modelling opportunities.
3. Attend Fashion Shows and Events
The fashion industry is renowned for its competitive nature, however, there are some models who will be more than willing to help others out. For example, if you do a good job on a shoot and get along with the team members such as the agency people, stylists and photographers they may recommend you for future work. Collaborating with other designers, photographers, hair and makeup artists is a great way to build your portfolio, expand your networking opportunities and gain valuable contacts within the industry.
Attending events such as fashion shows and competitions is a great way to network. Make sure you dress professionally and bring business cards, this will help to make a great impression. If you are unsure of the event’s theme, guest list or any other relevant information try doing some research before hand so you can chat intelligently about the topic with anyone you meet. Often these events are very busy and it can be hard to break the ice with new connections, so having a common friend introduce you can take some of the pressure off. More confident models can try approaching individuals themselves, just be mindful not to interrupt and always be polite.
In the digital age, using social media is an extremely effective networking tool for models. By following event organizers, photographers and designers you can stay up to date with their latest work, commenting on their content and liking their posts can all eventually get you on their radar.
Another useful networking tool for models is attending casting calls. Although it can be intimidating to walk into an unknown space, meeting the brand representatives and demonstrating your modelling skills to them could lead to a future booking.
Building a strong relationship with your agency is vital for any model. If they like and trust you they will open up their own network to you, which means they’ll think of you when suitable jobs come up and offer you the job before anyone else. For this reason, it is important to be friendly and respectful towards your agency at all times.
4. Share Your Work on Social Media
Having a solid network can help models to gain more opportunities in the fashion industry. Many feel hesitant and shy when it comes to networking but it’s a crucial part of any model’s career. Having connections and people that can put in a good word for you can make all the difference within this highly competitive world.
Building a list of contacts can take time and effort but it’s important for any model to be proactive when it comes to making new connections. It can be quite intimidating entering into a group of strangers and approaching them but it’s a good idea to try to have a common friend introduce you to someone. This will prevent any awkwardness and can also give the impression that you are friendly and confident. However, if you are not comfortable doing this then that’s completely fine too. You can still build a list of connections just as effectively, as long as you are not interrupting anyone and know when the best time to approach someone is.
Sharing your work on social media is a great way to create awareness of yourself and your brand. Ensure that your images are of high quality and you include the photographer, makeup artist and any other professionals involved in the shoot with an appropriate tag. This will allow them to share the work with their audience and can lead to future opportunities for you too.
Another great way to network is by joining a fashion event or show and getting to know other fashion professionals. This could be a chance for you to meet other models, designers or photographers who could potentially work with you in the future.
You can also network by reaching out to your existing network and offering to collaborate on a project together. Working with a photographer, designer or stylist is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and build connections in the fashion industry. Collaborating can also be a fun and rewarding experience and can help you to expand your portfolio too.
