3 Mistakes that are KILLING your Modeling Career...

If you've been in the modeling or talent industries for any amount of time, it's certain that you've heard the phrasing "You will get out of this industry what you put in." ....or something similar. While that is 100% true, it's a little more complex than just that. WHAT you are dedicating your time, mental focus, energy and money towards will have much larger impact than just trying to hustle yourself to death.

Here are some common mistakes that new and aspiring models make that burn them out before they even get career trajectory going.....

1) Submitting to every agency, manager and casting company without reading the submission instructions, policies and/or requirements.

This is a surefire way to waste time, mental and emotional energy. There are SO many different agencies in major markets that truly look for ALL kinds of models and talent, you just need to be submitting to the right matches for YOU. What are the "right" matches? Well to start, if you are 5'1" and you are only submitting to high end fashion and editorial agencies....that is not the right match. It's not to say that this will never ever ever work....it's just very unlikely new talent are ever discovered in this way. The statistical odds are less than 1%. Using your energy on 1% strategies instead of 99% strategies will not work.

Solution:

***READ*** Agency and Management websites and/or casting requirements BEFORE submitting. Compile lists of companies who are accepting/looking for your body type, height, sizes and general look. Time spent researching will not be time wasted. Once you have your list, submit EXACTLY what and how each individual company requests. If you do not follow EXACT directions, it's very unlikely you will get a response even if you are a good fit looks wise. Do NOT use an unedited blanket template to contact all companies..we can tell.

2) Taking advice from your mother's sister's cousin's neighbor who did a catalog shoot once in the 80's.

This industry has changed many times over due to a variety of factors such as equipment technology, growth of commerce and social media. There are far less in person casting calls, digital materials need to be within the top 10% to be booked, there are more and more booking opportunities for petite and plus sized models ever compared to the history of our industry..the list goes on and on. If the person you are asking for advice and guidance is not actively working within the modeling industry in any capacity and/or they have not already personally helped you get started.... it's very very likely what they experienced will have very few to no similarities in comparison to what a model starting out today will experience.

Solution:

Focus on guidance from those who are actually booking models and talent for work within your genre/cast type. If you get the opportunity to meet with an agent, manager or casting director in any capacity take advantage of that by asking questions or asking for clarity about starting or expanding your career. Understand that there are different genres/types of modeling work and asking a high fashion model who started out with a mother agency for advice when you are a local hire commercial model will not yield useful or accurate advice. There is not ONE WAY to become a professional model, but there is definitely a correct and industry standard way BASED ON THE TYPE OF MODELING YOU'RE QUALIFIED TO DO. If you don't understand what kind of work you may be qualified to do/what type of model you are in general START THERE!

3) Refusing to invest anything into your career. (Yes, financially)

There are definitely a laundry list of investments that are not legitimate, and those should be noted. (Ex: being charged a fee to sign an agency contract for representation or paying a fee as the qualification to walk in a runway show) but if you are applying that mentality to ALL investments, you are actively halting your career in 2025. There is no one modeling career in which the model has invested nothing financially, and if someone is telling you that, they are likely being dishonest. If you are working freelance, you should be paying for legitimate/industry standard casting websites. If you are an agency model, you will need to pay for printed comp cards. If you have no experience in photo posing and you do not understand the dynamic of how a camera will capture you...you should take a posing class from a trusted source. If you do not have professional images, shoot a portfolio. If your skin and hair need maintenance you are paying for those treatments and upkeep. It is your job as the talent to be the best version and most marketable you can be...and make it easy for casting directors, clients and agencies to book you. If you're not treating your career....as an actual career...your competition is.

Solution:

Want a comprehensive/full list of legitimate vs non legitimate modeling industry related investments?

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