The multi-part series on everything I wish I had known when I first started to consider modeling
An Agency Reached Out, What Does That Mean?
So, you got a response?
First of all, congratulations!
Whether or not you followed the tips in my last article (if you haven’t read it yet, find it here) you have already taken a big step. Getting a response is a much bigger accomplishment than it may seem. As I mentioned before the modeling agency is better at ghosting than you are when you find out the guy you are dating’s mom still does his laundry.
Getting a response typically will include a request for your availability so they can set up a meeting. This means they liked what they saw, and you have piqued their interest. Depending on your circumstances and how you submitted you may be asked to come into the office for an in-person meeting or you may be asked to hop on a Zoom/video call. One isn’t necessarily better than the other.
If you are close by, the odds are they will ask you to come in person. If you are on the opposite side of the country (and/or in a global pandemic like I was) they will most likely ask you to hop on a Zoom call.)
Whether the agency asking for a meeting is your first choice or one you have already ruled out personally, I would still recommend taking the meeting. The more experience with agency meetings that you get, the more comfortable you will be in the next. That confidence and calm demeanor very well could mean the difference between being offered a contract and the classic “thanks for coming by, have a good day” followed by radio silence forever.
I will break this up into two parts. First, what will they ask you, and how to present yourself.
In the next article, I will go into what you should be looking for and what questions you should ask them because, at the end of the day, they are working for you. You pay them a commission.
What Should I Expect?
Your first agency meeting is going to be the most stressful.
Typically it is going to be you in a meeting room sitting at a table with a couple agents discussing you and what you’re looking for in this industry. But even after doing all the research, you will still feel unprepared.
You will overthink everything.
What if I ramble about something stupid?
What if they ask me to walk and I trip?
Could they take one look at me and then dismiss me?
All concerns I had and honestly, very valid.
The truth is, you could fall. You may say something stupid, or they may know from first glance that you aren’t what they are looking for at the moment (but don’t worry they won’t just cancel the meeting right there, you will still sit down and have a conversation) but seriously, who cares? In the grand scheme of things you will absolutely go through far more embarrassing experiences in your life and your career and you need thick skin to survive in this industry so a little embarrassment can’t be the thing that does you in.
Now that that’s out of the way, here’s a few helpful tips.
What Do I wear?
What you wear can also affect your chances of getting signed. Never walk in with a hair tie on your wrist. It sends a bad message. If you forget to take it off for a meeting or casting how can they trust that you won’t forget to take it off before walking down the runway? If you have long hair make sure to have one but keep it in your pocket.
Wear your hair how you had it in the digitals you submitted. They liked it before and it got you this far so don’t try and fix something that isn’t broken.
Makeup – you typically want to keep it light.
- Women opt for mascara, a little concealer or tinted moisturizer if needed, a little powder if it’s hot and you get sweaty or oily, maybe a brow gel, and some chapstick (I also love a good lip mask!).
- Men you could do bare face or if you have a blemish or pigmentation you would like to disguise throw on a light concealer and maybe some chapstick.
Never go in with a full face of makeup. They want to see what you look like as a blank canvas if you had to choose between a full face and a bare face, always go for a bare face.
Clothing-wise, if you have a strong sense of style that you have mastered it doesn’t hurt to show it off a bit but if you are a little more unsure, stick to the classics, they are there for a reason. Black form-fitting clothes work any time of the year or light wash blue jeans and a white tank or t-shirt in the summer if all black is too hot.
If you want to wear comfortable shoes on the way there, feel free to do so but change into your heels before going inside.
Etiquette
When entering the Agency walk in with confidence but not arrogance. You are not above anyone so don’t act like it.
Introduce yourself and be kind to everyone from the receptionist to the director.
If they ask you to take a seat for a minute do not pop in earbuds and bury your head in your phone. Your best bet is to come with something to do. It could be a book or an e-reader, if you crochet or knit and have a small project you are working on that can fit in your bag easily that’s a great option too! If you need to check your phone that is fine just make sure you keep it on silent and keep it quick. Do not do it once you are in your meeting unless it is an absolute emergency.
One thing I have noticed that surprised me is that hugging is quite common in this industry so don’t be surprised if the agents come in for a hug at the beginning or end of the meeting. However, if you are not comfortable hugging try to make sure that you are the one to initiate a handshake before a hug becomes an option and you are in an awkward situation. A handshake is always a safe bet. If they go in for the hug okay, but I do not recommend you try to initiate one. Say thank you and shake their hand at the end of the meeting as well if it seems natural. However, f they are still seated on the other side of the table maybe say thank you and make your way out.
Know How to Answer the “Tell Me About Yourself” Question.
It may seem simple, but, when you’re on the spot if you haven’t prepared, you may forget every interesting thing about yourself and after the meeting, you will kick yourself for not saying it.
A few things to keep in mind, they want to hear about your hobbies, jobs, education, or family if you have started one. Not, how you have dreamed about being a model ever since you could walk. They know you want to be a model, that’s why you are there. They want to know what makes you unique. They are asking that question to both get to know you and also to get a feel for how you will be able to socialize and behave on set. When you sign with an agency every time you work a job or are at a casting/fitting you represent them, so they want to make sure they are sending in their best sales rep. Think of how you would answer that question if it were coming from your future mother or father-in-law.
Know your measurements (women, men). Knowing your up-to-date measurements is something you will always have to do so no time is better to start than the present. If you are in person they may take them right there as well.
Know what clients you may want to work for in the future and what kind of modeling you are most interested in. A good model will be flexible and open to trying new things but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a preference.
The different types of modeling are;
E-commerce; (a.k.a. Ecom) and Commercial
For example, this is what you see when you open the target app. Most full-time models will have what is known as a consistent client especially when it comes to ecom work. They will be the closest thing you have to stability in this industry. They will consistently book you anywhere from once a week to once a month and they are also often the better-paying jobs typically ranging between 1k to 5k sometimes more sometimes less but it’s consistent work nonetheless.
This could also include video commercials, print ads, billboards, and Social media (posts, reels, stories, etc.).
Beauty, swim/lingerie, parts (like hand and teeth modeling), and fitness (p.s. if you are really good at a sport make sure they know) modeling,
Runway
Runway is exactly what it sounds like. Work will typically come in seasons such as Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer Fashion Week-New York, Paris, and Milan being the most common. Bridal Week and Swim Week are also busy seasons. Runway is great for tall and lean models who also love the adrenaline rush that comes with it. Curve (size 4/6 and up) models can and will still be booked but not nearly as often as a straight-size model and will work primarily in the US.
Fit
Fit modeling is not the same as fitness modeling.
Fit models are basically live mannequins. Brands will book a fit model to come in and help find the correct fit for an article of clothing before it is released for sale. So, if you always seem to be able to find clothes that fit just right in stores this may be a market for you. If you are taller/shorter than the average person odds are this will be a much less common market for you to work.
Editorial
Editorial is the extravagant and more avant-garde work. Think magazines, again billboards, and luxury. Straight-size models with unique features will often book a lot in this market. I have begun to see more curve models breaking into this sector as well.
Showroom
Last but not least, showroom. This can be both during fashion week and off-season. It will typically consist of multiple models wearing the pieces for clients to view. It could either be a static pose for a couple of hours at a time while people come through and view all the different pieces or it could be a constant cycling through various pieces. In showroom, you may be walking out onto a stage posing for 30 seconds to about two minutes while someone talks about the pieces you are wearing and then you go back, change then do it all again for a couple of hours at a time.
You may also be the person hired to look pretty and point. I know it sounds crazy but think of car unveiling/commercials you know that girl who is standing by the car?
She’s a model.
Like I said before, most models will do a mixture of different types of modeling but everyone has a favorite.
What is your availability like?
This can be another make-it-or-break-it question. The modeling industry is very last minute. You may get a call sheet for a casting or booking a day or two before, the morning of, or possibly a call asking if you can go right this second.
Because of this, you need a flexible schedule. Every agency is different and how you want to answer this is up to you. I, along with many models I know have…omitted the fact that we are in school and have found ways to work around it however this is not me advising you do that as well.
It’s also very common for Models to work survival jobs. It is ideal if you can keep normal business hours open or at least either 9am-12pm or 2pm-6pm and are able to take a day off when you book a job. It sounds impossible but you will find a way to make it work. I opted for early mornings, so when I moved to NYC my survival job was Trader Joe’s and I worked a 4 am-12 pm shift. Making sure my days off were weekdays. However, I have begun my shift to nightlife and find that to be much more my style but to each their own.
Just keep in mind that if you decide to leave out the fact that you have a slightly stricter schedule you need to have a plan on what you are going to do if the day arrives that you have a last-minute booking when you are supposed to be at school or work and how you will handle that.
Walking
No matter your height or body type odds are they will ask you to walk. If you’re a man, you’re lucky throw on a pair of boots and walk. If you’re a woman you may not be so lucky. The industry standard is black stiletto heels. If you don’t already know how to walk in them, start practicing. While you may see strappy heels are the most common, if you do not have a strong walk then do not wear them. Get a block heel with a platform and more ankle support, and if that is a little…baby deer-like still, opt for a sturdy, classy heeld boot until you get the basics down.
A strong walk has a lot of different aspects but a few key points to try and hit are;
A faster pace (try 3.4-3.6 on a treadmill), movement comes from the hips. Do not let your head bob around. Don’t swing your arms too much, keep your shoulders rolled back, neck should look long, and have a strong face. Imagine your ex, or rival, or someone you want to impress is in the audience. If you know how to mew, that with a little smize is a strong starting point.
What are Your Goals?
Is modeling what you hope to do for the rest of your life? Do you want to become an actor? Artist? Are you doing this to put yourself through college? Doesn’t really matter what your goals are just make sure you have an answer.
Thank you all for reading! I hope this helps you feel a little less lost and is a good introduction on how to approach an agency meeting! The next part of Modeling 101 will cover what you should ask them.
For more on modeling, apartment/nyc living and so much more visit the blog here!
Until next time ❤
~ A.
P.S If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or DM me on either my blog’s IG or my personal IG both linked below : )
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