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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

How to Start a Modeling Agency | Business Ideas

Modeling Agency | Business IdeasA modeling agency is a company that represents fashion models, to work for the fashion industry. These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model and or the head agency. The top agencies work with big-budget advertising agencies and fashion designers. They invest money into developing their talent so they can increase their status within the industry. These top agencies will help train models, get test shoots, layout portfolios, and put together comp cards (composition photo cards) and other printed materials models need. The agencies find work for models by presenting them to designers, photographers, and ad agencies. The agencies are also responsible for booking the jobs, billing for the jobs, and eventually paying the models for their time. By handling the details, an agency allows a model to focus on modeling and not on the business end. Because modeling is a very competitive, fast moving business that extends beyond the traditional 9 AM to 5 PM business hours, an agency generally conducts business 24 hours a day, to handle emergencies such as cancellations or rush jobs. Most agencies have a service or an operator to handle emergency issues after hours.

Opening your own modeling agency, and promoting the talented people associated with your agency, can be a rewarding career choice. It can also be financially rewarding for you and your models. As you promote your business, find work for the models and become well known in your area, your agency could quickly grow to reach outside your local region to markets in other states or countries.

Modeling Agency Business Instruction:

Plan Your Business

Step 1

Obtain experience by working at a successful modeling agency so you can get a good feel for the daily operations of such a company. Take notes regarding how they deal with talent issues, hiring talent and finding work.

Step 2

Select the type of agency you wish to run. Many traditional agencies take on talent of both genders from age 15 to 35. Specialty agencies handle plus-sized models, models over 40 or ethnic models.

Step 3

Identify where your target demographic of models exist. If you have chosen to specialize in Latino models, for example, you will need to know where this demographic lives and works and where advertisers who may hire them are located. This is important later on when choosing a location for your business.

Step 4

Create a list of all expenditures necessary to get started. Include monthly rent, remodeling costs, costs of hiring and scouting for talent, hiring a photographer, utility deposits, marketing, equipment and Internet access, office supplies and furniture.

Step 5

Write a formal business plan. You will need this to keep your business on track and in the event that you apply for a business loan. You can find modeling agency business plan templates on the Internet for a low fee or get one from your local library for free. Your business plan should also include how much you will charge models and clients for services.

Implement the Plan

Step 1

Obtain funding from a commercial bank. If you don't have enough capital on hand to implement your business plan, you will need to secure a loan to get started.

Step 2

Secure an optimum location. The optimal location provides easy access for the target model demographic and potential clients. A commercial real estate broker can help you in this endeavor. They have access to tools that analyze the demographics and price points of an area.

Step 3

Check with local city and county governments to obtain the correct licensing, as well as your state government for information on registering a DBA ("doing business as") name.

Step 4

Hire a photographer for in-house studio shoots and test shots of auditioning models.

Step 5

Begin interviewing talent. Place an ad in a local newspaper and online classifieds to attract talent to an open call audition. Once your business grows, you can hire a talent scout to help look for models.

Find Jobs for Models

Step 1

Get the models’ portfolios ready to show to potential clients. Experienced models will already have portfolios ready to show. New ones will need to compile a portfolio. Your in-house photographer can get them started.

Step 2

Solicit clients by placing print and television ads, having a grand opening party for your business and getting in touch with past contacts in the business. Department stores often put on live runway shows each season to display new clothing lines and to liven up promotional displays. Contact the marketing director for these stores and set up a meeting.

Step 3

Network at local business events to find clients that may need modeling talent for their print and television ads. Hire an in-house agent to find work for models as well.

Tip 

  • Your contact base provides a valuable tool for finding clients that need modeling talent. Keep an electronic or written version of every possible client. Almost every business that advertises is a potential client. You can also use contacts to locate fresh, new talent. 

Warning 

  • Have an attorney help you create a contract for models to sign. The contract will include the percentage of their fees you will take as well as other expenses recovered from their modeling fees, such as portfolio photographs you authorized to get them started. It should include standards by which models must adhere, including weight and personal appearance and behavior policies. 

References

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