My Take on Online Modeling Networks and why skipping is it best

A girl on Facebook asked me " Do you think these model networking sites are a beneficial?

My reply:

As an author and advocate I use blogs, social media, my podcast radio show to promote my advocating about modeling, and share advice on modeling. However I DO NOT use social media to market myself AS a model. I strongly am against these sites.

I use comp cards, headshots, and my agents for professional modeling opportunities. In my modeling memoir Almost 5’4” I share A LOT about social media because the book starts in 2001, when social media was just starting to be a word people use. I plug and share my experiences using model-sites at the start and the ugly that came from it. I do mention model-sites that I had joined at the very start of my pursuits, and they are not sites where professionals are.

Through my mistakes with online social model sites, I learned a new language but the language I soon found was amateur. Word like TFP, "Trade For Pictures" or also known as “Time for Print” which involved amateur photographers working with aspiring models. What I found was often I was A LOT more ambitious than the photographers and the photographers were not even serious or professional or knew how to hold the freakin’ camera anyways.

I suggest models skip the internet-age all together, I know it might seem obvious, “download your photo, work as a model”…but the majority of the stuff on those sites are scams, rip offs, perverts and jerks, and a waste of time. Look at who runs those sites.

Most model-sites are run by a total amateurs who can’t even take a good photo.
Others are run by an online web company which has nothing to do with the modeling business and no one who set it up and launched the site is a legit person in the advertising, publishing, magazine, or branding world.

(it also inspires me to ask, why is it we don't hear about model-sites in the news, or a great model coming from web or Entertaniment weekly, NY Times, WSJ, Glamour, Marie Claire, Vogue, featuring one? Because they are amateur.)

(Also how come a magazine does not advertise on the site or have an association?, because these model-sites are for amateurs, and professionals do not want to associate with that.)

When it comes to modeling pursuits. If a girl “really wants to model” and I mean “really” as in work with brands, magazines, and really market herself well, it takes time, it takes more than the ego boost, and it takes really carefully crafting professional photos that well market you to the right agencies and right jobs, and show your assets very well.

Many girls forget that a “smile shot”, and the 4 photos all aspiring shorter model needs are actually very, very simply to get.

1. A headshot, smiling
2. A facial shot, beauty shot
3. A full body catalog style smiling showing personality
4. Showing you modeling a product, it could be a handbag, a shoe, a watch, jewelry, but showing you know how to “model something”.

Here are some samples:







If you have these shots plus maybe a couple extras, you can start preparing a comp card and put the first images in your portfolio. You will “really” modeling for something; you will “really” be able to call yourself a model when you skip the internet. Skip relying on comments, hits, clicks, and working with amateurs,w hich is what happens on those sites. It is a website for those who are “having fun” with the word model and photographer. VERY few on those sites really do work with quality brands, magazines and are professional.

Even if it means you only do 3 photo shoots a year for a legit brand or magazine, and even if it means mailing your comp card by postal mail to 50 agencies and only hearing back from one, it is better than wasting your time with foolish amateur photographers and Social Networking sites. The words “social networking website, does not go with the word “model”.. Not in the “REAL modeling industry.”

SKIP IT. Make a comp card, and buy a booklet at Barnes and Noble called “The CALL SHEET” it is in the magazine section, under film and TV, it has a list of modeling agencies, casting directors and talent agencies, strive for legit and you will get it.

Isobella

Is online exposure "really" good exposure?

The whole online "exposure" and "being seen" thing of the Internet age can be tricky, and I don't think it is the best thing for an aspiring model to strive for. If you have no experience as a model is might seen ideal to use the Internet to get ahead but online exposure is really not the best thing for an aspiring model to obsess over.

Unless it is a catalog shot for Macy's online website or ads, or a known national brand or magazine, a legit company, think twice.

Be careful, skeptical and questioning when considering modeling jobs for online exposure--marketing your self as a model when you are short is about actually getting off the internet, and get the tools real modeling agencies use. A comp card. A headshot. Professional photos. Always.

I believe in self promotion, and aspiring shorter models do need to put some in, before bigger opportunities can come sometimes. To "really" get opportunities to work with brands and magazines, you have to be professional about how you market yourself.

And before you get hyped about an online modeling job at this early stage of your pursuits, ask your self, “How will a modeling agency's eyes see this? How will this job affect the other goals I have? Is this job propelling me forward or just something for my ego, for fun?”

I think it is best to set realistic bigger goals, and then strive to do, accomplish the other little things that can get you there.

Unless the job you are accepting is going to lead you to your bigger goals, then I would skip it.

A reason to Watch 20/20 on Friday: Secret Designs

I want to vomit just thinking about how scamful the modeling business as become since the Internet-age. Or more like, how full of scams "the pursuit of being a model" has become. I made many mistakes as a model, but I thankfully overcame them and my self esteem and confidence and belief in my self did not alter.

I wrote about my early modeling pursuits in my memoir Almost 5'4" honestly and open because I think being honest can inspire girls who are pursuing modeling to skip the scams. I also touch upon modeling scams, and Internet scams and amateur modeling mistakes in my graphic novel Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Size Fashion Warrior.

I can honestly say I am lucky to have survived some of the bad experiences I had during my early modeling pursuits.

Some things to keep in mind when pursuing as a model.

1. Don't be desperate to succeed, so much that you lose your dignity.
2. Don't think ONE person can make you famous or successful.
3. Don't think it happens over night.
4. Beware of online casting calls, scams lerk.

This Friday, December 18th, on 20/20 at 9pm there is a special hour featuring the Rise and Fall of Anand Jon. ((I had a friend who did go to a casting at his studio in NYC, and she was called fat and dissed by him even though she has a fab body.))

Here is the link for more info on the segment:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/anand-jon-fashion-designer-convicted-serial-sexual-assault/story?id=9344417

I suggest watching this feature on ABC 20/20, to hear the sad story of girls falling for the wrong fashion opportunity.

Many of Anand's castings were on the Internet, emails written, also the encounters stemmed from Internet social site communication, Myspace, etc.

The Internet has caused a lot of hype and interest among curious girls who want to be models,-they go to Google and search, upload photos and flaunt, but the truth is They Are Setting Themselves Up For Scams. I believe the Internet is NOT a way that aspiring models can get ahead. It is best to NOT promote yourself on a model on it on random social sites.

It might seem easy, convenient, and normal to find castings, and promote yourself as a model on the web but it is amateur and typically only brings amateur opportunities. I think the Internet is the totally opposite and wrong way to promote your self as a model. Scams and people like Anand are found on the Internet, and you should focus on professionalism and if you want to really find professional opportunities as a model they do not happen on the Internet, it is better to get a comp card made, mail it aggressively to print modeling and talent agencies and aim higher.

Modeling is not showing off, being pretty, or the right size, a model is someone who is "modeling for something" and in a professional environment consistently, and to do it you should not lose your dignity or think you have to sleep with someone to get ahead or put your self in a situation where your worth is tested.

Watch 20/20 at 9pm this Friday, December 18th.

Don't be obsessed with fame and being in the spot light that you lose your dignity. If you are looking for a short-cut, you just might find a scam or even worse.

Also keep in mind
1. you don't need to have sex with someone, make out, or date someone to get ahead.
2. it is possible to get a modeling agency and gete professional modeling jobs but you DO have to work hard for it.
3. Make sure you are comfortable at a casting, on the job, etc, if you are not leave the atmosphere, there will be other opportunities out there.

A reason to Watch 20/20 on Friday: Secret Designs

I want to vomit just thinking about how scamful the modeling business as become since the Internet-age. Or more like, how full of scams "the pursuit of being a model" has become. I made many mistakes as a model, but I thankfully overcame them and my self esteem and confidence and belief in my self did not alter.

I wrote about my early modeling pursuits in my memoir Almost 5'4" honestly and open because I think being honest can inspire girls who are pursuing modeling to skip the scams. I also touch upon modeling scams, and Internet scams and amateur modeling mistakes in my graphic novel Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Size Fashion Warrior.

I can honestly say I am lucky to have survived some of the bad experiences I had during my early modeling pursuits.

Some things to keep in mind when pursuing as a model.

1. Don't be desperate to succeed, so much that you lose your dignity.
2. Don't think ONE person can make you famous or successful.
3. Don't think it happens over night.
4. Beware of online casting calls, scams lerk.

This Friday, December 18th, on 20/20 at 9pm there is a special hour featuring the Rise and Fall of Anand Jon. ((I had a friend who did go to a casting at his studio in NYC, and she was called fat and dissed by him even though she has a fab body.))

Here is the link for more info on the segment:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/anand-jon-fashion-designer-convicted-serial-sexual-assault/story?id=9344417

I suggest watching this feature on ABC 20/20, to hear the sad story of girls falling for the wrong fashion opportunity.

Many of Anand's castings were on the Internet, emails written, also the encounters stemmed from Internet social site communication, Myspace, etc.

The Internet has caused a lot of hype and interest among curious girls who want to be models,-they go to Google and search, upload photos and flaunt, but the truth is They Are Setting Themselves Up For Scams. I believe the Internet is NOT a way that aspiring models can get ahead. It is best to NOT promote yourself on a model on it on random social sites.

It might seem easy, convenient, and normal to find castings, and promote yourself as a model on the web but it is amateur and typically only brings amateur opportunities. I think the Internet is the totally opposite and wrong way to promote your self as a model. Scams and people like Anand are found on the Internet, and you should focus on professionalism and if you want to really find professional opportunities as a model they do not happen on the Internet, it is better to get a comp card made, mail it aggressively to print modeling and talent agencies and aim higher.

Modeling is not showing off, being pretty, or the right size, a model is someone who is "modeling for something" and in a professional environment consistently, and to do it you should not lose your dignity or think you have to sleep with someone to get ahead or put your self in a situation where your worth is tested.

Watch 20/20 at 9pm this Friday, December 18th.

Don't be obsessed with fame and being in the spot light that you lose your dignity. If you are looking for a short-cut, you just might find a scam or even worse.

Also keep in mind
1. you don't need to have sex with someone, make out, or date someone to get ahead.
2. it is possible to get a modeling agency and gete professional modeling jobs but you DO have to work hard for it.
3. Make sure you are comfortable at a casting, on the job, etc, if you are not leave the atmosphere, there will be other opportunities out there.