Skip to main content

Myspace as a Model Marketing Tool


It seems that everyone is a “model” on Myspace nowadays. However, with all the flack and ridicule it gets, Myspace is still a viable option for promoting yourself and your modeling career, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro. All the major models and supermodels have their own Myspace pages, as well as the local and unknown models.

Of course not all girls who are on Myspace with model pages are what I would call “real models.” Many of them just take really good photos but don’t make a living off of it or generate any real income. And that’s fine, that’s them. But what I’m here to talk about with this post is how to use Myspace effectively as a marketing tool to get your name out there.

First, decide on a good layout. I recommend using a custom one that has your photo in the main background. Or you can use a Flash template (lovemyflash.com) to create a really cool layout. But note when you use a Flash template, it takes longer to load the page so for people trying to access your profile on an older, slower computer, this can take forever and may discourage them.

Add a slideshow if you want but don’t go crazy and post too many photos on your main profile page…it gets annoying and can be an eyesore. Once you have the layout complete, now it’s time to choose your photos. Create albums and separate your photos accordingly. Choose simple captions for your images and also include the name of the photographer.

Be professional when filling out the personal information, likes, hobbies, etc. Please no funky typing with half all caps and half all lowercase. No large amounts of slang, shorthand typing (you’re not texting!), and no foul language. While you may have your friends and other buddies viewing your page, you can also have potential clients checking you out as well. Keep it clean.

If you choose to add music that’s fine but choose a song that you wouldn’t be ashamed to have your parents or a total stranger listen to. There are plenty of songs I love but if it’s got foul lyrics or whatever, it’s not going on my page. Actually, I stopped putting songs on my page because of a past radio interview I did.

The radio host went to view my Myspace page as we were talking on-air and the music on my page came blasting through…it scared the crap out of him, me and I’m sure all the listeners! I apologized and it was all good, but still…learn from my lesson and skip out on having music on your profile.

Myspace is a great way to introduce people to you, your modeling career, and to keep them updated on what projects you’re working on. Not only should your friends and family be added to your friends list, but fans as well. Yes, you can have fans without being a household name.

You’d be surprised how cool many fans are—mostly guys of course for female models and vice-versa—who look up to you like a celebrity. These are the people who will vote for you in any modeling contest, purchase anything that has you on it, and will always send over kind words of support. The blog feature is also great for keeping people up to speed on the daily happenings in your life.

Of course you will get weirdoes and maybe some stalker types on there but the great thing is that Myspace has lots of features that let you block profiles. Never give your personal contact information or address to anyone on Myspace unless it’s a bona fide client or photographer.

Update your Myspace modeling photos often. Anytime you get into something new, post about it on your Myspace. The more often people see new content on your page, they’ll get the idea that you are serious. Not only are there famous supermodels on Myspace, there are modeling agencies with Myspace profiles, too! I’m sure you’ve come across them. Ford is one of the latest to merge with Myspace to conduct their annual “Supermodel of the World” contest.

Agencies now make it easier than ever to find out how to submit photos and you can add them to your friends list to keep updated on what’s new with them. Of course there are some fake/copycat profiles out there, so do your best to only add the ones that seem genuine.

When adding a modeling agency to your friends list, also check out their friends lists. Many of them have the top models, stylists, photographers, magazines, and other industry professionals on their pages so shoot them a friend request, too! This is Internet networking at its best. Heck, if you want to be Myspace friends with me, shoot me a friend request!

So what are the chances that you’ll be “discovered” on Myspace? I have no idea…that’s something you’ll have to put in the time and effort to find out on your own. But even if you don’t get scouted online by a modeling agency, I can guarantee that you’ll find a following of devoted fans that will make you feel like a supermodel. Remember Tila Tequila?

Comments

Jean Pardue said…
Great advice for using Myspace as a marketing tool. It can be valuable for male and female models wanting to get some exposure and now you've shown how to make the page "professional".

Here's to You!!

Bob Pardue Photography
---
Be sure to read the
Mind-Blogging Model Blog at
http://bobpardue.wordpress.com

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who