This is the last entry in this latest mini blog post series related to the concept of "Branding" when it comes to the modeling industry.
Chances are I'll continue to do new posts in the future related to the subject but hopefully this collection has helped some of you get a better understanding of why Branding continues to be so important, even for models.
If you've read the previous 5 posts, the dos and don'ts listed below will make much more sense to you so I encourage that you go back and read those in order first before diving right into this post if you haven't done so already.
***FYI: I'll be adding updated Dos & Don'ts to this list as they come up so don't consider this the set in stone version***
DO: Post Regularly
1-2 times a month isn't gonna cut it. Period. Think of yourself as a commodity (for lack of a better metaphor). People will always want you if they see you around. When you go away for too long, people will wonder and then quickly forget. Start off with one post every other day if you have a schedule that doesn't allow for more frequency.
DON'T: Over Do It With the Posting
Sounds contradictory to what I just wrote above, right? As the post before this one discussed in detail, think about quality of the content you put out. Don't feel pressured to post 5-10 times a day.
DO: Focus on Quality Over Quantity
You want each post to get as many likes and interactions as possible. A few likes for each post (regardless of how many you put out daily) isn't as impressive as hundreds of likes on selectively engaging and cool content published to your profiles. Plus, if you post so many times throughout the day on a daily basis you will find yourself running out of relevant content sooner than later.
DON'T: Forget to Return the Favor
Engage with your followers and people who interact with your posts across the social media platforms you're on. Like their comments, respond back with a quick, "Thank you" and let folks know you see them and appreciate that they're out there supporting you. Reply to messages and follow back, comment and like other people's stuff. It's a two-way street so make an effort.
DO: Take Advantage of Reposting Apps
Anytime someone posts a project, event or other occasion that involves you and your modeling career, repost it. There's nothing wrong with creating your own post about that same thing (as you should be doing) but reposting gives you that additional content to share with your followers.
Reposting apps not only do the work for you, it allows you to automatically give credit and exposure to the original poster, including their captions and hashtags (keeping the person's original captions and hashtags is optional when using reposting apps but I encourage including it, especially if the OP has a lot of shoutouts to people to give credit, including people you may not know or were aware of).
DON'T: Forget to Include Videos
A picture's worth a thousand words but adding video to your social media is a wonderfully effective way of engaging people with your brand and the activities happening in your modeling career in real-time. Keep it short and sweet and stay professional (no cursing or bad behavior). Keep it on target and related to your modeling and your followers will love you for it.
DO: Use Hashtags (Wisely!)
Love 'em or hate 'em, hashtags are the gateway to being found on various social media sites. If you want to be taken seriously as a model and promote your brand, you'll need to learn to love hashtags. Doing a post on Instagram or Twitter and not putting at least 1-2 hashtags will get you lost in the mix. Never post a picture without a caption, either. Always have some kind of text accompany your posts. Don't make people have to figure it out, even if it seems obvious. At the same time, don't go too crazy with listing hashtags (although it may happen from time to time). Hashtag with care.
DON'T: Forget to Give Credit Where Credit is Due
Models don't do it all by themselves. Anytime you're posting about projects, behind-the-scenes, gigs, whatever, take the time to properly credit the people involved (makeup artist, photographer, publication, etc, etc.). If you don't know their social media handle, ask them, or use a hashtag instead. Put a link to their website or profile.
Some form of acknowledgement of the team that helps make your post possible should be a priority. If it's just you posting a selfie for fun, then obviously this doesn't apply but for posts related specifically to the happenings in your modeling career, you need to give credit where credit is due. This alone goes a long way in professional courtesy and showing others that you value the time and efforts of those who helped make that experience a reality for you to share with the world.
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