VLOG: Tips to Keep Your Modeling Clients Coming Back

As we all know, repeat business is good business. Once you've impressed a client the first time around, it makes their decision a lot easier as to who they'll want to consider for other projects down the line. 

Not only does this mean money in your pocket but a surefire way to establish a solid reputation as a model everyone should work with. 

Below are some easy tips to wow clients every time and keep your name in their mouths (in a good way) long after you've clocked out.

TIP #1: BE ON TIME!    

"Early is on time, on time is late and late, you're fired."

I have lived by this motto my entire career and it has never failed me. In fact, it isn't unusual for me to be at a gig before the client. To be praised for something that should be common practice says a lot about how other models conduct themselves.

Arriving 10-15 minutes early affords you the opportunity to prepare mentally for the work ahead. Who wants to get to a gig late, stressed out and feeling rushed?

Are you chronically late all the time, no matter where you're going? Then you're going to have to step up your game. Make a concentrated effort to set your alarms earlier, heck, set your actual clocks for 30 minutes ahead if you need to. 

Whatever it takes. If that's too much to ask, then your modeling career isn't going to get very far.

TIP #2: ARRIVE PREPARED

No client is going to have you in the dark when it comes to what to bring or how to prepare for the gig you've been booked for. Whatever instructions/guidelines you receive, follow it to a tee. If you have questions or if there's info missing that you need, reach out asap to whoever your contact person is to get answers. 

If you're told to arrive "camera ready," that means your hair, makeup and wardrobe is done and you're ready to work once you get to your gig.

Received wardrobe requirements? Don't wait until the last minute to put together the options you have. In fact, all the stuff you need to bring to the shoot -- if asked -- should be organized, packed and in your car the day/night before. 

Knowing everything is where it's supposed to be will ensure you not only arrive on time but decreases any chance that you might forget something important.

TIP #3: STAY IN YOUR LANE

I don't care if you've been modeling for years and have seen it all -- never arrive to a modeling job acting like you have all the answers and are the smartest person in the room. That'll only guarantee you'll be the most obnoxious person in the room.

Newbies: it's okay to be inexperienced. Clients have likely worked with models of all experience levels and if they know you're fairly new to the game, they'll instruct you accordingly. No one is going to expect you to have it all figured out so don't let intimidation cause you to make mistakes that could easily be avoided.

Sometimes we try to be helpful by offering advice or chiming in on certain conversations. But there might be times when that isn't necessary, although your intentions are good. In most cases, it's best to just stick to focusing on what you need to do as a model and having casual conversations that don't center on you trying to tell someone how to do their job.

If something changes that wasn't originally on the agenda, don't complain and make a fuss. Go with the flow and be flexible. Putting together any kind of production/shoot/show is stressful and involves a lot of moving parts. 

Don't contribute to the client's stress by becoming difficult to work with. Chances are, you aren't the only one being inconvenienced so be considerate of others.

TIP #4: BE NICE

Seriously. It's terrible that I even have to say this. I've been on too many projects where I saw models acting like divas or simply not know how to be kind when speaking to others. I've been doing this for a long time but I will never act like I'm some superstar who can talk to and treat people any way I want. 

Being nice goes such a long way. Saying, "Please" and "Thank You," not only shows people the caliber of your professionalism but who you are as a person overall. 

Who would you rather work with: the model who is rude, condescending and acts like everyone there is doing him/her a favor? Or the model who is pleasant, kind and that you feel totally comfortable talking to?

It irks me when I see certain models still get booked despite their bad attitude and in cases like that, it is what it is but I will always advocate for being nice. To me, that's what makes a model the "total package."

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

TIP #5: LEAVE THE DRAMA AT THE DOOR

Is it helpful to vent and let out whatever's bothering you? Sure, it's healthy. But there's a time and a place for such conversations and being onset isn't it. Even if something happened right before you walked in, evaluate your emotions and do what you can to push past it, refocus and put your energy into the work.

Even if you know the people you're working with, sometimes jumping into a venting session or recounting the latest drama in your life can alter the energy of the environment around you. It's safer to avoid any kind of drama or toxicity altogether by not addressing it.

Wait until after the work is done and you can properly let your hair down and speak freely. Ideally, the client won't be around, of course. You want to be remembered as being polite, professional, easy to work with and fun. You don't need to showcase other aspects of your personality that could cause a client to feel uncomfortable (or unfairly judge you).

The key is to get them to hire you again so leave the drama where it belongs: outside of the job you've been hired to do.

TIP #6: ASK BEFORE YOU POST!

One of the fun things about social media is being able to share all aspects of your world, including BTS moments. However, it's crucial to first make sure you have permission to take photos/video and to post them online.

Never post content from a modeling job unless you've been given the green light by the client or whoever is in charge of the project. It's ideal to ask before you pull out your phone. Businesses have competitors and some things have to be kept secret until the finished product is out.

Don't be the one to let the cat out of the bag prematurely. This can lead to very serious consequences and definitely won't guarantee you an invite to return for future projects.

Put your client's needs before yours in this instance. If they tell you that you can take BTS video/photo but you have to wait until they say it's okay to post it, accept it without complaint. Needless to say, if you've signed an NDA for the project, that automatically means you are not allowed to take photos/video or share it. 

Breaking an NDA is a huge no-no. I don't care how many followers you're trying to impress, always honor contracts/paperwork.

TIP #7: THANK EVERYONE AFTERWARDS

I've been on modeling gigs where models left without saying a word to anyone. It was the definition of awkward and, unfortunately, whenever I think of those individuals, I automatically go to the disappearing act instead of the actual work they did.

Don't be that person. It isn't "sucking up" or "being extra" to acknowledge the people you've worked with with a simple, "Thank you." It's common courtesy and goes back to the notion of being nice. In addition to verbally giving everyone their props, it doesn't hurt to network and follow each other on social media.

If you feel compelled to send an email to the client afterwards to briefly thank them for selecting you for the project, that's totally fine, too. But keep the message short and sweet. And don't be afraid to remind them that should they ever need your services again, that you'd be more than happy to oblige.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Practicing the basics when it comes to presenting yourself as a fun, dependable and professional model is what makes for the best reputations in networking circles. Even the largest modeling markets are tight knit. Whenever your name gets brought up, you want nothing but genuine, positive comments to be part of those conversations.

When people know you're a joy to be with in a professional setting, it will do the majority of the work for you and make it that much easier for them to determine who they'll want to book for future projects, as well as develop an ongoing working relationship that could lead to even bigger and better opportunities for your modeling career.