Answering a Reader Question #454

Luke Wrote:

 Dania, is it possible for a small/not very known agency, to give you great and excelente jobs? -- What modeling website would you suggest for me to publicize my composite/portfolio? Those websites are competent? Better than being managed by agents?

Hey, Luke!

Small agencies have the potential to get their models the same high caliber/well paying clients and jobs as medium and larger sized agencies. Many "boutique" agencies have their own roster of clients they regularly work with.

The advantage of being smaller in size as an agency is that they can work one-on-one with each model to ensure they're being marketed/promoted properly, instead of just being another "face" on an agency's list who may or may not get the attention they deserve.

It sounds like you're more interested in freelance modeling (acting as your own agent). If that's the route you'd rather pursue, the websites you can use for resources will vary based on your location. Model Mayhem (www.modelmayhem.com) is an online social networking site for those in the modeling industry. You can network with photographers, casting directors, upload your portfolio pictures and comp card, as well as search for paying work (for free) using their Casting section. It's also free to join as a member.

Casting sites would be your next best resource but again, the best/legitimate ones are in the larger markets/locations. For example, in California, there are the casting sites SFCasting.com and LACasting.com (among many others). Each of these sites specifically focus on alerting models and actors of opportunities that are relevant for the Northern California or Southern California area. New York also has its own score of casting sites. You don't need an agent to join casting sites and these websites are not agencies themselves so there is no contract to sign or commission taken out of your pay.

I would advise avoiding national casting sites like ExploreTalent and others like it, which offers casting opportunities from across the country. While it may seem like a good idea to have access to so many castings, the fact that they are not location/market specific to where you are means a much lower chance at actually booking a job, not to mention that you're in the same competition pool as hundreds of thousands of other people also registered on the site. Hope that makes sense?

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