Answering a Reader Question #598

Anonymous Wrote:

 Hey D,

Thanks for the great info so far. I wanted to ask if you might be able to go further into the agency selection process. More specifically what to take into account when selecting which agencies you want to be with and apply to and then if and when receiving offers how to go choosing an agency and not hastily signing with one before opportunities with others have arrived.

I am in NYC are there are of course all the huge agencies and tons of smaller ones and I am a bit lost as to where to start in the application process.

Also on another note what do you think about incorporating as a model? As in registering an LLC (or equivalent) for a modeling career. How would one then sign with an agency as an entity?

Thank you in advance for your help! ;)

Hi, Anonymous!

Below are links to blog posts I've written that address the subjects you mentioned...it should give you much better insight into the whole process of applying to agencies:

Easy Ways to Tell If a Modeling Agency is Worth Looking Into

Applying to Modeling Agencies is Like Applying to Colleges

What You Should Look for In an Agent

Signing That Contract!

I do recommend submitting to all of the agencies you meet the requirements for around the same time. You don't have to submit to one at a time and then wait for their decision before submitting to the next choice. By sending out all your submissions within the same time frame, it makes it much easier to keep track of.

Doing this also decreases the likelihood of being stuck in a situation where you've got offers but are still holding out for your top choice. Never hold out for any agency if you have quality offers in front of you, especially if those include top names. If you aren't getting any bites from the others, it's important to explore the opportunities in front of you at that time. Once you've gone to an interview and met with the agency staff, you'll have an easier time making that final decision as to whether or not they'd be right for you. Trust your gut.

I wouldn't really advise incorporating yourself to try and enhance or boost a modeling career unless you're an established professional model and know what you're doing. An agency doesn't want to jump through hoops or obstacles in order to work with a model. Signing with a modeling agency is what will give a model his/her exposure and the opportunity to become successful. If an agency sees that a model is incorporated, they might be turned off because they'll probably be wondering what you need them for if you went so far as to incorporate yourself.

I'm sure there are models that have done this but I don't know of any off the top of my head who did it first before signing to an agency. I don't think it would particularly be of much help unless you planned on expanding your career choices in modeling to things like becoming a fashion designer, entrepreneur, etc.

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