How to Become a Model Agent
A model agent is a person hired to act on a model's behalf in obtaining and securing jobs. He works closely with the model on establishing the type of career the model wants and the sort of jobs she wants to pursue. Since, as an agent, you'll be paid only on the job that the model completes, you want to send the model out for as many calls as she feels comfortable doing.
Instructions
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Create a business plan for becoming a modeling agent. While this business is one that requires very little overhead when you are first starting out, it is still a business. You need to plan what kind of funds you'll need to start, how you'll get clients, how you'll network with companies that can give your clients jobs and how you'll support yourself while waiting for the initial income to come in for clients.
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Finance your agent endeavor. You can take out a personal loan, but it's probably smarter to keep saving while at your day job until you have enough money to pay for a few months' minimum worth of expenses while waiting for your clients to provide income.
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Establish a private cell phone line specifically for your agent work. You should use a cell phone as a beginning agent because you want to be accessible all the time, even if you don't have an office space. Being available to speak to potential clients and businesses who offer work to your clients is a must.
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Print business cards. The cards should be simple and elegant and state your name, the name of your modeling agency (if applicable) and your address, phone number (cell and landline), email address and, if you have one, your website address. You can simply choose to be an independent agent without naming your business separately.
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Acquire a client base. You may want to post an ad for clients on a website like Craigslist, but you will be flooded with the submissions of amateurs and those who are not serious about it. But you may also receive quality submissions as well from undiscovered talent. As a modeling agent just starting out, it's unrealistic to expect to book successful models at first. You want to go for clients who can grow to success as a model as you grow to success as an agent.
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Obtain composite shots and publicity shots from your models. Submit them to businesses that need models as often as possible. The more often you submit your clients for work, the more likely it is that they will book paying jobs. Never take a weekday off unless you really need to do so.
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Help your models develop portfolios. This can result in long-term success for both you and your model. Get two copies of each photographic shoot that the model does if possible. Keep one for your agent archives, and give one to the model for her personal portfolio and records.
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Make sure that the checks come in for your models in a speedy and professional manner. It's important that you remain professional for your modeling clients to keep their trust and business with you. You don't want to send your models out on jobs if you're not sure the companies are legit and will follow through on promised payment.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to meet as many people in the industry as possible. Networking is, for better or worse, a big part of show business.
Never become romantically involved with a client. That violates a code of conduct and professionalism that agents should adhere to when dealing with the models they represent.
