Freelance Model's Guide to Making it in the Industry

Are you short, tall, standard, or plus-sized? Your appearance will determine how you need to market yourself to get paying work. Never apply for something that you do not fit the criteria for because it will be a waste of both your, and the casting director's, time. You need to focus your efforts on garnering work that your look is good for. Fortunately, the entertainment industry has such a broad need that there's more than enough work for any look out there, whether it's preppy or alternative.

You must also know your strengths and talents and how to play to them. You'll find competition for a gig less strenuous if you make it known to the client that you have indepth knowledge of their product, or are familiar with working the type of event that they're recruiting for. Anything that sets you apart from the crowd can be an asset given the right situation.
2) Have Ambition!

What do you want to do in a year? A month? A week? Setting a goal and working toward it should be something you're already working to acheive. Take a look at what you want to do over the long term and then examine how you can reach it in the short term through several smaller goals. This could be as simple as getting a tearsheet in a month, to as complex as making a living in the entertainment industry. Ultimately, your goal should expand your career making it easier for you to garner more paid work.

You should also never believe that any one person is going to "make your career." The reality of the entertainment industry is that you alone are responsible for your success. Not an agent, manager, or publicist. You cannot anticipate that someone will "find you," or that a "big break" will occur changing your life forever. Those who are successful in the industry will often cite that it was a million tiny "big breaks" that made them who they are. This is your life, you should take control and go for it, as we say in the industry, "Go big, or go home!"

3) Remain Professional.

Whenever you're interacting with a client you should always maintain a certain level of decorum. This person is your boss despite how inform the circumstances might be that you meet them. You need to show up on time, and be ready to work the minute you arrive. Being attentive and following directions as given. You should never date a client, respond negatively to a client or customer, and/or walk off a event as this will seriously damage your reputation and ability to receive work in the future. No matter what you might see on TV and in movies, modeling and acting are real jobs. So if it wouldn't be considered acceptable in a normal workplace then you shouldn't consider it here.

4) Exceed Expectations!

So you've gotten the job because you have the right look, skills, and you've behaved the right way. What else is there? A lot more. If you want to get re-booked by this client or get more work in the future, you now need to "Wow!" them on the job. What does this mean exactly? It means providing more than their minimum standards of service.

Clients are hiring you to represent their company and brand. How you interact with potential or future customers is a reflection of them. By having a strong work ethic and offering excellent customer service your expanding their market through positive interaction with their audience. It's these interactions that can make or break a new product, so how you respond to possibly negative situations is crucial. By providing the best experience possible you're selling the product and yourself, and that is worth rehiring.
5) Be Gracious.

You should always be grateful. Thank the Casting Director for their time because not all auditions are open calls. Thank the client for considering you for the event because a lot of people never made past the initial cut. Thank your agent or manager for representing you because there's going to be people who won't.

This is an industry of opportunity and you should not only recognize that, but be grateful for each and every one you have because not all "No's" are "Never's", they're often "Not right now's". However, having a negative or positive attitude can certainly sway anyone's opinion. Always leave a good impression and people will want to work with you in the future.