Instagram has allowed for many aspiring models, to reach a certain level of fame and interest which demands attention.
Whether it be from PR companies, in-dependant labels or the general public; if you’re one of these individuals (someone who doesn’t fit the cookie cutter model mould) the more likes and the more followers you obtain, the more you’re seen in the public eye as someone of ‘influence’.
Which means eventually, you’re going to have to find some sort of influencer management; either under an umbrella of a modelling or PR agency, or otherwise negotiate and coordinate the work yourself.
The benefit in finding an agency, is that it gives you a form of street cred’ and you don’t have to deal with the back and forth’s on emails; coordinating briefs and negotiating payment. You can solely concentrate on your career, creating content and getting your name out there on social media.
It also helps that these agencies tend to have strong ties with various publications and clients to which you might not previously have had access too before. Likewise, you’ll find that most labels and PR companies go straight to agencies as opposed to reaching out directly as it’s a one-stop shop. They know they’ll be able to secure at least one influencer out of the twenty or so they represent (perhaps even working at a discounted rate if they secure multiple) meaning you’ll have a higher chance of booking the job.
The problem with this however, is that you loose a bit of control and miss out on building those client relationships. Some may say you even become lost as agencies represent multiple individuals and continue to take on new talent.
Going alone however, is a whole other ball game. You have to be organised and smart about how you work with clients so as to not tarnish your reputation. Being on top of your emails, pitching to clients, coordinating briefs and chasing payments as well as producing and submitting content can prove difficult if you’re not on top of it.
Representing yourself to a certain extent, also leaves you quite vulnerable; blindsided by the excitement of a new client or incredible opportunity, you might find yourself been taken advantage of. Where the client has included a few unruly clauses in your contract; perhaps they’ve slid in a few more deliverables or extended the usage.
Nonetheless, it’s all a learning curve. Like many models before you, all have changed agencies at least once. Learning as they go and figuring out what works for them. In the end it’s all about relationships, building and maintaining them so that you can maximise their potential.
