Being a model manager sounds like a lucrative career and in reality it is! The travels, booking beautiful models for events, attending prestigious international events and being a part of the limelight sounds interesting. However, like all other careers, it takes effort, time and dedication to become a reputable manager. To complicate it even more, the horrifying tales of modeling agencies abusing their models makes model management a tough job to uphold. On top of the skills, experience, and expertise of your job, you have to prove you can be trusted to take care of models without exploiting them.
Interested in taking up Cosmopolitan model management as a career? Here is a simple guide that can help you get a feel of how the career looks like.
The Job Description
A model manager essentially focuses on the career of his or her models. This involves keeping in close touch with model agents to ensure they are at par with the dreams and visions for the model. Managers juggle between preparation of models for the industry (including hair and make-up, having their professional photos taken and doing castings), placements of models with the right agencies, preparation of travel documents, contracts, visas and handling of all negotiations on behalf of the models. Model managersmay also scout and introduce models to the industry but their responsibilities lie more on the management side of their careers.
The Importance of Networking
Cosmopolitan model management goes beyond having the necessary skillset; you have to be a good networker to make it in the competitive industry. To work well with all aspects of your models’ careers, you must have a long list of contacts for agents and photographers. Get as many of these as possible. Attend all industry events and pick out the leading players then strategically align yourself with them.
Wages
Managers earn anywhere between 5% and 20% of a model’s wage. You’re aggression and negotiation skills will determine just how much you walk home with. The more money your clients make, the thicker your account will be. Marketing and financial skills will also make or break your career as a model manager. In fact, many managers who don’t have modeling background often come from financial, legal, and marketing backgrounds for this reason. So, while it is not always necessary, you need to understand the ins and outs of contracts as well as strong business acumen to survive in the industry.
Becoming a model manager has its fair share of challenges but the rewards are worth every ounce of energy. If you do your job well, you can join the long list of managers making fortunes in the industry, year in year out.
