Read on to discover the biggest mistakes models make when emailing a modelling agency… so you can avoid them and give yourself the best chance of finding representation.
emailing a modelling agency
Seeking agency representation is likely to be one the first things you do as a model, and unless you’ve been scouted as a fashion model that first contact is most likely to be via email.
Unless you’re a freelance model, getting represented by the right model agency will be the key to getting booked for modelling jobs, leveraging their client relationships to find you work.
However, it’s difficult to know where to start and there are many rookie mistakes that aspiring models make when emailing a modelling agency that can hinder their chances of success.
We’ve pulled this list together from talking to some of the top modelling agencies in London – we’ve split them into separate lists for you depending on where you are in your career. This piece is for you if you’re emailing modelling agencies for the first time – if you’ve been invited to a face-to-face meeting then check out these f2f modelling agency meeting mistakes.
Use this article like a checklist before you email a modelling agency and you’ll avoid falling into the same traps other models have, and increase your chances of getting a foot in the door.
Mistakes to Avoid When Emailing a Modelling Agency For The First Time
emailing a modelling agency
Not Applying To The Right Agencies
It’s a waste of everyone’s time to submit to agencies that aren’t suitable for you. Every agency will have different requirements depending on who their clients are, so it’s important to select agencies that sign models like you.
(Want advice? Read more about our intelligent model matchmaking service)
Not Reading Submission Guidelines
Even if you apply to the right modelling agency, if you don’t read their individual submission guidelines you’ll give the impression that you’re unprofessional and don’t know how to follow instruction. Not the best first impression.
Read all guidelines carefully before submitting, and follow them to the letter. (You’ll find submission guidelines on the modelling agency website. Failing that, get in touch and we can advise you.)
Sending Photos That Don’t Look Like You
The cardinal sin when emailing a modelling agency is to send photos that don’t look like you. You need to update your photos regularly, to reflect any changes in your age, weight, size, hair colour or style. Also avoid sending heavily edited photos or overly made-up photos – the pictures you send should be a blank canvas, giving an impression of what you really look like.
Not Marketing Yourself Correctly
We’ve written before about the importance of knowing your look – and this is critical when emailing a modelling agency. If you’re 5’7 and 38, don’t send a pictures tailored exclusively to glamour. Work out what your look is and make sure your portfolio is designed to portray that.
As renowned casting director Mark Summers says, “stop trying to play 16 if you’re 30”.
emailing a modelling agency
Pigeon Holing Yourself
The other side of the coin when it comes to sending your pictures or portfolio to modelling agencies – don’t pigeon hole yourself. An amazing modelling portfolio needs to show your ability to play a range of briefs and styles.
If you send photos that don’t show your versatility, the modelling agency won’t be confident they can get you a range of work. Signing a new model is a commercial decision, after all – a modelling agency is assessing whether or not they can make money by getting you jobs with clients. If you don’t convince them of that, you won’t get signed.
Not Being Concise
When emailing a modelling agency, you should keep your email short and to the point. These are what you should include:
Name
Contact Details (Phone/Email)
Location
Date of Birth
Measurements
Skills/Hobbies
When it comes to measurements, female models need to include Height, Waist, Hips, Bust and Dress Size. Male models need to include Height, Waist and Chest.
Skills and hobbies are important not only because they give a sense of your personality, but because your specific hobby could be exactly what they’re looking for. For example, they might want a female model with horse riding experience. Don’t undersell yourself – you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity you could be perfect for just because you forgot to mention you’re a black belt in karate or a surfing whiz.
Unprofessional Email Etiquette
It might seem like a small thing but how you present yourself via email says a lot about how you’ll present yourself in person. Double and triple check your grammar and spelling and avoid overly casual language or you risk modelling agencies hitting delete before they even see your pictures.
Sounding Desperate
Wanting to become a model more than anything might seem like a good thing, but coming across as desperate is counterintuitive and unprofessional. Avoid phrases like ‘I’ll do anything to become a model”, or “I promise I’ll commit everything to this” and stick to a polite professional tone.
Endless Email Attachments
Mark gave us the nod on this one: endless email attachments simply won’t get opened. The top modelling agencies literally get hundreds of emails from aspiring models every day, and they don’t have time to do much other than skim and bookmark or skim and delete. Include your photos in the body of the email rather than attaching them and you’ll ensure they get looked at.
Not Following Up
emailing a modelling agency
Agencies get thousands of applications and sometimes an application does slip through the cracks. For that reason, we recommend that you follow up on your email with a phone call after 4 to 6 weeks.
When you call, say you’re calling to check that they received your application rather than checking whether or not you were accepted though as the latter can look demanding.
Sending too many emails
Sending a follow-up email is great, but sending a constant barrage of emails hoping for a response isn’t. It’s natural to want to hear back, but you have to recognise that model agencies have a limited amount of time and it’s not realistic to expect them to reply to everyone.
Harassing an agency is more likely to result in them slamming the metaphorical door in your face (dashing your chances of trying again later) than for them to realise they made a mistake and ask you in to meet.
Giving up or taking rejection personally
Saying that, sometimes things are just outside your control and it’s important to persevere if you want to build a modelling career. A modelling agency might have liked your shots, but simply not need a model like you on their books right now. Demand for your look might be low, or they might have just booked someone similar. It’s appropriate to reapply to agencies after 3 – 6 months.
Avoid these 11 rookie mistakes when emailing a modelling agency and you’ll be much more likely to get a positive response. And remember – even if you don’t, stick with it because persistence is one of the most important qualities an aspiring model can have.
About We Are Models: We’re a community of aspiring and professional models, top modelling agencies, renowned casting directors and high-end photographers working together to make the modelling industry safer, more transparent and more accessible for everyone. Check out our membership page here.
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