Professionals in every field often hear about the importance of networking with others, but what does that mean? Essentially, networking involves making friends with those within your career field. For models and aspiring talents, this may mean connecting with other models, fashion designers, photographers, and magazine editors. Establishing these kinds of professional associations are often vital to your career, especially as you begin to pursue your dreams.
Why Is Networking Important To Models?
The benefit of networking for a model is that it presents the opportunity to develop connections that will be useful in advancing your career. A photographer may remember meeting you and recommend you for a modeling job that requires talent with your body style. Similarly, other models may hear of opportunities that would better suit you. The more you connect with industry professionals, the more opportunities they will present to you.
Where Do Models Network?
You can network anyplace that fashion industry professionals are gathered. Some examples may include fashion shows, after-party events, and exhibitions. As you find out about an event, take the time to find out if there will be a particular theme, who will be attending, and any other relevant details. This can help you prepare for the event, so you can speak intelligently about topics that are likely to be discussed.
Choosing Potential Networking Contacts
Many events will be filled with potential contacts, so how do you know who will benefit your career the most? The short answer is that you don’t. Your goal should be to meet and exchange contact information with as many people as possible. If possible, ask for their social media information, especially Facebook and LinkedIn information, so you can connect online. This will help you forge stronger relationships over time that will be mutually beneficial to you and to those with whom you connect.
In addition to learning about new career opportunities, networking will help you find out about new events of interest. You may even receive personal invitations to attend events from other models or photographers. Each event you do attend should be viewed as a new opportunity to network with others. Even if you’re not a social butterfly, making the rounds at these events can help you meet important decision-makers in the modeling and fashion industries.