- For agents, models are a long-term investment. An agency will put forth a great deal of time and money to make sure their clients reach their top potential. Agents are involved in all areas of the model's career, such as training, booking, billing and---most importantly---contractual negotiations. They make their money through commission (between 10 percent to 20 percent), which is why they are so invested in their clients' careers. If models don't make money, agents won't, either.
- Being part of a top modeling agency is necessary to succeeding in the fashion industry. Because of this, numerous scam artists have developed ways to take advantage of aspiring models with limited knowledge of how the business works. A legitimate agent will put a model in contact with top photographers, public relations executives and marketing professionals---and he will never ask for money. Unsuspecting men and women who don't realize agents only profit from the work they obtain for their clients often fall for this ploy.
- It is often assumed agents negotiate contracts and then disappear into the woodwork. But agents work all stages of a fashion campaign. This involvement is a major asset for models who want to focus on modeling and not on the business side of the industry. The rewards can be extensive..
- For agents, specialties include high fashion, glamor, petite, plus-sized, child and teen, mature, male, catalogue, promotional, editorial and body parts. Agencies will often pair a model with an agent who matches their individual skill set. Some agents can also focus on a subset of the industry, like print or runway.
- Modeling agents are the glue that keep varying divisions of the fashion industry together. Without them, models, designers, and advertisers would have to do all the dirty work. Agents understand the business and what is necessary to be successful in one of the most competitive career fields.
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