You always see models – on tv, in magazines, on the internet, in movies, commercials, ads, etc; but behind every great model is an agency. Top models out there are backed up with great modeling agencies. This is when you’re likely to think that if you ever come to sign with any highly regarded modeling agency your career would be set as you might have always dreamed of. But have you ever tried to figure out what modeling agencies actually are , how they work, or make money? Modeling agencies work differently from one another, with different fees, commission structures, and management techniques - though they all follow similar best practices.
Modeling agencies perform as small independent business and a lot is determined by the market wherein they run and the agency’s personal and the owner(s). One of the most common problems that often seem to bother individuals in the world of modeling is the fact that there are still a number of scam and rip-off agencies in the industry. As most new models don’t have much knowledge about the operation of a modeling business, they often turn out to become easy prey for scam artists and cons.
The #1 purpose of a modeling agency is to find better work for their models, and in turn for themselves. Their responsibility is to perform as an agent or representative. As an agent they search around and negotiate the employment contracts for the talent or model. Normally, they charge models with a certain fee or a specific percent of what a model earns throughout his/her modeling. This percentage often ranges from 10 percent to 33 percent. The rules and regulations regarding a modeling agency vary in several states, and across North America. In some states, it’s possible for anyone in the country to get started with a modeling agency business without having to meet any legal formality but there are also certain states where it’s illegal to start modeling agencies without having a license for the purpose.
When looking for your agency, find signs of business best practices, like those promoted by the Better Business Bureau of North America, or other organizations as implications of their validity in the industry.
This information has been brought to you by Max Agency, a premiere modeling agency located in Toronto, Canada.
