I thought it would be great to share these "tips" I've learned about modeling.  Some are more applicable to one model than to others, but they are all good to remember for both the novice as well as the seasoned professional:
 
20. Everyone talks in this business.  Like it or not!  So if you're professional, you will be known as a professional.  If your reputation is poor you will not work very much.

 
19. Market and promote yourself.  Don’t wait or rely on anyone else to do it for you.  No one can market or promote you better than YOU!  Promote yourself all the time.  You’ll receive tons of clients and jobs on airplane flights, etc. coming to and from jobs. Many jobs are from the people you meet.
 
18. Have more than one agent unless they can guarantee in writing in your contract that you're going to make over a 6 figure amount per year.  Always do independent work as well.  Don’t always rely on an agent to get all the work for you.  You can get tons of work on your own independently.
 
17. Seek out good photographers to test with, when your starting out.  Have a variety of looks in your portfolio.  When your first start out, test, test, test!  Trade pix for time.  If you're already a professional model then test only with photographers who have a pending paying project that they may be interested in using you for, or if you need a special look in your portfolio for your agent or client, trade pix for time.  If you need a special look for your agent, your agent should pay for the prints from the photographer.  You shouldn't have to pay a photographer for a test shoot.  Usually the photographer will supply you with a few prints in exchange for your time.  If you need enlargements you may have to pay the photographer for them.  I don't advise using one photographer's work in your comps/zeds or portfolio.  Have as many photographers as you can in your portfolio.  If a photographer says he or she will do your whole portfolio or comp for you and wants you to pay them for it..... run.... that isn't how it works.  Never have one photographer do all the work.  Usually a portfolio has about 15-20 photos and the most you should have from one photographer is maybe 2 shots in your portfolio.  The same for your comp, never have more than 2 photos from the same photographer on your comp cards.  If you have found a wonderful photographer who doesn't test but you would like to shoot with, then yes you will have to pay them a fee to shoot you, but again... do not use more than a few prints of that photographer's work in your portfolio or comp.  If you would like to do a test or a shoot with a renowned photographer there may be a charge, these photographers are recommended by agents.
 
16. Promote yourself on the Internet.  The "net" is the future and you can make lots of contacts online these days.  Go to bulletin boards and seek out contacts and promote yourself through posting your photos.  Get your own web page and use it as a portfolio to market yourself.  There is nothing wrong with marketing.
 
15. Attend model shoots, expo's and conventions to network with others in the modeling field.  However, do not pay more than $50.00 for any convention or expo.  Model Shoots should always be free for or you should be paid for some of them.  Model searches should always be free as well.  Any model search that charges is always to be avoided.
 
14. Watch out for scams!  Dont waste your money on scams.  Never pay any scout, agent, photographer, manager, web site etc... up front to promote, sign or get you in the business.  You do not need to go to modeling schools!  I never recommend them.  You could spend the money in better areas then schools.
 
13. Do not limit yourself to just one market.  If there is one market you prefer over others, then be the best model in that market.  Do not limit yourself to doing only high fashion if your capable of doing other markets.  If you're a shoe model be the BEST shoe model.
 
12. Get some business cards.  Treat this just like a business not a hobby.
 
11. Go to all your local agencies and photographers and introduce yourself.  Find out what kind of prints they need from you to get you work.
 
 
10. Maintain a detailed resume of your work and keep it handy to show potential clients, agents and photographers.  Even if it gets to be long, it shows your working and marketable.  In this business, more is better.  One of my clients saw that I had cut down my resume at one time to make it faster to read and was upset that I deleted their company from my resume.  I immediately put back the detailed full resume.  So if people think my resume is too long, well I don't want to offend any of my previous agencies or clients by removing them from my resume.
 
9. It's who you know!  That means NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK!  A shy model is a model who doesn't work.  Self-confidence and maturity are a Big Deal.  REMEMBER.... IT IS WHO YOU KNOW!!
 
8. Be realistic about what types of modeling you can really do.  If your 5'5 and 120 pounds you will find it very difficult to be a fashion editorial model, but you may be able to do glamour modeling or depending on your weight or measurements you can find other markets to model in.
 
7. Always have your hair and makeup professionally done when doing shoots, even tests!  That is very important!
 
6. Live near a big city, or near a city that has the market that your able to expand in.  Location! Location! Location!
 
5. Never get an ego, attitude or the 'model lingo' vocabulary.  It will show.
 
4. Keep a good wardrobe, make-up, hair products, props, shoes in stock and "in your car" at all shoots and tests!
 
3. Avoid slamming, backstabbing of other models, photographers and agents.  Everyone talks and it will get around that you are a gossip and backstabber and you will go low on the lists for work.  Many models slam other models to try to get themselves more work but it will always come back in the end.
 
2. Be a professional all the time.  PUNCTUAL, considerate, respectful, kind, get the job done, no whining, no gossiping, show up when you have been scheduled to show up.  Call to verify your sessions and communicate.
 
1. Here is what NOT TO DO!
a. No Shows; might as well get out of the biz, word about it gets around fast!

b. Egos; leave your ego at home

c. Unprofessionalism

d. Gossips
 
Hopefully these tips will help get you off to a great start in your career of modeling. Good luck!