How to Become a Male Model? (12 Tips)

Becoming a male model can take months or years depending on many factors such as location and physical appearance. As you’d expect, there are many types of modeling with each requiring you to follow specific steps. However, to get a foot in the door, you can follow these tips.

1. Develop your physical appearance

To get that attractive lean body, you need to get in shape. You need to take a balanced diet, removing excess oily, fatty, and processed foods from your diet plan. For this, you can consult a nutritionist and maybe get a personal trainer. There are several ways to get in shape.

For example, if you are a beginner, you can start with bodyweight exercises. As you build your strength, you can gradually introduce weights. Besides, there are many workout and gym apps available, not to mention the many online personal trainers.

How to come up with an effective workout routine

To have an attractive physical appearance, you need to follow through with your workout routine. Here is how to develop one:

• Access your fitness level so you can know which benchmarks to measure your progress. For example, you can measure your flexibility, body composition, muscular fitness, and aerobic fitness.
• Once you have a benchmark, it is time to create a fitness program. You should consider aspects such as your fitness goals, routine balance, progression, and recovery time. If possible, put the program on paper.
• Next, get the right gear. For example, comfortable shoes and clothes. You can also assemble beginner-friendly equipment such as dumbbells.
• Once you have everything with you, it is time to get started. Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity. Ensure to listen to your body and be flexible, since life happens.
• Finally, monitor your progress since modeling requires different body fitness levels.

Following these steps will help you develop and maintain a model-like physical appearance.

2. Take care of your skin

Modeling is all about your appearance. And as you’d guess, your skin plays a pivotal role. As such, you need to take care of it. While it might take weeks or months to achieve flawless skin, you can start with the basics. Ensure to take enough water to help cleanse and replenish your skin.

You should also use a face and body moisturizer. When going out, ensure to wear sunscreen. If possible, exfoliate once a week. This will help ward off dead skin cells.

Top skincare tips for male models

Besides wearing sunscreen, exfoliating, and staying hydrated, here are other ways to take care of your skin:

• Ensure to get at least eight hours of sleep. As you sleep, your body naturally repairs your skin while producing collagen. This helps increase blood flow to your skin reducing wrinkles.
• Cleanse your skin regularly. Cleansing helps remove sweat, bacteria, toxins, and bacteria. It can also help reduce acne. Look for cleansers with glycolic acid or salicylic acid.
• Avoid using soap on your face since it can alter the pH of your skin. It can lead to acne, dehydration, and inflammation.
• If possible, use sheet masks. Sheet masks contain anti-aging and hydrating serums that penetrate your skin. Wearing them for 15 minutes per day is enough to make your face look brighter.

Other tips that male models employ include massaging their faces, using clay masks, scrubbing their lips, and taking vitamins.

3. Research and identify reputable modeling agencies

To get your face in front of the TV, you need to join a modeling agency. But how do you find one? Well, your goal is to find an agency that meets your needs. Start by looking for those near you. Once you find a perfect fit, look at its clients, reviews, and talent.

Next, you need to send your submissions. Ensure to include everything they’re asking for. Most agencies will ask for a modeling portfolio or zed card. Your initial photos or videos don’t have to be of high quality. Ensure to be yourself and follow up after you’ve had a meeting with them.

There are many benefits of working with a modeling agency. The most common are:

• Safety and protection
• Career development
• Building a reputable brand
• Getting paid on time for the work done
• Frequent and better bookings
• Exposure to international markets

Ensure to consider a modeling agency’s customer base, locations, commission/fee structure, and reputation.

4. Build a strong modeling portfolio

As mentioned, stellar visual representation is vital for a male model. A portfolio helps distinguish you from others in the field. As such, you need to have an impressive website or social media account.

First, you need to decide your modeling type (fashion, fit model, promotional model, etc.). This will help you identify the outfit you need to wear for any type of photoshoot. Next, arrange a photoshoot with a professional photographer.

As a beginner, you might find it daunting to afford a professional photoshoot. You can therefore contact photography students or new photographers in the industry. Ensure to show versatility and flexibility as this is what most scouts and employers want.

Once you have an impressive portfolio, share it on different social media platforms. You can go the extra mile and start a blog to inject personality and add value to your portfolio.

5. Attend open cast calls and auditions

Open-cast calls are similar to auditions. One does not need the invitation to attend an open audition. Rather, you can show up at the designated time and location. It is through open cast calls that popular Evanna Lynch and Gabourey Sidibe were discovered.

The best part? Open auditions are advertised on agency websites, social media platforms, and newspapers. We, therefore, recommend following a few agencies to always stay abreast. As you’d guess, open-cast calls detail what they are looking for (height, race, age, skin tone, etc.)

While open cast calls can be daunting for beginners, there are several ways you can ease tension before you audition. First, ensure you know where the auditions will be taking place. To ensure you arrive on time, set an alarm at least an hour earlier. This will help you prepare adequately.

Take a light meal to avoid bloating and feeling hungry during the audition. Ensure to carry a bottle of water. Practice walking, speaking, and posing so that you are comfortable in front of the camera. Do not forget to plan your outfit and have your hair done.

6. Network with industry professionals

Like in any other field, networking plays a critical role in your success as a male model. Networking is not as complicated, in fact, all you need to do is start random conversations and build relationships. As such, you need to be nice to everyone you meet. If it is hard to talk to strangers, you can have a mutual friend introduce you to other people.

There are many places where you can network. For example, you can meet industry professionals at fashion events and exhibitions. It is easier to start a conversation with like-minded people, and such events afford you this luxury. Ensure to research the event so you can have ideas to start a conversation with.

You can also find professionals on model networking sites. You can also join forums where you can ask questions and learn from other models as well as professionals in the industry. Some of the professionals you need to network with include designers, photographers, and agents.

When networking:

• Avoid harassing individuals through social media.
• Use the correct channels to contact professionals.
• Avoid consuming excess alcohol as this might appear unprofessional.
• Listen more than you speak.
• Avoid phone distractions.
• Avoid asking for a job outright

It will take commitment and dedication to build a robust network. Overall, networking can help propel your modeling career in the right direction.

7. Attend modeling workshops and classes

To stay abreast of the competition, you need to sharpen your modeling skills and one way to go about it is to attend workshops and classes. They help you identify modeling trends, network with other models, as well as showcase your skills.

By attending them, you learn how to pose as a model. Beginner male models are taught how to pose for the camera. Workshops provide aspiring models with tips on how to stay healthy and look their best. For example, they can provide you with a workout routine and a diet plan.

As you’d expect, they give you access to professional photographers and designers. As such, you’ll have an easier time creating an impressive portfolio, since you’ll know what to wear for different shoots. Overall, you’ll have a better understanding of the industry by attending workshops and classes. This can help you avoid mistakes that most novice male models make.

8. Stay abreast of the latest fashion trends

To be a marketable male model, you need to stay up-to-date with current fashion and industry trends. Fortunately, there are many ways to be in the know. Let’s look at the most common ways.

• Fashion blogs: Fashion blogs provide male models with some of the latest outfit ideas and trends. There are thousands of fashion blogs where you can get a feel of where the modeling industry is heading to. You can follow your favorite fashion bloggers or models.
• Social media: social media is undoubtedly the go-to place for everything modeling and fashion. Models and industry professionals share their two cents on emerging trends.
• Newspapers and magazines: While not as popular as they were decades ago, newspapers and magazines do help you stay abreast of industry trends. For example, they’ll share the latest outfits and events.

As you’d expect, fashion trends keep evolving and this is why you need to stay up-to-date, to remain relevant. Luckily you can use blogs, newspapers, and social media to keep up with the changes.

9. Develop a unique brand

Anyone can become a model, however, to stand out, you need to have a unique brand. Clients need to identify you with a certain theme. With a unique brand, you can bag modeling contracts easily, accelerating your career significantly. As such, you need to strike a balance between your social figure and your true self. Here are ways to go about it:

• Social presence: Modeling is all about putting your face out there. Social media allows you to share your uniqueness cost-effectively. For a start, work on 2 or 3 platforms.
• Keep updating: As a model, you need to evolve as the fashion industry evolves.
• Create content: One way to build your brand is to write about whatever excites you. This can be tips on how to dress, exercise, or pose.
• Be real: Have a distinctive voice and let your talent and skills back it up.
• Focus on you: Finally, focus on your skills, strengths, and your audience.

Ideally, your brand should define your contribution to the industry, meaning you should have a stand.

10. Be professional

Having a pretty face and physical appearance is not all that it takes to be a model. Professionalism plays a critical role and can determine whether you’ll bag contracts or not. Ensure to be punctual for auditions and meetings.

You should also provide an official communication channel. For example, you can provide an email address or phone number dedicated to working. In addition, you should be courteous when dealing with clients and other models. This helps build rapport, which can be beneficial to your career.

11. Maintain a positive attitude

Like in other professions, you will experience highs and lows in your modeling journey. To avoid getting discouraged, you should maintain a positive attitude. For example, you should be ready to handle rejection healthily.

12. Improve your craft and skills

To stay relevant in the industry, you’ll need to continuously work on your modeling skills. This can include diversification such as taking different modeling roles. You can also aim for more challenging projects such as auditioning for international modeling spots.

Conclusion

These 12 tips will no doubt help you to start your modeling career on the right footing. Ensure to exercise regularly, stay hydrated, and attend modeling workshops.