Coming from a model, I’m going to tell you how to become a commercial model, the requirements, how much commercial models get paid, and other useful model tips!
Discover how to become a commercial model in a fashion industry full of opportunities!
Break into the industry earning more money than runway models or editorial models.
WHAT IS A COMMERCIAL MODEL
A commercial model is a female model or male model who helps brands promote their products through:
- Advertisement
- Print and Television
- Social media
- Billboards
- Commercials
- Campaigns
Commercial models create content with small and large brands on projects that companies can market to their audience.
You’ve seen models on packaging, posters, and on websites modeling for your favorite clothing stores and shopping websites, right?
Maybe you’ve seen brands or products related to:
- E-commerce
- Ulta
- Target
- H&M
- DSW
- Amazon
- Hair products
- Home Décor
- Electronics
Backstage Casting Call 2022
Salary Increase
In the beginning when I signed to a commercial modeling agency, my salary was a minimum of $80 per hour or $150 per job.
Because I was signed to a small boutique agency,
I booked most of my jobs with local clients
so my salary rate was lower.
Once I became a familiar face with casting directors and clients, my pay rate and job opportunities increased.
I booked a hair job after 4 months of being signed to my agency
Payment Rate: $175 [for the whole day]
$450 was how much I received.
I was shocked when I opened the check!
My rate increased because the images were going to be reused for an extended period of time; and for other marketing platforms.
As a signed model, your model agent will negotiate your rate based on factors like:
Your experience and modeling the product or service
How often the advertisement wil; be used
How the advertisement will be use
- Billboard
- Commercial
- Social media
Social media following now plays a huge role in your compensation as well.
Independent models get paid anywhere from $50 to 3,000 dollars or more.
I know this because I use to be an independent model before I got signed.
The websites I found jobs on would list the compensation price.
It’s possible to make pretty good money.
If casting directors are seeking a family for advertisement, then the pay rate can go up to $5,000 dollars or more.
Family Commercial Jobs like,
Vacation commercials – Disney cruise
Minivan/Jeep commercials – Road trips
- Holiday commercials
- Home appliances
- Meal prep service
Relaxed Type Of Modeling
Unlike Editorial modeling, commercial models aren’t required to have a standard height requirement or strict body measurements.
Commercial models relate to consumers (buyers of products) because they have a common body type, hair type, height, and facial structure that a lot of people favor.
Although it’s easier to become a commercial model than an Editorial model, the type of modeling still requires a male model or female model to practice their talent.
That’s if,
you want to further your career and beat out competition from other models, actors, and influencers.
Invest in yourself:
- Stay in shape
- Practice your poses
- Work with photographers
- Update your portfolio and resume
ENHANCE YOUR APPEARANCE
- Hair Trim or color
- Eyebrows
- Skin-care Routine
- Open Calls even via IG live if possible
- Auditions
Body Type Requirements
If you’re someone who doesn’t meet the standard height requirements to become a fashion model, then commercial modeling is for you.
Your hip size, weight, ethnicity, age or height won’t stop you from becoming a commercial model; nor will having tattoos, piercings, blemishes, or braces.
Remember, commercial models have a common approach.
They display an appearance that can be relatable to the majority of consumers.
A model should have:
- Great smile
- Most important feature
- Well groomed
- Decent skin – fading blemishes are fine ( gradually work on reducing them)
Your skin should be average to clear. I’ve known skin-care companies to request models to try products that will heal their problematic issues.
In return within 3-6 months of using the product(s), the model will book an advertisement job with the company and give a testimonial about how the products cured their skin issues.
Kendall Jenner Example
Proactive Commercial of Kendall Jenner giving a before and after testimony about her skin
ON SET ETIQUETTE
Commercial modeling involves an extremely happy personality.
As a commercial model you’re smile and happy facial expressions are what gets you booked for jobs.
While on set, a working model is always having fun.
The articles of clothing are colorful and have movement; or the clothes are fit, chill, and may include graphics.
There’s always a wide range of accessories, shoes, and products to use for different types of shots.
Often, you’ll be modeling with other models on set too!
Not to mention good food and drinks are served at commercial photoshoots!
Age Requirement
The advantage of being a commercial model is that the age can range from:
Newborn to over 80 years old
People of all ages are looking for ways to solve a problem and enhance their life.
The best models to help brands promote are those who can promote a product or service, that’s in demand for their age group.
How To Become A Commercial Model
Google search something like:
Commercial modeling agencies near me or modeling agencies in [Insert City or State]
The results will come pouring in, and from there you’ll visit the websites and apply.
But don’t just stop at the list of modeling agencies on the first page of google.
That’s how you miss out on smaller commercial agencies that can help you get your start.
Search through as many google pages as you can until you no longer see modeling agencies,
or modeling agencies start repeating.
Freelance Commercial Model
If you’re interested in becoming an independent model, and you want to enjoy the benefit of keeping all of your earnings
START
- Networking with photographers – Free and Paid shoots
- Take model digitals
- Search gigs
- Audition or submit online
This is easier than it seems.
In the beginning, I was able to book jobs with a small amount of modeling experience and knowledge.
There’s many websites and social media pages that provide job listings for commercial models.
Visit ↳ LedomStyle_Mentorship
Just make sure you’re following legit accounts and websites!
Jobs For Commercial Models
A commercial model is CONSTANTLY working.
There are many jobs available for both independent models and signed models.
Signed models get sent to castings and auditions the moment they sign to the modeling agency by their booker.
Independent models can apply online for jobs or attend castings and auditions too!
You’ll book jobs more frequently as an independent model if you build a portfolio, of at least 6-12 images.
Here’s a brief summary of the type of modeling jobs:
Newborns – Toddlers will promote:
- Diapers
- Baby food
- Food storage items
- Furniture
Ages 5–35-year-old models will promote the latest:
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Make-up
- Hair Products
- Skin-care products
- Cars
- Electronics
Ages 21–40-year-old models will promote some of the same but also:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Athletic supports – braces • safety guards • bandage wraps
- Exercise equipment
- Contraceptives
- Events and Entertainment products
- Life insurance
- Retirement plans
Age 40 and over will promote some of the same but also:
- Health and medicine
- Mobility and disability products
- Food and recipes
- Appliances
Brand Ambassador
Hear me out,
marketing currently revolves around social media.
Whatever talent you have, make sure you broadcast it on social media.
Not an everyday, if you can’t.
Try to upload at least once a week!
As you know, using your social platform to help you get scouted to become a model let alone a commercial model, is a quick way to success!
Submit digitals or portfolio images through:
- Instagram DM
- TikTok Hashtags
- Modeling agency website
- To model scouts by their email
- Attend Open Calls
- Instagram Live Open Call
One Management – Top modeling agency that holds open calls on Instagram!
Follow Them: www.instagram.com/onemanagement/
Worldwide Traveling
Commercial models have the opportunity to travel within the city they live in; while also having the opportunity to travel across the country, let alone internationally!
That’s for both: Independent and Signed models
In my experience, Fitbit offered to pay for my travel to Los Angeles plus my salary!
Not all the time will this luxury happen.
Sometimes you have to pay your own airfare and hotel stay.
With the right job, you should make that back and some extra from the compensation you receive for the job.
Other times,
the modeling job may not pay that much, but the publicity will help further your career and spark attention from other brands.
From there you’ll experience an increased pay rate and more opportunities!
It’s like the fashion industry:
Runway typically pays no more than $150 on average
BUT
the publicity you get from walking shows sparks the interest of the fashion industry!
Famous Commercial Models
You can be a famous commercial model easily based off of:
- Social media following
- Your agency’s connections
- A model agent that works hard for your success
- Your work ethic – agents can only do so much!
- How relatable your appearance is to consumers
- Booking certain jobs
Average people like you and I typically get our start by applying to modeling agencies that have a commercial division.
Influencers do commercial modeling and get paid based off their following on social media.
They too had to build their online presence in order to get recognized, and you can do it too!
Emma Chamberlin started off on YouTube making relatable content.
Now she has an exclusive deal modeling for Louis Vuitton, and also works with:
- Vogue
- Tmrwmag
Raven Elyse is a YouTube influencer who’s specializes in home decor, food delivery services, beauty, mom vlogs, house flipping, and other relatable niches.
Raven gets paid nicely just by working with brands like:
- Hyundai – luxury car brand
- Target
- Walmart
- Iherb
- Daily Harvest
I’m sure many other brands too!
Start As A Commercial Model
You want to make a living doing something that makes you feel and look good.
Becoming a commercial model doesn’t involve strict height requirements or body measurements.
To become a commercial model, you have to have a smile and personality that is marketable to an audience!
To have a standing or lasting impression on the modeling industry:
- Keep your appearance together
- Practice your talent
- Actively seek modeling jobs
- Have confidence
- Have somewhat of a social media presence!
If you have any questions about commercial modeling, comment them below.
I’ll answer back quickly!!
Hi Im interested in being a freelance model
Please contact me through the ‘contact’ page or mentorship form. Talk to you soon!
Hi am really intrested in being a cmmercial model ..am in kenya..please consider me
Karibu! You can email me at Temperance.m@ledomstyle.com