Published: 2nd Apr 2020
Like it or not, social media is everywhere. Whether you use it, value it or you’re largely unaware of it, social media is constantly in newspapers and on television. 1994 saw the first social media seed planted, and by the mid-2000s it grew into a phenomenon. With the likes of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter forever gaining momentum, social media shows no signs of letting up. It’s an excellent platform for free marketing, and without it, businesses can be left behind.
Of all industries, the modelling world is arguably the one which gains the most exposure (we’re not allowing “reality celebrities” industry status). A simple update on Instagram can be seen by millions of followers – after all, modelling is very much a visual industry, and Instagram is the ideal place for viewing the most recent image updates.
We live in an instant society; we want things now, and social media provides us with immediate access into other people’s lives. Most of the latest modelling trends are known before news stories or magazine articles are published. If you’re in the modelling business, social media is seen by many as not just important – it’s essential. Actors, writers…even politicians – they all take advantage of social media’s coverage, so it seems obstinate to refuse its services.
Modelling and social media simply go together. Take a look at our social media platforms. Many models use Twitter and Facebook for advertising new products, while Instagram is recommended for overall fashion – including clothes, hairstyles and mascara. One look at the numbers of Instagram followers tells its own tale: as of mid-February 2020, Kendall Jenner had 123 million (M) followers; Gigi Hadid 51.7 M; Cara Delevingne 44.3 M; Chrissy Teigen 28.2 M; and Gisele Bundchen 15.7 M. These figures may raise a few beautifully-manicured eyebrows, but the more you put into social media the more you’ll get out of it. If you’re starting out as a model, be realistic. You’re not going to achieve follower figures to the extent of the supermodels. Slowly build up your platform, and don’t let your social pages go stale. Keep up-to-date with the latest fashions, maintaining your blogs in a professional manner.
A word of warning, though. For all its advantages, social media has a habit of undoing all the beneficial work if you abuse the system. Any post can be taken the wrong way, or any photo can be seen as controversial. No one is immune to the odd email / Tweet / photo taken out of context (politicians – are you listening?) The best advice is to pause before uploading your post, and ask yourself if it’s likely to cause offense. If in doubt, don’t post it. It’s your livelihood, after all, so there’s no point tarnishing it with a moment of madness. That said, any publicity is good – it just depends on the exact content. Racism (even as a “joke”), sexism, religious slurs or graphic adult images are unlikely to work in your favour – leave them out.
Use social media to your advantage. Treat it with respect, have fun, but keep your professionalism intact at all times. You’re sure to prosper, and it’ll only get better.
