Craig Thomson wrote:
So quick to pass judgment on such a nice and useful site, I bet if you ask you can get 100% of your free back.

I’m sorry, this was harsh and a knee-jerk reaction to the post.
I have maybe 15 emails from MM models open that are months old, I have another 15 emails from MM models that have gone cold. On the other hand I have 30 + emails with MM models that are open and active with collaboration for future shoots.

Which pot do I stir? The one that is boiling or the one on slow simmer?

John Ricard photography wrote:
I guess at that point I'm supposed to send ANOTHER email??!!? and we're supposed to go back and forth day after day?  I guess some people think model mayhem is another name for My Space.  I'm not looking for email pen pals -just models for legitimate projects.

Waves hello,   I'm interested in takin it to the next level.

Waves hello,

:he he:giggle:

CiaraK wrote:
I've had Photographers do that, so I guess it cuts both ways. With that said, I have met some great photographers on here and worked with them so it makes up for the few that waste my time.

I have had photographers contact me without leaving a phone number, so I will contact them with my email in the message.  Then they will not answer.  I have had photographers leave their phone number and then I call 3 or 4 times, leaving messages, and no answer.  So it is not just models that do this, believe me.

I guess some people think that being professional only means looking beautiful or taking beautiful photos.  I think being professional also means you do what you say you will do and don't waste time.  The same for photograhpers and models.

-Yuka

Chloe248 wrote:
I agree with Brian

If you dont like online communications, dont use a web based, message based, site. this is an Online Community.... actually Just like MySpace (Check out the Layout!)

So if it's annoying to have emails sent instead of phone calls, why not start your own phone based modelling casting calls. You might not know what your models will look like, but at least you'll get a call back.

John

Here's but yet another perfect example of the internet mentality.

You have work for me for which you will pay me, but you need to pursue me to put money in my pocket.

If it's any consulation, I have the same gripe.  But untill the children grow up and learn how to act like responsible adults, it the way of the internet world.

Brian Egendorf wrote:
...

If they cancel at the last minute or just plane evaporate and don't show... negative mark on their port. 
...
MainFragger/Brian

what kind of negative mark do u think is appropriate? lol i have a few to mark myself hehehehe:)

Olivia Hardt wrote:
If a model does that- that lets you know one of two things about her-
1. she didnt really read the the message
or
2. Shes very unprofessional
or both.

why would you want to work with a model like that anyways?

Or maybe the model is not comfortable giving out their phone number until they have talked things over a few times with a complete stranger on the internet.

Brian Egendorf wrote:
I think there should be a follow up system on these boards.  For example, if you send a model/photographer/mua/stylist/whatever an e-mail, they should have a week to reply to your initial e-mail one way or the other, if not, negative mark on a port rating..

This wouldn't work, as almost everyone would end up with a really negative score.

If I get a lot of unwanted questions/offers/requests, I can only imagine the sort of junk that the models must get on a daily basis. 

Answering an email is not requirement, just as you don't have to pick up the phone if you don't want to recieve calls from telemarketers (who often show up as local numbers).

If I had to answer my cel phone every time it rang, I would throw it away.

Likewise, if I'm a model who is recieving offers for work I clearly do not want, or am recieving emails from "GLD"s* (guys looking for dates) and am penalized for not answering them, I will leave the site in a heartbeat.

How about this, Let's use the system in a way that will actually attract people to our offers, and not make them think that we are just spamming them?

Everyone is looking for a reason to blame the system, or the models (or photogs), or the tools.

Since many of us use the system quite successfully, why do you assume it is the systems' fault, and not our own for not using it correctly?


* can I claim originating this acronym?  :-)

C R Photography wrote:
I blame Bush!

Who's bush are you blaming?? lol

John Ricard photography wrote:
Why any model would be "interested" in a project but NOT call

You have got it right.  If they are interested, they will call.  If they email, that implies just passing curiosity.

John Ricard photography wrote:
I joined this site about a month ago and so far, its been a big waste of time.  Typically it goes like this...  I browse the model pages until I find a model that may be suited for a project that I am working on.  I send an email to the model with breif details about the project and about myself and I ask the model to CALL if he or she is interested.

If a model does not respond, that is fine with me and I do not contact the model again.

However, if a model IS interested, I would expect the model to call so I can provide full details about the project.  However, instead of a phone call, I get email responses like, "I am very interested."

I guess at that point I'm supposed to send ANOTHER email??!!? and we're supposed to go back and forth day after day?  I guess some people think model mayhem is another name for My Space.  I'm not looking for email pen pals -just models for legitimate projects. 

Why any model would be "interested" in a project but NOT call to secure a spot as part of that project is totally beyond me...

If you'd like to see a sample of 4 email responses that are typical of the sort of responses I've gotten from this site, visit this link:

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/7795/mm4jz.jpg

Hmmm interesting.  Did you know that there are photographers on this site as well like that too??  Hell.....we can all point fingers I am sure DAILY.  There are bad apples in everything. 

Obviously....if you ask the model to call and she doesn't.  It's her loss.  Me...I think communication through the phone and email is very important and if even possible a meet up before the shoot.  Not all things can work that way...so the next best thing is the invention called the phone...or cell. 

If I were you..I wouldn't make a big deal out of it.  Of course, it is very unprofessional if a model does not contact you after saying she is interested.  Again...her loss.  But in the end....would you really want someone that doesn't follow through on his/her word to work with you on a project???

Plus...looking at the responses.  You would think that if they are interested...they may also want to ask some questions...possibly learn more about the project, the details....?  And all I see is..."I'm interested"...  OK...if I were the photographer I would wonder why they didn't want to ask me any questions. 

Again, not every model or someone you come across with on MM is like that.  Some are....some aren't.  If you are contacting them after they respond....then you are doing your part.  You can't make them do theirs.  It will catch up to them in the long run.  I know that some people should just reply at least..."sorry I am not interested" if they aren't interested.  I had to do that last night and once today already.  But...at least I respond either way! 

MM is not a waste of time.  It is actually a good resource for people and a good networking tool as well.  It is all on how you use it and the weeding of people that do not act professional.  I hope things get better for you.

xoxoxoxo
McKenzie

CristinaLex wrote:
1. some might want to see what type of project your interested in doing with them

Then ASK. Saying "I'm interested" doesn't help.

CristinaLex wrote:
3. its better to have things in writing about what is agreed on...what is going to be given for compensation...and also if the model kindly declines your current project but does want to work with you again...she can have those emails to look at for reference as to what yall talked about...

Agreed entirely. I always summarize in a note, especailly if we've only discussed it on the phone.

CristinaLex wrote:
6. and last but not least...it gives everyone an opportunity to see how business like you are...because no matter how bad i like getting emails about how good my pport is...how beautiful i am...my curves this ....LOVE IT....but some times those people who do come at me like that are photographers i talk to for the first time and it is not professional...

A request that says "phone me for more details" that's replied to with email does show how business-like you are. It says "I don't read" or "I won't follow instructions". I'm not sure that's the direction most people want.

I don't ask for a phone call until the outline of the shoot has been described and there's some interest has been expressed. But I do prefer that phone call at that point; some things are MUCH faster on the phone than via many many email exchanges. And I DO include a phone number in my emails, pretty much from the beginning.

I'm guessing that part of the problem is that your outgoing emails look like they are cut and paste/general offers.  You mention nothing personal about the model in your initial contact (why you chose her specifically, why you think she would be specifically good for this assignment, etc.).

Very valid point, but if the model feels that way then he or she should just ignore the offer -not respond with "I'm interested".

Since your email looks pretty generic, models are probably hesitant to make a phone call and reveal their phone number to a totally unknown (to them) person.

Several people said something like that in this thread, but I don't buy it.  It's a simple matter to block your number when you make a call or to make the call from a public phone.  Also, in my email I give my website address where the model can see my work and I also list several magazines that the model could check to see if I'm legit.  I would expect most of the models that I have emailed to already be familar with the magazines I listed and possible already have them in his or her home already. It's pretty easy to find out if I am legit.

No one wants to immediately call someone just because you wanna work with them...there are weirdos out there and i have called a few...neever again

This is totally illogical.  A model cannot post her image and email contact on a web that is "world wide" and then say they don't want to "immediately call someone".  You can't have it both ways.  If you're going to solict yourself pulbically like this you will be contacted by weirdos and legitimate people.  It only takes a few seconds to figure out which is which.

I appreciate the variety of responses here and I did read them all.  However, I think its odd that only 2 or maybe 3 people pointed out that the models are wrong in their "I'm interested" responses.  Most of the posts imply that the models have some justification for responding "I'm interested" and nothing more.

That's too bad as I know that a model with that type of work ethic will ever succeed in a competitive field like modeling no matter how unique their look may be.