I was just modeling for a friend for fun, and it turned into something I loved doing and had a huge passion for, so I decided to pursue it part-time. After doing a few things here and there, nothing serious, I decided that this is what I love and want to do it full time.

Of course, that means making a full time income to supplement my current full time income.

Any advice from models (or others) on how you made it to a full time model?

Anything is appreciated!

Take it seriously. Never get complacent and always try to improve. Apply to casting calls. Promote yourself actively. Build a rock solid reputation. Find a selling point, something unique that nobody else can do.

The competition is tough. If you're not working your ass off, you best believe someone else will.

Be nice, kind and polite. This is a people business.

In general,

...  Be realistic.  Very few models earn a significant amount of money, and for those that do, very few have long careers.  Have a contingency plan.

...  A modeling business is 10% modeling and 90% business.  Pay attention to getting & improving your business skills.  Some skills you may consider:
     ---  Negotiation
     ---  Accounting (including what is & is not tax deductible)
     ---  Marketing & advertising
     ---  Scheduling
     ---  Networking
     ---  etc.

...  No matter how good you are, you will eventually saturate your local market.  Learn how to take modeling trips.  Start small -- maybe travel with a more experienced model, travel in states close to home, and never leave home without enough $$$ to get you back home.

Good luck.

Modeling means several things.

One, be realistic about what you fit into, and what you are comfortable with.

Two, be prepared when you shoot. Know how to do your own make up and hair, without a stylist. Have your basics in your bag, and take anything else shoot specific, you think you will need.

Three, be nice, be positive, and above all else, be reliable. Photographers often invest a fair amount of money to do their shoots, and they want reliable models.

Fourth, learn the basics of business, so you can learn how to handle your business and taxes. The tax man is a real pain, but you have to know how to deal with that, as a self employed person. Keep excellent records of your expenses. Take a cottage business accounting class, if you can.

Realize that traveling, means you must have reliable bookings, to come out, on travel expenses. Try to minimize your expenses when traveling, by getting a free spare room provided. Motels and meals are two of your largest expenses, if you can minimize those costs, you are ahead of the game. Plan for obsolescence of your vehicle if you travel by car.........which is the practical way to do it, shooting along your route, as many times as possible.

It isn't going to make you rich.......but you might be able to make at least as much as you could in a boring day job, if you are good at working the business.

Know your local market.........and what you can and cannot get there. Hint....learn all you can about the country music potential, which should be obvious.......but often it isn't.

Thoughts for newer models seeking to go full-time:

A lot of useful information is at New Models.

The Self-Made Model: Success Without Agencies

Model Safety

3rd list Mentor in Modeling

Welcome to the Mayhem

Good ways to network are:

Post an availability notice letting people know that you are available (under the casting/travel tab). This is for when you want to charge money. You can offer trade as well.

Search for Casting Calls in your area based on criteria you select. Post a Casting Call letting people know about an idea you have and want to put into a work of art. This is for when you are willing to pay other people. You can offer trade as well.

Search or Post Casting Calls and Travel/Availability Notices
Official Casting Call Rules - Read
Find the talent and resources you need on Model Mayhem

Browse for photographers in your area and leave comments on images you like, send a friend request or message. Start a list of photographer's photos that you think are top notch for photographers in your area. This can become something of a Rolodex. Make sure that you select the Advanced Options and select an appropriate Logged in within:. I typically use 30 days, but you may want people who respond faster. Otherwise you will get photographers who haven't logged in in over a year. There are a lot of inactive accounts.

Make an announcemnet. Look on the front page for members offering comments for comments, and comment on their photos. Also make an announcement yourself.

Post a bulletin by going to My stuff > bulletins. Friends can see the bulletins you post.

Be active in the forums, but avoid trolls who start threads just to watch the ensuing flame war. Avoid threads that beat the over GWC's, flakes, escorts, ..., etc. Make positive constructive comments. Whenever you get published, add some new photos, or accomplish anything in general, post an announcement in the Accomplishments, Achievements and High Fives forum. When people see your forum post the first thing they see is your avatar. It has to be interesting enough for them to want to click on it and look at your portfolio.

Share your other accounts on the Social Media User Name Sharing Thread.

Rinse and repeat.

Good luck in your search!

Avoiding Scams: The Basics

Modeling Scams

Thoughts for newer models seeking to go full-time:

A lot of useful information is at New Models.

The Self-Made Model: Success Without Agencies

Model Safety

3rd list Mentor in Modeling

New theLIST & Top Drawer help Newbie Models

How to use the Model Mayhem forums

MM FAQ

And of course you must memorize this entire list MM Smiley List