Your e-Portfolio and your look

Keep your e-Portfolio up to date with contact details such as email address, telephone numbers and so on. Remember, the Models Direct team need to let you know about new assignments, and we may need to let you know about changes to an assignment too.

Always keep in mind that our Model Co-ordinators use the images on your e-Portfolio to present you to clients. Make sure they are all up to date and reflect your current look accurately.

Factors such as hair colour, hair length and tattoos can make a big difference to your suitability for certain assignments. If you make a major change to your look between the time you are booked for a promotional assignment and the day of the event, please let us know. It can be embarrassing and difficult if you turn up on the day with a different look from the one that the client is expecting.

Confirming the assignment

If you are offered a promotional assignment and would like to take it up, make sure you let us know as soon as possible. If we don’t hear from you and time is short, we will have to approach another model instead.

Details of start times and even venue can easily change, so make sure you check your messages and email regularly, even after a job has been confirmed.

There’s no need to get in touch with any other Models Direct models, even if you know that additional people are required for the assignment. We will select and approach any other models who are required by the client.

Your clothes

Your Model Co-ordinator will tell you what you should wear to the event. Bring at least one change of clothes to the assignment – two if you can. This will give you a backup in case of accidents (tears, spills etc) as well as the option to vary your outfit if the client isn’t fully satisfied with your first choice.

Keep your look plain and simple. Avoid wearing anything with big logos or words, bold stripes or patterns or very loud colours. Earth tones and neutral colours are the best bet. Remember that the client might need you to blend in with their staff.

Typical outfits might be:

• For women: black knee-length skirt with white blouse or dress shirt; black shoes with a one- or two-inch heel; discreet ‘post’ earrings; understated, natural-looking makeup
• For men: smart black trousers; ‘classic cut’ shirt in plain white with no logos or writing; smart black shoes

Travelling to the assignment

If you’re setting off early in the morning, prepare everything you need the night before: a printout of the assignment details, a map (if required), your clothes (including spares) and so on. Get an early night so you awake fresh and ready to perform.

Make sure you have our number in your phone, in case you need to call us.

Arriving late is highly undesirable. Make sure you can travel to the venue in good time for the start of the assignment. If you think you might not be able to make it, you should not accept the assignment. Arriving late will jeopardise your chances of getting further assignments in the future.

Give yourself plenty of time and take a map, particularly if you’re travelling to an unfamiliar place or a bit city. Remember you can print out maps and directions for free at Google Maps – you don’t have to buy a map book.

No-shows

If you can’t make an event, please let us know as soon as you can. The only acceptable reasons for failing to turn up are genuine emergencies such as serious medical problems, family crises or major, unexpected transport disruption. If you fail to show up without letting us know, you will not receive any further assignments from us.

Arriving and checking in

It’s always best to arrive early for promotional assignments. The extra time will give you a chance to meet the client and get to know the other models you’ll be working with. You’ll be able to ‘warm up’ so you can be fully prepared to start working as soon as the event begins, as well as using the bathroom and checking your look before you have to start meeting people.

When you arrive, make sure you are checked in by the client. Find a member of the client’s staff and announce yourself, so they can make a note of your arrival. If you don’t check in on time, you might end up being marked down as having arrived late.

During the event

Follow all the client’s instructions fully and completely. Remember that they are paying for you to do the job in the way they want, and to wear the outfit they choose. You should do everything they ask – unless it’s something unsafe, or something you’re genuinely uncomfortable with.

During the event, you should always be:

• Considerate. Be helpful and polite to the client, their guests and other models.
• Friendly and welcoming. Take the initiative to start conversations, and smile as much as you can!
• Professional. Keep your conversation on topic, avoiding controversial subjects, gossip and bad language. Stay calm no matter what the provocation.

Remember, the client will be anxious that their event goes well, and will be watching what you do very carefully. If you do well, they may ask for you to work for them again.

Switch your phone or pager to silent mode, or switch it off altogether. It’s best to ask the client if you are allowed to keep the phone on you while working. Texting or using your phone while on assignment is not allowed.

At the end of the assignment

Promotional assignments are quite long – usually six to eight hours, or even more. Always be prepared to stay for longer than the event officially lasts. Don’t arrange anything immediately afterwards, and aim to make transport arrangements as flexible as possible.

You shouldn’t leave the event until you are released by the client, unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you need to leave early for an unavoidable reason, contact us or, failing that, raise it with the client.