Once upon a time, being a successful model meant looking the part, turning up on time, and posing in whatever clothing or with whatever accessories the job required. Today, though, most successful models also market themselves via their social media profiles, chiefly Instagram. Knowing how to use your grid to reflect your personal brand is crucial. With the rise of sponsored content, many models also use IG as another avenue for work. It can be big business: top model Kendall Jenner can reportedly charge brands US $1.75 million per sponsored Instagram post.
So, how do you become a successful Instagram model? Follow our step-by-step guide.
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An Instagram model is one who conducts at least some of their modelling work publicly via the social media platform. Kim Kardashian, Tammy Hembrow, and Katy Perry are just some of the top names who regularly use the site. Perry uses Insta to promote her shoe and drinks brands, as well as plug reality show American Idol, on which she’s a judge, and her collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana’s Devotion perfume.
As an image-led social media site, it’s great for showcasing fashion and beauty and offering followers behind-the-scenes access to your life.
Savvy models control the images they share of themselves on the platform. Some monetise their content by charging companies for posts geared towards selling products while enhancing their own brand. Just look at Cara Delevingne parading a Carolina Herrera clutch bag while staying true to her quirky sense of humour.
Having a strong personal brand can help you stand out in what can be a crowded marketplace. Take a look at the grids of the models you admire. What makes them individual and attractive? Model Chrissy Teigen often shows her home life with musician John Legend but is also very honest and funny about the reality of being a wife, mother, and top model. Gigi Hadid’s feed, on the other hand, follows her glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle and her campaigns for brands like Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.
Many Instagram models also set themselves apart by having a clear aesthetic. Take a look at the grids of models like Jen Selter, who focuses on fitness posts; the fashion-centric shots of Miracle Watts; or the bleached-out colour palette of top Aussie model Gabriella Brooks.
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Brands often pay top Instagram models to promote goods and services. The size of your following usually dictates how much you can charge for posts. Instagram is still the go-to platform for brands, with 72% of marketers reportedly choosing it.
According to Hopper HQ, model and mogul Kylie Jenner can earn US $2.3 million per Instagram post. She has a fan base of over 400 million followers – that’s a lot of customer eyeballs for paying brands.
Jenner has also leveraged her following to drive sales for her own makeup brand, Kylie Cosmetics. Posting makeup tutorials and high-quality product videos, she cleverly uses Instagram to sell products.
Insta modelling is hard work. You really have to put in the hours, posting frequently and often outside of traditional work hours. Content that engages with your followers needs to be box-fresh, live, and in the moment. They want to see you strutting the red carpet as it happens, not 12 hours later. Plus, since IG rewards those who engage with their followers, you’ll need to like and reply to comments for your posts to be shown to more people.
Also, you need to play by the rules. Paid posts need to be flagged as such using hashtags like #ad and #sponcon.
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1. Know your brand
Knowing who you are and what sets you apart is crucial to successful Insta modelling. Define your style – be it high fashion or streetwear – and use your grid as your own personal magazine or shop window.
2. Be relatable
Giving your followers a taste of who you really are will help you attract the right brand collaborations. Consider using humour to highlight your personality. Being relatable and authentic will get more followers than simply looking good in a designer outfit.
3. Engage your following
See your posts as a way of engaging your audience. A great photo or video is just the first step – you also need to get your followers interested and talking. Your captions should be chatty and friendly, asking questions that lead to interaction. For example: “Do you like this outfit?” “What’s your favourite makeup technique?” “What are you up to this summer?”
Let your followers into your life and ask them about theirs. Use emojis, polls, question stickers, and filters to get the chat flowing.
4. Network
Start making connections with people who may be able to further your career. Follow the models, photographers, and agencies you admire and want to work with. Find authentic ways of tagging them in your posts. If you have a photo you’re particularly proud of, pinning it to the top of your profile will make sure more people see it.
Use hashtags to get attention: #modellife, #modelling, or #instamodels are popular, but you’ll be competing with huge amounts of other posts. Think about the contents of your post and use a more specific tag to highlight it. For example, if you’re trying a new braid or hairstyle, why not use #hairmodel?
5. Refine your profile
Think about your bio at the top of your profile. It’s where you’ll define yourself professionally in a few short words, so it’s important to get it right. A good bio should tell followers why they should follow you. It can be playful or serious, depending on your brand image. Including outside interests can be an appealing personal touch, while noting any representation (if you’re signed with an agency) will help you look professional.
6. Keep your content fresh
Remember, Instagram is a visually-led social media site. Really think about how, when, and what you post. Make sure you utilise the channel’s full potential by posting photos, reels, and stories, or broadcasting an Instagram live. Making a reel or short-form video – putting on your makeup or choosing an outfit – is a great way to get people engaged. Think outside the box – or grid, in this case!
7. Think before you post
Be careful not to post anything you might live to regret. Inappropriate photos, controversial opinions, and coarse language can all come back to haunt you, so think twice before posting. Instagram can be a great extension of your modelling career, so take it seriously.