5 Tips for Preparing for Your First Promotional Modeling Gig

Congratulations on winning your first promotional modeling gig! It’s time for you to show the promotional modeling world what you can do. But, if this is your first time working as a promotional model, how should you prepare? To help, Vantage Advertising has come up with a list of the five most important things you should do before hitting the trade show floor.

Hit the Books

This should go without saying, but the most important thing to do as a promotional model is to study the company you are representing. This does not mean simply reading the “About Us” section on their website. Dig in and do some major Googling. Find out what the company is all about, what they’ve been up to, and what consumers are saying about their product and/or services. This will prepare you to answer any questions that an attendee might have and keep you looking knowledgeable. Plus, by showing up knowledgeable about the company and ready to work, you are likely to get rehired. Here are some other ways to help you get rehired as a trade show model.

Another great resource for learning about a company is through their blog and social media pages. Read through their blogs and social media posts for an idea of how they communicate with their consumers and for important talking points to highlight during the show. Companies also love a bit of free press so tag them in your posts as you are on your way to the show or simply write on their wall that you are excited to work with them!

Ask Questions

Besides researching the company you’re working for, the second most important preparation tip is to ask questions. Review the event information that is provided to you and ask the promotional modeling agency any questions you have that were not answered. For example, ask the agency where you are meeting the client, if and when you need to pick up your trade show badge, and who to contact in case of an emergency. By asking every possible question prior to the event, you prevent confusion and miscommunication from occurring on the day of the event.

It is important to note that promotional modeling agencies are always willing to answer questions you have about the event. If they don’t have the answer, they will find it and get back to you. Remember, knowledge is power, so ask away!

Research the Event Location

When preparing for your first promotional modeling gig, it is also important to know where the event is taking place and how long it will take you to get there. This is especially important if you have never been to the location before or are taking public transportation. Once you’re familiar with the location and know how to get there, take a test drive to familiarize yourself with the area. This will prevent you from getting lost and boost your confidence on the day of the event.

Finally, always, always, always give yourself plenty of time for transportation and parking. You never know what the traffic will be like on the day of the event, so give yourself an extra 20-30 minutes to prevent yourself from being late. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, is worse than showing up late to your first promotional modeling gig.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep deprivation is a serious issue that can have dire consequences. Lack of sleep adds to stress, anxiety, and general malaise. Make sure to get 8 hours of sleep the night before the event and be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast the next day. If you don’t, attendees will notice you yawning, and the client won’t be happy. So, get to sleep early, and wake up well rested and ready to hit your first trade show as a promotional model! Remember, you only get to make a first impression once.

Plan Your Event Outfit

Finally, waking up the morning of the promotional event only to realize you don’t have khaki capris or, insert other clothing item here, is embarrassing, unprofessional, and 100% preventable. Review the attire prior to the event to confirm that you have the requested attire. If you don’t, ask the promotional modeling agency if another item is a suitable replacement. Most times, modifying the event attire isn’t a major problem as long as you ask prior to the event. However, if the attire is very specific and you don’t own it, either purchase it or do not take the job. Either way, it’s important to always show up to event with the correct attire.

With these 5 promotional model tips in mind, your first gig is sure to go off without a hitch! What other tips are important to keep in mind when preparing for your first promotional modeling gig?

Interested in becoming a promotional model? Sign up to become a promotional model today!