What Is A Promotional Model? // Promotional Modeling 101 // Promotional Models FAQs

Promotional Modeling FAQs

What is a promotional model?
A promotional model, also known as a promo model or brand ambassador, is a person hired to provide direct interaction with potential consumers in order increase demand for a product, service, brand, or concept. Product knowledge, personality and presentation are essential to being a successful promotional model.

What type of products or companies do promotional models work for?
Promotional models can be hired to represent a variety products, from different companies in a myriad of industries. This can include beverage companies (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), car companies, electronics, consumer brands, energy drinks, cosmetics, special events, apparel companies and many more.

What type of pay does a promotional model earn?
The pay for promotional modeling will vary, depending on the client and also the model. Standard rates across the industry generally start at $15.00 per hour, but can go as high as $50.00 per hour. Average rates fall between $20-25.00 per hour. Higher caliber models with more experience, a solid portfolio and excellent performance are usually the top earners.




What are the requirements to be a promotional model?
Promotional models must have an attractive physical appearance, as their image reflects on the brand or company he/she is representing. And while there are no industry standard height or weight requirements, most companies opt for taller and/or proportional models as they tend to command more attention. Additionally, promotional models must be approachable, have excellent people skills, be able to speak intelligently about a brand or product and have a professional demeanor.

A high school diploma will be required by most companies however, many prefer to hire promotional models that either have a college degree or have obtained some college coursework. Other aspects of working as a promotional model will include a minimal amount of administrative paperwork, managing pay & expenses, recordkeeping and tax reporting. Having a cellphone and a computer with internet access will also be essential to finding promotional work, applying to jobs and communicating with hiring companies.

How does one get started as a promotional model?
The first step in getting started in any type of modeling is to get professional images. It is important to remember that modeling is a profession and one that relies heavily on appearance. Just like a doctor needs a license to practice medicine, models need photos to market themselves to potential clients. In addition to professional images, non-professional photos (also known as snapshots, candids or digitals) may also be requested on occasion, depending on the company. This gives the hiring company a better idea of a model's natural appearance. However having clean, commerical images taken by a professional photographer will still be necessary in almost every circumstance. Cellphone photos, bathroom photos, nightclub photos, risque photos or any photo in poor quality or poor taste should never be submitted for modeling jobs. Professional images should be updated at least once a year, or as your appearance changes.

Once a basic set of professional images have been obtained, aspiring models should research and apply to various promotional modeling agencies, or companies that specialize in hiring promotional staff. Each agency or company will be different with regards to their application process, but most will allow you to submit an application online. Additionally, most promotional agencies hire their talent under a non-exclusive agreement that allows you to work with multiple agencies concurrently. Be sure to verify each company's policy beforehand, but working with several agencies allows for more available jobs.

Once hired by a company, it will be important to ensure excellent performance at each job and that it is completed successfully. Companies will not consider promotional models future work if they were late, unpleasant, unreliable, unprofessional, had poor appearance or caused problems during the job assignment. Also, networking with other promotional models and industry professionals helps remain current on future jobs and industry practices.