How Much Longer Will the Promotional Modeling Industry Last?

I have had this thought for a while but I've been thinking about it more and more lately. Are we working in an industry that is slowly dying? For example, an agency that I worked for just let their whole Chicago staff go today. The past couple years were slowing down for them and it came to the point where it wasn't worth it anymore. I know that I have mentioned the job posts that I see on social media, the pay is incredibly low. I still receive emails of job invites from other agencies and the pay is $16 - $20. How can anyone in a big city survive on that? Being a promotional model costs money. We are expected to be educated, beautiful, and have a promo ready wardrobe. In return promotional modeling agencies offer $16 per hour?! No way! Years ago when I first moved to Chicago I was making a ton of money. I would book back to back trade shows and make thousands of dollars a week. That isn't possible anymore. I deal with clients and they all have different budgets but I think many of them are unaware that promotional models should be paid well. I'm not giving up on this industry yet but I do think it is slowly dying and may not exist in a couple of years. The end of experiential marketing is near. Team Pink Avenue

Work for Agencies That Respect You!

My friends have been posting amazing things to blog about this week! Thank you! A friend posted this article yesterday and I have seen it before and have the same thoughts about it. I feel like this article is based on common sense but I see how others will disagree. There are different types of people and some of us are nice, empathetic to others and want to treat people with respect. Sometimes money gets involved, egos get big, and priorities change. Even though the audience of this blog is catered to promotional models working events and trade shows it still applies. I have worked with well over 50 promotional modeling agencies in the past and I learned a lot of them are awful. They don't pay on time, they don't communicate unless they need something, they ignore your emails/texts and they disrespect you because they feel like you are beneath them. I can say from experience that I made more as a model than anyone made working a 40 hour week in a marketing/promotional agency. This article basically says that people leave because they feel that they aren't treated properly. Why would you work for someone that over works you, doesn't appreciate your work and doesn't respect you. The worst type of leader is the type that dictates orders and doesn't participate. I want to learn from my boss not be bossed around. Know that you should be treated with respect in your work place and you should enjoy going to work most days. http://www.businessinsider.com/why-people-quit-their-jobs-2015-7 Team Pink Avenue    

Pick Your Promotional Modeling Agencies Wisely

The promotional models are at it again on social media. Today I saw a post on the Brand Ambassadors of San Francisco that talked about all of the new companies popping up. It's true, I have seen so many new companies the past couple of years but most of them don't last. You can only get away with screwing over the talent for so long. With new companies comes trust issues and of course payment issues. It is relatively easy and very affordable to start a promotional modeling agency. I think some are more trustworthy than others and that is what makes an agency great and long lasting or unfair and temporary. The main priority when it comes to a promotional modeling agency should be the promotional models, you can't run an agency without them. The post today was about working with unknown companies and having to fight for payment. We all know that you can make great money in this industry but sometimes you don't get that money for 90 days, and sometimes you don't get that money at all. Fighting for your money is annoying and happens way too often in this industry. What is happening is these agencies are booking clients, then booking models and not paying them, they are keeping the money and sadly get away with it. I wish there was a simple situation to this problem but there isn't. Promotional models want to work events and trade shows and they want to work a lot. My only advice is to stick to agencies that you know and have worked with in the past. Do your research! Ask other people in the industry if they know of the agency offering work, google them, the more you know the better. Be smart! Good Luck! Team Pink Avenue