The Blog
How to Afford Models for your Product Shoot
Certain products just look better when a person is interacting with, using, applying, or wearing them.
S
o what do you do if model fees are a bit of a stretch financially?
This is a common issue for growing product businesses, and I’ve got some affordable methods of getting people into your pictures to share with you.
Discounts or Freebies
Everyone loves a good discount or freebie, models included! Offering some enticing benefits for your products might persuade someone to model for you at a reduced price or even for free.
Collaboration
A photoshoot can be mutually beneficial for you and a model. Reach out to somebody whose work you like, and tell them you’d love to do a photoshoot together. If you offer something back to them, like a refreshed headshot, they might be excited to work with you on a quid pro quo basis.
Micro-Influencers
Macro influencers have very large audiences and are often costly to work with. But micro-influencers who have a smaller, but still strong following will often exchange product exposure for the ability to have photos to use on a website, blog, or social media. A lot of bloggers these days are even carrying around their cameras with them and able to take a couple of good photos that you could use. Micro-influencers may also be up for some cross-promotion.
Incentives
Yes, straight up gifts sometimes work, too. Even something as small as a Starbucks gift card can make someone feel like you’re giving them something for their time.
Friends
Don’t forget about your friends! Sometimes we’re a little shy about putting our businesses out there, but remember that your friends are your biggest cheerleaders. And since they share some similar interests with you, your friends will likely be the kind of people who would actually use your product. Reaching out to connections in your community and mom groups might also help you find available and affordable models.
So with all of this said, I want to be clear that I am most definitely not discrediting the modeling industry by giving you these ideas. I work with quite a few models, and they have amazing looks and are on-point when it comes to knowing how to handle products. And professional models definitely make things more efficient during a shoot. However, for those business owners who are still in the early stages, the above suggestions are great options when you aren’t ready for the additional costs of professional models yet.
And speaking of businesses that are in the early stages, I’d love to help those of you who are there with my Creative Boss Method. This resource is also great for those who feel like their brand is stale or needs some more momentum and intention. My friend, Kayla of the Ivory Mix Stock Shop, and I designed this series of workshops to cover the ABCs of business all in one convenient place. So if you’re ready to build and fine-tune your business for success in the new year, join us!
Share this post:
Recent Posts:
0 Comments