Secret #1 Visit Stores in Your Area that Carry or Specialize in Plus Sizes
First, start compiling a list. Go to www.yellow.com to search for local companies in your area. Think of all the companies you know of off hand. Then ask everyone you know what places they can think of. Keep adding new stores to your list each day.

Not only will you get a full list but you’ll be networking and getting the word out to people that you are looking to become a Plus Size Model (and as you know “word of mouth” is one of the most powerful and free methods of marketing on the planet!).

Once you have your list ready, you’ll then be ready to start contacting these companies.

Ask the manager if they do runway shows and/or use print models. If they do, write down the name and phone number of the person to call in their advertising department who is in charge of hiring the models.

Call them and ask if you can get an appointment to see them. Be sure to bring a comp card or other photos of you with all of your contact information and statistics on the back of each photo. If they don’t make appointments, find out if you can send them your comp card.

Take Action! Go to www.yellow.com and find five (5) companies that carry Plus Size clothing to add to your new list today.

Secret #2 Create a Website with Your Photos and Contact Info
Your first online step is developing a website. You can do it yourself for free or you can find reasonably-priced designers to do it for you.

I’ve hired A LOT of Web Designers in the past. I’ve found it very frustrating to find someone who is creative, technical, gets the job done in an efficient manner AND doesn’t keep you hanging!

It’s best to find designers through referrals. Make sure to see their previous work to make sure they are qualified and YOU like their style.

You should look at websites of other models. Make notes about what you like, and bring all these things to the designer when you’re ready to go online.

Email me at info@howtoplussizemodel.com with the Subject: Web Designer Needed and I will be happy to give you the contact info for my “web guy” Vernon who is one of the best Web Designers I’ve found. He charges very reasonable prices with a quick turnaround. He’ll design a top-notch site for you, too.

You will also want a simple method for uploading your own pictures unless you want to keep paying the designer for modifications. One of the most valuable features in having a website is that it is easy to keep very current.

A blog format is acceptable, provided you have a means for the thumbnails; or you may wind up with a database-driven site.

To get an idea of a Blog (which Vernon set up also) check out mine at:
www.nancyhayssen.com/blog

To set up a FREE Blog (in 5 minutes or less) go to: www.blogger.com

You also want to create and maintain a great picture portfolio online. It’s the best thing you can do to ensure that you stay accessible. You want to get jobs as a Plus Size Model. So you need to be in-your-face all the time with potential employers.

Once your portfolio is together, you should have stills ready in a physical package to send out, and the same stills on your website.

Always include your website on your business cards (don’t have any? Get them now!), and include a business card in your physical portfolio package as well. If you have clips, they belong in your physical package; links to online photos of you can go into your online portfolio.

Your pictures will look different online and offline. That’s a plus; having both available to someone interested in hiring you enables them to get a clear idea of how they can best use your talents.
Once your site is up, invest in a good promotion package. Ask your designer for advice before he does the site; if he’s worth hiring, he’ll have some good advice for you regarding promoting the site as well.

Vernon, the efficient guy I work with is constantly giving me ideas to improve my site for better visibility and ways to make it graphically more beautiful. He’s full of creativity and enthusiasm with great work ethics!

Once your site is together, look through it and make sure it reflects the things about you that you want to promote. If it does, go live. Promote it yourself by including the URL address on your business cards and in the signature line of all your emails.

Directory listings and search engine optimization are both critical tools for boosting your site’s position in Google and other search engines.

Take Action! Get a Web Designer to start your site today. Start off with a basic site to get started. This will get your face out to the world instantly. Email me at info@howtoplussizemodel.com with Subject: Web Designer Needed for Vernon’s contact info.

Secret #3 Consider Doing Some Volunteer Modeling to Get Experience and Exposure
Many local companies and non-profit organizations put on fashion shows as part of their fund raising. Check your local phone directory for organizations near you and ask them if they ever put on fashion shows.

Be flexible for anything. Think outside the box. Could you teach local businesswomen how to walk a catwalk for a special modeling event? The more flexible you are in how you use your modeling skills, the more likely you will be to get exposure doing it.

Read your local paper religiously. It will tell you everything that’s going on. If you find a charity event you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to call and ask about volunteering. Few will tell you no; most will eagerly accept your help.

If you can’t find local events that appeal to you, consider organizing your own. It’s a lot of work, but as the leader of a successful charitable event, you instantly have status. And you’re guaranteed the lion’s share of publicity when you do it.

Take Action! Call your local Chamber of Commerce and get a Calendar of Events in your area. Find out when the next fashion show will be in your town. See if they are using Plus Size Models. If not, suggest the idea! Tell them you will volunteer your time, the Plus Size Modeling industry is hot and you think it would go over well at their show to show some real women with real bodies showcasing the latest fashions.

Secret #4 Go to as Many Casting Calls as Possible in Your Area
Watch Craigslist for casting calls. If you haven’t been to this amazing site, it’s a must! Go to: www.craigslist.org and start your search in your city.

You’ll find tons of casting calls… and the best part is- the website it totally FREE for you to use! I’ve landed numerous jobs from replying to posts of Craigslist whether I was living in San Francisco, New York or LA. And by the way, they have expanded to so many cities now that there is bound to be casting calls where you live.

If you don’t find any in your local area, try looking in the largest city near you. Often there are ads placed in the larger newspapers under Auditions.

When you begin to think like a businesswoman, you’ll keep in mind that you will create opportunity wherever you go. Start being creative and bold.

Besides looking at casting calls online… head to your local department store and make it your own casting call! The are always looking for new models. Contact the ones in your area, and see if they have an upcoming catalog, or who to speak to about work in their sales fliers. You may need to speak with a few different people, but don’t give up.

And remember this: no matter how beautiful or talented you are, it will take that perfect opportunity coming round to make your career. Opportunity does knock more than once, despite the old saying; but it knocks very, very quietly. Learn to hear that knock, and open the door wide.

Take Action! Go to www.craigslist.org right now and search for castings in your area. Click on the city you live in, then type in the search: Plus Size Model. Look for postings for companies or photographers needing Plus Size Models. Contact them immediately.

Secret #5 Find Part-time Jobs Within The Industry
Few models can make it on their careers alone when just starting out. So which do you think is going to do more for your career: a job at Frederick’s selling lingerie, or a job as a telemarketer?

You may make more money at the telemarketer, but the job at Frederick’s keeps you focused on your real goal, and also gives you an entrée into potential jobs like modeling for your home store.

You don’t have to just do retail. You can also apprentice with a photographer. They’re always looking for good assistants, and you can learn enough about photography to have a very good idea about how to make yourself look even more beautiful. You may even get a job or two acting as model for your boss.

By staying within the industry, you accomplish several things: you meet the right people, you stay on top of new trends, and you put yourself in a position to hear about unadvertised opportunities.

Besides, you almost always get a discount on the best new clothes you’re going to buy anyway, which is like a salary increase!

Take Action! Write down three companies you know of you would love to work for that would be within the realms of the modeling world. Then write down three reasons why you would love to have a job there, why it would help you in your career and one step how you think you could get the ball rolling to get the job of your dreams.

Secret #6 Check Your Local Paper for Hair and Bridal Shows
Often you can get some modeling experience and exposure by being a bridal or hair model. Again, get a picture taken of yourself at the show and put it on your comp card and in your resume.

The more experience you have, the more photos you have as a working model, the better your opportunities are for being accepted by an agency or being hired as a model.

When you think of the word “Plus Size Model” the immediate image that comes to mind might be Tocarra or Emme or some other well known celebrity. Modeling is much more than a pretty faced celebrity. Plus Size Models are used for all kinds of jobs beyond fashion photography and clothing.

Have you ever thought of being a model at a bridal show? Companies are increasingly using Plus Size Models to wear wedding dresses that are considered for “big” girls.

This means great news for you!

When companies hire models to represent a bridal show, what they’re looking for is someone who is natural, casual and most importantly can fit into their dresses! Plus Size Models who fashion wedding gowns at these shows should also be outgoing, look good and love people.

Ultimately, the purpose of a Plus Size Model at a bridal show is to help a company promote wedding dresses. People looking at getting into modeling need to keep that in mind – they have to do more than be just a pretty face and fit into a dress, they have to have an attitude that is outgoing, friendly and fun!

Take Action! Do a search at www.google.com with the term: “Bridal Shows and _____ (insert your city name). Once you get a listing of upcoming shows in your area contact these companies direct and tell them you would love to model their fashions if they are in need of a Plus Size Model.

Secret #7 Be Highly Visible
This should go without saying, but it can’t. In grocery stores, manufacturers pay grocers to display their products at eye level instead of on high or low shelves. That’s where grocery stores make a lot of their profits. Soft drink companies spend a fortune on advertisements that don’t say anything, but just get the name of their product out into the public. That’s how important visibility is.

If producers, photographers, manufacturers, designers know you’re out there, they can hire you. Conversely, if you don’t put yourself forward, they don’t even know you exist.

That means you need to get out there every week. You need fresh photos regularly. Spread yourself around websites; learn how to promote yourself online as well as offline. Send out fresh portfolios regularly, and attend events where you can meet with photographers and others who can be instrumental to getting your career off the ground, or advancing it if it’s already started.

If you’re shy, this can be a problem. Overcome this problem by making a list of weekly goals: one new contact, one fresh portfolio sent, and one party or event each week.

Check in your weekly assessment noted above to make sure you’re meeting these regular goals. Do everything you can to overcome your shyness (except for drinking – too few inhibitions are worse than too many). Most importantly, just grit your teeth and do what you must do to achieve your dreams.

Take Action! Get out and network with people today! You’ll be happy tomorrow that you took action today to make your dreams a reality sooner than later.