No matter if you are trying to find paid work or TFP, you need to promote yourself.

You need to get seen, and being seen by as many people as possible even if they are not people who might hire you as a model is not a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with building up a fan base if you are serious about building a career. The many good model directories about are one of the first tools you should use to find work and build up a fan base. This site gets tens of thousands of visitors each month, some looking to hire models, some just enjoying the view. There is no need to pay to be put on any site, although some do attempt to charge. There are plenty of free ones and many of the free ones are much better and more successful. But avoid sites that also push escorts, dating, porn and sex chat lines. Also avoid sites with bad spelling and grammar, your image will be judged on the image of the sites you are listed on.

So get yourself listed on this site and other good free sites

So get yourself listed on this site and other good free sites, hopefully then offers from photographers will start to come in. If you are a new model in need of experience and a portfolio, say you will do TFP with photographers who's work you like. Once you have done your time and built up a portfolio, say you are looking for paid work. Most sites like this one, as well as giving a space to show photographs, give a section for the model to say something. Use it, sell yourself. If you do not seem interested, why should anyone be interested in you? Another tool to use is message boards or forums. Forums allow people to post messages, in the case of modelling forums such as this sites forum. The forum is there for models to advertise that they are looking for work, for photographers to advertise that they are looking for models, or for either to discuss modelling related issues, show off their work, network, or even just chat. Forums are also good places to get an idea of who is who. But remember not to believe all you read and that forums should not be used for revenge or to spread gossip and lies. Avoid forums which do!

When posting on a forum

When posting on a forum, think about what you are going to say and the purpose of your post. If you are looking for paid work, then say you are looking for paid work. Give your location, such as the country you are in and what part of that country. Say what types of work you are willing to take and how far you may be willing to travel. If you do not put any effort in to your post and show people you are serious and interested, then why should serious people be interested in you? If possible, try and include a photograph in posts or a link to a site where your photographs can be seen. Both would be even better. And make sure you can actually be contacted.

The next stage in Internet self promotion is having your own web site

The next stage in Internet self promotion is having your own web site. It is not that hard to create a basic site using a free service such as geocities.com to host it for you, although such services have serious limits on content (no nudity) and place advertising banners on your site. Internet access suppliers, such as AOL, normally give members free space to host a web site on. The content restrictions will probably still apply but there may be no banner advertising making your site look ugly. If you want to be really serious, you may like to have your own domain name, so you look more professional and so people can easily remember the address of your site. You may even want to get your site professionally designed and hosted on paid web space. But that will normally cost you quite a bit. And just like you need to be wary of photographers and agencies trying to take money from you, also be wary of web designers doing the same. It may be worth paying someone for a professionally designed site and hosting, but you may be able to get the same deal cheaper or in exchange for you modelling.

To take advantage of model directories, forums and even having your own site. You will need an e-mail address, and to at times hand over personal information. The more public you are, the more offers you will get. But also ones you do not want, modelling and non modelling. You may even get abusive mails or messages from obsessed fans! With the e-mail address you use or personal information you give, be careful.