The problems with online contests
Ξ December 12th, 2006 | → | ∇ Modeling advice |
Aspiring models, if someone asked you to work for free, would you do it? Online contests are coming to you to do the work they don’t want to purchase. Ask yourself why a website would spend their money on advertising, when they can promise models a prize that is a FRACTION of the cost of actual advertising.
I have participated in online contests. I even financially benefitted from one contest. And any time my FRIENDS at StreetTrenz.com want me to help them promote a contest, I do help them. But that’s it!
It’s becoming more and more common for magazines (and others) to draw traffic to their websites by getting models with lots of online friends to promote their contests. You know the magazines I’m talking about! One that was published in the U.S. for a few years (but still published abroad) is now relegated (at least in the U.S.) to limiting its publication to the internet. These contests aren’t necessarily legitimate and your effort isn’t necessarily fairly measured. Many of the contests are easily manipulated using macros, bots or other simply-written programs. In some instances, the contest winner is chosen by the operator of the contest before it even starts! Sometimes the rules will change in the middle of the contests. And this tactic is intentionally employed to cause controversy to drive more traffic!
I would suggest every model refrain from entering online contests. Leave them for the girls who WANT TO BE models. A real model doesn’t have the free time to work without being compensated. And even if a contest does declare you the winner and you do get published, consider its TRUE value! Ask yourself, if you’d dedicated all that time and energy into finding a better agency or a better manager, is it possible (even probable) they would have got you published with a simple phone call?!?!?
I’ve made the mistake of participating in online contests. Hopefully, you will benefit from my mistakes.
Ownard and upward,
2 Responses to ' The problems with online contests '
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on December 1st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
[…] In a previous blog, I suggested that real models should leave the online contests to the girls who want to be models and I still feel that is good advice. Let your manager, publicist and/or agent know that you’re interested in being published and let them know where you want to be published - feel free to use the information above to determine your magazine of choice. Once they know where you want to be, let them devote THEIR time to getting you published - that’s their job. As a model, you need to dedicate your time to modeling, not chasing a tear sheet for which a true value cannot be assigned!! Take your time - you’ll get there. […]
on February 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Very well said Teresa!! I agree and will add that models shouldn’t work booths for free either. Too many times have I seen millionaires taking advantage of young woman. Convincing them that it’s “good exposure” Which is questionable to say the least.
If a business owner has the funds, they should share the wealth. Now, if you want to help out a friend or someone you believe in, that’s different. Because a friend would find a way to give back.
Wise worlds sweet lady!
Thanks for enlightening others