Why Smart Models Skip Low-Paying Gigs: How to Build Your Brand and Get Paid

• Stop taking low-ball gigs—you’re worth way more than a day rate. Start building you as a brand that attracts top clients.
• Command higher rates with a small following—brands want unique personalities and influence, not just numbers.
• Say no to the old-school model hustle—it’s time to curate your image, grow as a content creator, and make brands come to you.

How to Brand Yourself as a Model: The New Power Move

Listen up, because I’m about to drop some real talk for all my aspiring models out there—especially those of you still taking those low-paying gigs just to “build a portfolio.” Darling, please. You’re way too savvy and stylish to get locked into those dated “dues-paying” moves. It’s time we chat about a little thing I like to call self-branding, because honey, you are your brand, and the sooner you embrace that, the sooner the industry will come knocking. The best part? You don’t need a huge following or some iconic agency backing you up to make brands see dollar signs when they look your way.

@juliojanpierre

Fashion Poses For Brands ✨🫶🏼 ♬ Demure by Julio Janpierre – Julio Janpierre

Why Low-Paying Gigs Aren’t Worth Your Time

Imagine this: you’re the new kid on the block, fresh-faced, and eager to get signed. You start with a low-end agency that’s eager to “put you to work.” And by “work,” I mean local mall photoshoots, runways that pay peanuts, and maybe a spot in some low-budget campaign where you’re asked to work ten-hour days in heels that leave your feet screaming. And for what? If you’re lucky, you’re pulling in a couple of hundred bucks a gig—if that. That’s not even enough for a decent dinner in this city.

You know what models like Kendall and Bella had that skyrocketed their careers? Yes, sure, their names—but they also knew they were brands. Even as newbies, they cultivated a vibe, a look, and a personality that stood out from the crowd. They made the runway want them, not the other way around. And trust me, you can do this too.

Why Modeling Agencies Can Miss the Mark

Now, let’s talk numbers for a sec. Entry-level gigs at even mid-range agencies often start around $150–$300 per day, while higher-end agencies might offer $1,000–$2,500 if you’re super lucky. But guess what? Even Gucci—yes, Gucci—pays its models about $1,000–$4,000 a day, which might sound like a lot until you realize the exposure they’re getting with your face. Meanwhile, I’ve seen models with followings of around 10,000 to 50,000 (yes, we’re talking small followings) score $5,000 for a single Instagram campaign with a mid-range brand. Why? Because brands care about real, personal, and influential content far more than just one-off photoshoots.

Building Yourself as a Brand is Everything

Let’s be clear—brands today aren’t just looking for pretty faces. They want personalities, trendsetters, storytellers. They’re not just hiring you to wear a dress; they’re hiring the vibe you bring to that dress, the audience you bring with it, and the unique way you show it off. So instead of running around for random low-paying gigs, start building you.

Make it known you’re not just a model but a creator and a brand, someone who can elevate a brand’s image simply by association. Curate your social media as if each post is part of a magazine spread (because it is!). Think cohesive colors, a bit of mystery, a dash of sass, and a tone that says, “I know you want to work with me.”

@harrison.tablada These are just examples many things effect your rate as a model such as your portfolio, how much work you have booked in the past, the amount of shows youve walked, your social media following account, the amount of taxes you have to pay depending on the country you shot in etc #fyp #model #modeling #modeltiktok #modelingtips #greenscreen ♬ Carti Wave Beat – Staysee

Here’s My Proposal to You: Brand Strategy 101

1. Find Your Niche: Are you the edgy street-style queen, or maybe a refined minimalist? Maybe you’re into avant-garde looks that make people go, “Whoa!” Own it and don’t deviate. Consistency in your brand makes you recognizable.
2. Set Up Your Online Presence: Invest in a website. Post on social media with purpose. Don’t worry about follower counts; just focus on engagement and quality. A brand is going to appreciate a killer style and loyal audience over just raw numbers.
3. Showcase Your Content Creation Skills: Brands love models who can take great photos without a 20-person production team. Show them you’ve got an eye for lighting, angles, and aesthetic. Treat every post like a campaign—because it’s your campaign.
4. Choose Your Gigs Wisely: Turn down jobs that don’t align with your brand vision. Yes, I said it—turn them down! Be selective, because when you say “no” to one gig, you leave space for a better one. The right brands will respect your discernment.
5. Learn the Power of Outreach: Believe it or not, you don’t have to sit around waiting for brands to find you. Sometimes, the power move is to slide into their DMs or email them your portfolio directly. Make sure to hit that sweet spot of confidence (not desperation).

A Word on Rates: What You Can Command as a Branded Model

Let’s say you’ve branded yourself as a trendsetting queen with a few thousand followers. You’re pulling off high-end, Vogue-worthy photos on a Target budget. Don’t even think about taking gigs for less than $1,000 if it involves your image or your audience. A single post could easily be worth $500 to $2,000, depending on the brand and your audience engagement.

And remember—brands are paying you for your influence, not just your face. You bring your audience, your creative direction, and your vibe to every post, and that’s worth more than a day rate at any runway gig.

So, Skip Gucci Until They Come Calling

Let me give it to you straight: brands like Gucci? They want to pay models a day rate and move on to the next face. But if you’re an influencer with a style people love, they may just want to collaborate. Imagine Gucci (or any other luxury brand) reaching out to you for a long-term collab, where you get to shape the look of their campaign, bring your audience in, and yes, ask for more than their usual rate.

So go ahead, skip the low-end gigs and start presenting yourself as a brand, not just a model. Because when you know your worth, the industry will know it too.