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In today’s post, Inside Look at a Coaching Call Part 2 – Spokesmodel Team Q&A, we’re continuing this quick two-part series! We’re taking a look behind the scenes of a coaching call about spokesmodel teams. If you missed part 1, be sure to go back and take a listen!

In this post, we’re addressing questions such as how to create buzz around your senior model program, how to recruit senior models, how many senior models you should have, and more! Let’s take an inside look at a coaching call part 2.

How To Create a Buzz Around Your Senior Model Program

How do you create a buzz so that high school seniors want to be a part of the team? Model teams encourage more model teams down the road. So, the model team you start with might just be the hardest one to create hype around.

For the first year that you have a senior model team, everything might be a little more trial and error. But don’t let that hold you back from having a senior model team. The unfamiliar and unknown feelings are natural because it’s new to you! 

With my first model team, our agreement was very simple. I started by taking their senior pictures and asked them if they would be interested in more photoshoots throughout the year. Then, I was able to use both their senior photos and photos from the extra photoshoots to market the senior model program. From there, the program grew year after year and started to create its own buzz.

How To Find Your Senior Model Team

The best way to start your senior model team is to reach out to people you know. Then, ask them for recommendations. Personally contact both the people that you know and any references you’re given. Starting with a circle of people you know can start you off on a really strong foot. I would recommend this method over something like a blanket post to social media mentioning that you’re looking for models.

Over the years I’ve found that people enjoy getting an initial message from you asking them to be part of their senior model team. Because this has worked so well, it’s something I still do for each model team to this day. When I start to build my team for the next year, models from my current team will give me the names of potential models in the class below them. This chain reaction has created a team of trusted seniors year after year, without a need to recruit from the outside.

How To Know How Many Senior Models You Should Have

Here’s the thing – there’s no perfect number. The number that’s best for you might depend on many different factors. In my first year, I started with 4 and that was great for my business at the time. Since then, I’ve had a group of up to 35. I like to tailor the group size based on factors such as what capacity can I take on, what seniors have been recommended to me and make for a good fit, what’s best for the business that year, and so on.

There are both pros and cons to larger and smaller groups. When the group is smaller, you can give more time and space to interact with your team. I also find that when the group is smaller, the models bond. When I’ve had larger groups, they tend to break up into smaller groups throughout the experience instead of all getting to know each other well. Also, when the group is larger, it’s tough to get to know each of them well. 

When determining the size of a group that’s best for you, it’s important to factor in the amount of time you would need to set aside for each shoot. For example, if you plan on scheduling hour-long individual photoshoots for each senior and you have 25, that’s 25 hours of shooting alone. You want to also factor in the amount of group shoots you’ll have and how long they would take to shoot and edit.

How To Know How Many Photoshoots You Should Have With Your Senior Model Team

Again, there are several factors to account for when determining the amount of photoshoots you want to take on. Think through your calendar and your resources. Consider how much time you want to devote to planning and prepping for shoots, how much time you want to shoot for, and how much time you will spend editing.

You’ll also want to consider planning and scheduling for the models as well. It’s important to think through how much time you will be asking for from them, what you might be scheduling around throughout the school year calendar, what events they have going on, and how much time they will be able to give.

Be sure to review your content calendar to help you decide how often you’ll need new content. Consider when you want to start marketing and recruiting for your next model team and plan to have new content posted throughout your marketing timeline.  

How To Motivate Your Senior Model Team To Refer Clients

Offering incentives such as cash, discounts, credits, or something similar might not be as enticing to high school seniors. After several attempts to offer such incentives, I found that these methods didn’t work as well. However, there is one approach that has worked for several of my senior model teams. When you give your team an excellent experience during their year as senior models, they will market the program for you! 

When they have fun, get to dress up and feel beautiful, make new friends, or get to spend time with current friends, their experience is a positive one. And when your senior models have a positive experience, they will share this with others. Whether it be word-of-mouth sharing or social media sharing, they will want everyone to see how much fun they’re having as a senior model. 

Not only will they want to share their experience, but they will also be more motivated to be involved in the senior model program, help out with photoshoots, add to the creative process where they can, act as a team, and they will be more communicative. 

Be sure that you aren’t unintentionally treating your senior models like employees. Asking them to refer clients or offering cash incentives might make them feel like a salesman, and could leave them feeling uncomfortable. Instead, give them an experience that they can’t help but be excited about! If your seniors have the time of their lives as senior models, everyone around them will know it. Then, your business and your next senior model program will reap the benefits. 

Inside Look at a Coaching Call Part 2 – Spokesmodel Team Q&A

And there you have it – the inside look at a coaching call part 2 – spokesmodel team Q&A coaching series! This short series was so much fun to cover, and we enjoyed answering these frequently asked questions.

In summary, try to give your senior model team an excellent experience while still making moves that are beneficial to you and your business. And remember, each year that you have a senior model team is a new chance to learn! You will learn from each team, and each year will only get better and better.

If you need more help with growing your senior photography business, The Seniorologie Semester is for you! You can learn more about it by visiting www.seniorologie.com/semester.