My attitude in approaching your career is to take every single opportunity you can to get your name and face in front of every possible person. So when it comes to model searches and modeling contests, I suggest you enter every one you can find - as long as they DO NOT charge an entry fee. Modeling contests and searches aren’t for making money, they are for scouting talent, and so if you have to pay an entry fee, I'd pass on that one. There are too many good ones out there that are free!

I view contests and searches as an opportunity to increase my exposure and to make additional contacts in the industry. Think about it: You send in your shots and someone involved in the contest has to open the envelope and take a moment to review your photos. If even ONE more person has seen your face and read your name, mission accomplished! In most cases, this will be someone connected to an agency, a potential client or a major magazine. Isn't that exactly who you want seeing you?

I have been extremely successful in entering model searches and contests. I have won trips to New York, to Los Angeles and to Miami, along with thousands of dollars of clothes, cosmetics and other promotional items thru contests, and even modeling contracts at major agencies (proving there is definite value in entering these searches and contests). There is a reason for my success and luck has nothing to do with it. I'll share a few tips I have picked up along the way on entering, placing and winning contests and searches.

First, only mail in 8x10 photos. You want your shots to stand out and shine over the others they receive. Most contests receive anywhere from 5,000 to 20,000 entries. Why should they notice yours? Give them as many reasons as possible, starting with big, glossy photographs. Also, in my talking to some of the people who are responsible for reviewing photos, I couldn't believe the horror stories they shared of out of focus shots, group shots, and just plain ugly shots they received. Ninety percent of the photos they receive they consider a waste of their time. As a professional, you can do better. Send a beautiful shot that flatters you, that's in focus, where you are alone in the frame. You want them to see only you.

Another advantage of using an 8x10 is that most people enter using snapshots. With larger photos, you can use a priority mailer from the post office. When you get the mail, what do you open first? Small envelopes, or the wonderful, special, big envelope where you have to pull the little string and it must be something special? I always enter contests using a priority mailer, and I send it using delivery confirmation so I can check and see that it was received. If they didn't get it, I can't win!