INDEPENDENT (Indie) MODEL WANTS TO MAKE MONEY

…Like, I’m an Indie model and I want to get paid.  Now what?

INDEPENDENT MODEL WANTS TO MAKE MONEY – MUST READ*

1.  Do you have a modeling teacher, coach, or mentor?   This is not about being a pretty face and taking pictures.  This is a professional career and craft that might take over 10 years to develop.
                a.  Take the critiques of people that know what they're talking about very seriously and make the adjustments that they suggest.  Who cares how you FEEL, just do it.  You might actually learn a lot about yourself and your technique.

2.  Do people in your local area BUY your photos or merchandise?  Do they hire you for gigs, promos, or photography sessions?  Are you selling any content? Are people requesting your merchandise?  What have they asked for?  Where can you get items produced?  What is the cost?  Will you be shipping?

3.  What is your Brand?  What IS a Brand?  When your NAME comes up, what idea should pop into a person’s mind?  WHO are you? (Time for research) You must DEVELOP, PROMOTE, and MARKET yourself.  This means a LOT more than Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.  What are the best sites for working models?

4.  Do you know what the below terms actually mean when it comes to the MODELING industry: Marketing, eCommerce, Promotions, Digital Distribution, Publishing, Licensing, Intellectual Property and Copyright Protection?
(Do some research on successful indie models that you follow.  How do they do it?)
                 a.  Do you READ BOOKS that can educate you on your industry?  Do you read about those subjects daily?  Are you obsessed with learning about the MODELING BUSINESS?  You NEED to be.  *Brains & Beauty = Higher chance of SUCCESS

5.  Have you ever talked to an entertainment law attorney?  Look for one and email them.  Do you know if you “own” the photos that other photographers have taken of you?  Do you know any Modeling managers that are currently working in the industry?  If so, what degree of success have they achieved?- Meet the RIGHT people.

6.  Do you have phenomenal talent? …..Your talent has to be better than: MEH, better than GOOD, and better than GREAT too!!  Are your fans left in awe every time you post a blog or photograph?  If the CEO of ELLE magazine or MAXIM Magazine saw you right now, would that person be impressed by your full package? (Social Media, Body, Face, Community involvement, work history, future plans, etc..?)  Are you ready?
Is your work remarkable?  REMARK-ABLE.  Do you offer anything different than other models?

7.  Does your social media look like some of your favorite model’s sites?  Are your social media sites updated regularly, and with the correct information?  Is the content interesting and professional?  Do you have an online audience that engages with your posts?  Have they ever bought anything from you?
                 a.  Run your social media like a business runs their social sites.  You are here to make money; are your posts generating income?  If not; why not?  Do you have a marketing and branding campaign that you stick with?

8.  Are you highly motivated, dedicated, and willing to work harder than the next model?  How?  Do you have a plan?  What is your daily plan?  What do you consider “working” when you’re trying to build your company?

a.  Are you using your time effectively?  Ask yourself at the end of each day, "If I was the CEO of my modeling company, based on my performance today, would I hire myself again tomorrow?"

9.  Do you follow-up after meeting new people?  Have you emailed EVERY person that has given you a business card with a proposal to create content for them?  Are you networking with the proper people?  Are you networking correctly?  How are you offering to help them?  What are you asking for?

The above steps are over 10 years of experience in social media and working with indie models.  Shortcuts do not exist; you must do the work to achieve success.  This blog should serve as a guide to help a new model get on track with creating income for themselves.  FOLLOW the steps for a good start.

Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or to set up a consultation.  Thank you for taking a quick read.

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan - U.S. Army veteran
International Entrepreneur

Puerto Rico, 2015

"Building a better digital citizen, one person at a time."

#PR2025
https://www.facebook.com/PuertoRico2025

How do you take a person to small claims court in California

CALIFORNIA - Small Claims - Basic Info

I am not an attorney, but I have provided some basic guidance of the law in California dealing with small claims court.  Most business people and entrepreneurs will have their day in court and this is just a quick reference guide to questions that you might be having.  Please consult an attorney licensed in the state of California for any legal matters that you may be experiencing and the most current laws.

The basics of suing someone in California small claims court are fairly simple.  Plantiff must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated child.  An individual or sole proprietor may file as many claims as they wish up to $2,500 per year.  However, they can only file two claims that exceed$2,500 per calendar year.

In general, a person cannot ask for more than $10,000 for a claim, and businesses cannot ask for more than $5,000.  You are allowed to speak with an attorney before you go to small claims, but cannot have an attorney represent you at court.  The typical types of claims that are filed include, but are not limited to: property damage from car accidents, homeowner association disputes, tenant security deposits, and damage to property by a neighbor.

Generally, the statue of limitations runs out at 2-4 years on most issues concerning small claims.  The filing fee is $100 for any claims that range from $5,000 - $10,000.  If you are suing someone you are required to attend court 20-70 days after you file your claim.  The only exemption to this is for people serving on active duty in the Armed Forces.  If you are the person that filed the claim you are not allowed to appeal a decision.  However, if someone else filed a claim against you and you lose, you can appeal.

Additional Note by Mr. Dale Nowicki:  It should be noted that with the decreased court budgets, all cases will likely be ordered to mediation. If you are a party to a case, it would be good to show the court that you've tried in good faith to resolve this both before and after the case is filed. Everyone wants to have their day in court and feel justice is done, but less than 2% of all cases actually go to trial, so don't have high expectations. Just be reasonable, but always protect and assert your rights.

I hope this helps clear up a few things.

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan
Entrepreneur

Thank you to Mr. Bob Woods in Hollywood, California for teaching me this stuff in 2013 while I was his student in Business Law class.

Photography by: George Ohan - Puerto Rico

How to make money as a photographer

Photographers are real people too, ya know?  We have feelings, we have financial obligations, and some of us even have mothers.  OK?!   :-)

If your toilet was clogged, would you call the plumber and ask him to "hook you up on a free gig?"  The list goes on: mechanic, barber, chef, doctor, electrician, all of those people get paid for their services.... Right?

WHY should I pay a professional photographer?

1. His or Her TIME
2. Equipment - Digital camera & Lens package
3. Flash & Lighting
4. Memory cards or Film
5. Education, Training & Practice required to know this skill
6. Travel expenses
7. Time to process images in post-production
8. Promotional & website costs
9. Income tax for freelance
10. Phone
11. Food
12. Housing
13. Living expenses

.....but you can get good "Exposure" & "Experience" for your efforts.

MESSAGE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:
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GET PAID, OR STARVE ARTIST.  You have to start getting paid for your craft at some point.... That point is NOW.  Start charging people what you are worth.  You are adding value to their situation with your art and craft.  They must respect your art with their wallets.  I hope this motivates a new photographer to start earning income and building their future.  You can be happy by getting paid to do what you love to do.  What services do you provide?  How much does it cost?  Make a list.

 (Some situations a barter is acceptable)

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan
Photographer
Puerto Rico
7/21/15

Photography by: Madlen G Photography
Los Angeles, CA
https://plus.google.com/+MadlengPhotography/posts

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Post Inspired by:
"HIRING A PHOTOGRAPHER OR WANTING TO USE THEIR IMAGES"
Mr. Dean Kirkland
(949) 433-2831
www.kirklanddigital.com