By Alycia Kaback – VIP Ignite Live
Breaking into modeling isn’t about luck.
It’s about strategy, skill, and knowing how the industry actually works behind the scenes.
Every day, beginners—people with zero experience, zero connections, and zero idea where to start—get booked for paid work. And every day, others stay stuck, confused, and frustrated.
What’s the difference?
That’s what this guide is here to reveal.
As the co-founder of VIP Ignite Live and Truth Mgmt, I’ve spent nearly two decades helping new talent go from “I hope someone notices me” to being seen, chosen, and booked. What I’m about to share with you is exactly what we teach inside our community… the part most agencies won’t tell you because they’re too busy scouting people who already understand the game.
By the time you finish this article, you’ll know how to start booking work—and why it has nothing to do with being “perfect” and everything to do with being prepared.
1. Build a Portfolio That Actually Gets You Booked
Most beginners think a portfolio is just “pretty photos.”
Wrong.
Your portfolio is your product shelf. It shows casting directors:
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- What roles you can play
- How marketable you are
- Whether you’re ready to work
And today’s industry demands versatility.
You need:
- A clean, natural headshot
- A full-body digitals set (front, side, back)
- Lifestyle images that show personality
- Industry-specific looks (commercial, fashion, fitness, etc.)
At VIP Ignite, we structure this strategically using our Hollywood Breakthrough Method™—because one high-quality shoot can open doors you’ve been knocking on for years.
2. Understand Your Market (This Is Why Most Beginners Fail)
You don’t need to move to New York or LA to book work.
There are modeling jobs everywhere—including your hometown.
The problem?
Most beginners don’t know what they’re right for.
Ask yourself:
- Is my look commercial?
- Could I do lifestyle modeling?
- Do I fit fitness, beauty, fashion, runway, or print?
- Am I more suited for on-camera acting roles?
When you understand your lane, you stop wasting time and you start landing opportunities built for you.
At VIP Ignite, we help every talent identify their exact booking category… because when you know what you are, the industry knows where to place you.
3. Create Connections That Lead to Casting Calls
Here’s the truth no one tells you:
The people booking beginners are not hanging out on social media hoping to “discover” you.
They’re:
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- Agents
- Casting directors
- Producers
- Stylists
- Photographers
- Creative directors
These people want talent who:
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- Show up
- Follow directions
- Are coachable
- Look like they take their career seriously
Connections are currency.
Every major breakthrough in VIP Ignite started with one connection at a workshop, a live training, or a networking event. A single Zoom meeting with the right agent can change your entire trajectory.
This is why proximity is part of the Hollywood Breakthrough Method™… because talent rises fastest when they have direct access to decision-makers.
4. Get Training (Beginner Bookings Come From Prepared Talent)
This might be the most misunderstood part of modeling.
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- You don’t need a certificate.
- You don’t need to be perfect.
- You don’t need an acting degree.
But you do need:
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- Confidence
- Body awareness
- Camera presence
- The ability to take direction
- Understanding of casting room etiquette
This is where most beginners lose the job—not because of their look, but because they weren’t prepared.
Every week at VIP Ignite Live, we train talent on:
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- How to walk into a casting
- How to slate properly
- How to pose naturally
- How to perform on camera
- How to audition on Zoom (yes, this matters!)
The industry doesn’t hire potential.
It hires people ready to step on set today.
5. Submit Yourself Strategically (Don’t Just “Apply Everywhere”)
Beginners think success comes from applying to hundreds of listings.
But pros know the truth:
You only need the right 10 opportunities, not 100 random ones.
Here’s what to look for:
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- Legit casting platforms
- Calls that match your look
- Roles that fit your market
- Projects aligned with your goals
This is why agencies and casting directors love VIP Ignite talent—because we teach strategic submission instead of “spray and pray.”
Quality beats quantity every time.
6. Treat It Like a Real Business (Because It Is)
If you want bookings, you must think like the people who get bookings.
That means:
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- Having updated photos
- Keeping digitals current
- Being available
- Being reliable
- Responding fast
- Showing up professionally
- Maintaining your appearance
- Investing in your craft
Every model who succeeds understands that modeling is a business.
Your product is you.
Your marketing is your portfolio.
Your sales funnel is your auditions.
Your ROI is the jobs you book.
When you treat it like a business… it pays you like one.
7. Work With People Who Already Know the Path
The fastest way to get modeling work is simple:
Learn from the people who help models get work.
Working alone is the slowest, most frustrating path.
Working with people who understand the industry shortens the learning curve from years to months.
That’s why VIP Ignite exists.
Not to give you false promises…
But to give you clarity, training, connections, and a roadmap that actually works.
Talent who succeed with us win because they’re prepared, professional, and plugged into the right rooms.
Final Word from Alycia Kaback
If no one has told you yet—
You can do this.
Not because of luck.
Not because of who you know.
But because beginners get booked every single day when they follow the right strategy.
Start where you are.
Use what you have.
Build the skills.
Put yourself in the right rooms.
And watch how fast things begin to move for you.
If you’re ready to take the next step, VIP Ignite Live has multiple weekly trainings, casting-ready intensives, and industry-insider calls that show you exactly how to get started.
Your future career is built on decisions like this.
Make the one your future self will thank you for.
👉 Join Our Next VIP Ignite Zoom Audition
“It’s all about people skills and networking and that is what we offer.” – Alycia Kaback
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