Promotional Modeling: The Pros and Cons

A promotional model (aka promo model, brand ambassador) is a model that a company hires if they want someone to help promote their product. The typical promo model is not a runway-esque, scary skinny tall girl. A promotional model, or brand ambassador, can be male or female, is usually of an average or fit build, but not necessarily tall. Most importantly, the model must be friendly and outgoing. This is crucial, because part of the job is approaching strangers, all day.

So what does a promotional model do? Really, they do anything and everything to promote a product (within reason, of course). As a promotional model I have sold sunglasses, loaded people into race car simulators, handed out free duct-tape, signed people up for giveaways, etc. As a promo model, you could be asked to sell or promote anything, really. A job I almost took involved riding giant tricycles handing out giant Pixy Stix.

Your purpose in being hired is to promote the company for which you are working. Usually you are at an event; for example, I work promos at NASCAR races during the summers. Oftentimes, the company has a new product or promotion that they want you to mention or get people to interact with. So, you approach the strangers milling about at the event outside your company's booth or station, and give them the line, like "Do you want to try X?" They often decline. But sometimes they are interested in the product or company, and give things a second look.

Usually, you work in a group of models, at least two, but you may work with more models at big events like NASCAR. So, your specific job may change. Typically, there are models in front of the display area encouraging people to stop in. Then, there are models for the various attractions inside the company's booth. You could be signing people up for giveaways, running simulators, showing off the latest products, etc. Whatever you are assigned to do, you usually have to approach strangers. Thus, you MUST be friendly and outgoing. A promotional model is essentially an approachable person who helps a company promote their products.

• The Money: The average promotional modeling job pays from $12 - $16 an hour, although some can earn you as much as $22 an hour.
  
• The Work: The stuff you do is really pretty easy. It can involve giving away free stuff, encouraging people to interact with products, getting people to sign up for giveaways, running race car simulators, you name it!
  
• The Flexibility: Most of the promotions are weekend jobs, so they work well if you have a typical 9 to 5. Also, just because a promotional job is available, it doesn't mean you have to take it, even if you are signed with an agency. Typically, a promo agency will sent out a mass email asking for models who can work a job, giving the job on a first come, first serve basis. Agencies usually have a lot of models to choose from, so its not the end of the world if you can't work every job they offer you.
  
• The People: The people you work with are usually very outgoing, friendly people with great senses of humor.
  
• Never a Dull Moment: You will be kept busy at promo jobs. They are rarely boring because of a lack of work.
  
• The Customers: You will meet ALL sorts of different people at the promo jobs. They will keep you on your toes, because you never know what the next person you interact with will say. Because you usually work at large public events, people are willing to listen you and are easy to talk to, because they came to have fun.
  

• The Commute: As a brand ambassador, you usually do not work near where you live. Almost every promotion I have worked has been an hour commute, at least. If you live in a big city, this might be different. However, be prepared to travel to the site you are working. Travel is almost never paid for, so you should factor it in to your pay when considering taking a job.
  
• The Customers: You get a few creepers when you work as a promotional model. As a female, you're usually wearing short-shorts, and you have to smile at everyone, so some men think that is an invitation to come hit on you, give you hugs, and take pictures with you. You have to be good-natured about these encounters. These types of customers are almost always harmless. I usually talk to them for a little bit, then politely excuse myself, and get back to approaching other people. Though, my 5+ years of promo work, I have never had someone cross the line, if someone is offensively inappropriate, just politely remove yourself from the situation and talk to the company's site coordinator/manager.
  
• Getting a Job: Finding promotional jobs can be difficult, especially if you don't live near a metropolis, like Chicago or New York. There is not a good site for finding promotional jobs. I have tried Craigslist for jobs, but many of the ads for promo models are fake, sending you emails for modeling contests instead. Therefore, I would recommend finding a promotional modeling agency to sign with. Don't pay them upfront. They may require pictures, but they will make money off you later, so they shouldn't ask for money when you sign with them. Although there is usually some paperwork required with every agency you sign with, it is worth it, because it makes getting work a lot easier.
  
• The Work: When you work a promotion, you will be on your feet, the whole time. Usually, you work during the summer outside, so it is hot. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes (while abiding by your dress code, given to you by the company). You will receive breaks throughout the day, but you should be prepared to be standing and smiling all day long. No matter how tired you are, a positive attitude is crucial if you want to keep getting hired.