Sell Yourself With Your Zed Card
The comp card, or zed card, is going to become a like business card that you use for networking and for marketing your modeling talents. A memorable, high quality, and professional comp card can get you a foot in the door and a poor comp card will almost certainly see that door shut. The very basic requirements for a zed card is that it contains at least two pictures, basic stats of the model, and contact details. The cover page of a zed card should contain a large portrait picture with the second page containing one or more pictures from the model’s portfolio along with the statistics and details.
Being Memorable
The zed card is obviously considerably larger than a business card but at 8.5” x 5.5” it still doesn’t lave acres of space to play with. You need to concentrate on quality over quantity, ensuring that the card itself looks professional and that you use the most appropriate pictures you can. One of the most effective methods of using zed cards is to have several different versions, or even personalize one zed for each agency that you meet. If you’re serious about finding regular work you are going to need to try and register with several agencies so you will have to hand out a considerable number of zed cards in the process.
How To Create A Zed Card
Zed cards can be created in a number of ways. Photographers can usually create high quality cards, printing companies can certainly make the job look professional, and some models choose to do it themselves using photo editing software and their home computer. Unless you really know what you’re doing then you are best advised to have somebody else create your zed card for you. A slight mistake or a poorly put together zed card will cost you potential shoots.
Zed Card Use – Open Calls
Take a zed card when you attend an open call with an agency. Open calls can be hectic affairs and it is unlikely that you will get long to make an impression and show your full portfolio. A good zed card means that you will still be remembered even if you only receive a couple of minute’s attention.
Zed Card Use – Distribution By Agencies
Once an agency takes you on, it is their responsibility to market you. Having already used your zed card to market yourself, it is hardly surprising that this same marketing tool will be used by the agency. Zed cards are posted, emailed, faxed, and passed to photographers, clients, and anybody else that may have potential work.
Zed Card Use – The Client
Your potential clients will eventually receive a copy of your zed card and it will be done to them whether they choose you or not. They may request to see you in person, or they go on the pictures they have to hand, namely your zed card. This is why it is vital to ensure that you include good photographs, as well as your statistics – the client will be looking for very specific models with particular attributes and your statistics will quickly help identify whether you meet that criteria.
Sarah Ferguson is the founder of SFViper.com America’s next top model website. Her first product will be a 52 Week National Calendar with winners chosen to represent their state.