My name is Alfie Coe, I’m 22 years old, and like many people, I became interested in modelling without really knowing where or how to start. The modelling industry can look glamorous from the outside, but once you step into it, you realise it’s competitive, unpredictable, and heavily based on mindset, consistency, and how you carry yourself as a person.
This blog isn’t about overnight success or fake promises. It’s about what actually matters when starting out in modelling: networking, exercise, confidence, handling rejection, being personable, and putting yourself in a position where good opportunities naturally come your way.
Understanding What Modelling Really Is
Before anything else, it’s important to understand that modelling is a business. You are the product, but you are also the brand. Agencies, photographers, and brands are not just looking for a face or a body. They’re looking for reliability, professionalism, personality, and someone who is easy to work with.
Many people don’t get opportunities not because they aren’t good-looking enough, but because they don’t understand how the industry works or how to present themselves properly.
Building the Right Mindset First
Confidence is one of the most important things in modelling, but it doesn’t mean being arrogant. It means being comfortable with who you are and what you bring to the table.
When you’re starting out, it’s normal to feel nervous or unsure. I’ve learned that confidence grows from action, not from waiting to feel ready. Every shoot, casting, or conversation builds confidence over time.
You don’t need approval from everyone. If you rely on external validation, rejection will hit harder. Instead, focus on self-belief and improvement. The industry respects people who back themselves calmly and consistently.
Exercise and Physical Care Matter
Modelling doesn’t require perfection, but it does require effort. Looking after your body is part of the job. Regular exercise improves posture, energy levels, and overall presence, which are all crucial in front of a camera.
You don’t need to train obsessively, but consistency matters. Strength training, cardio, stretching, and good nutrition all help you feel better in your body. When you feel good physically, it shows in how you move, pose, and interact with others.
Sleep is also underrated. Turning up tired and drained affects performance more than people realise.
Creating a Strong First Impression
Your first impression starts before you even meet someone. How you communicate online, how you show up on time, and how you dress all matter.
You don’t need expensive clothes, but you should understand basic style and grooming. Clean, fitted clothing, good hygiene, and simple confidence go a long way. In modelling, presence is often more important than perfection.
Being polite, respectful, and attentive instantly separates you from others. People remember how you make them feel.
Networking Is Everything
Networking is one of the biggest factors in getting opportunities. Many jobs don’t come from open castings but from recommendations and relationships.
Networking doesn’t mean being fake or pushy. It means talking to people genuinely, showing interest in their work, and being easy to work with. Photographers, stylists, makeup artists, and other models can all help open doors.
Go to events, collaborate on test shoots, and connect with people on social media in a respectful way. Follow up, say thank you, and stay in touch without overdoing it.
Opportunities often come months or even years later from a connection you made when you weren’t expecting anything.
Learning How to Handle Rejection
Rejection is part of modelling. You will hear “no” more times than “yes,” even when you’re doing everything right. This doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.
Sometimes you’re too tall, too short, too commercial, too editorial, or simply not the right fit for that job. Most of the time, rejection has nothing to do with your worth.
The key is not taking it personally. Every “no” builds resilience. Every rejection teaches you how to stay calm, professional, and focused.
The models who succeed long-term are the ones who don’t get disheartened and quit too early.
Being Personable and Easy to Work With
Talent matters, but personality keeps you booked. People want to work with models who are respectful, positive, and adaptable.
Being personable means listening, taking direction well, and staying calm under pressure. It means not complaining, not acting entitled, and not bringing ego into the room.
If you’re pleasant to be around, people will want to rebook you and recommend you. That’s how careers are built quietly over time.
Attracting the Right Opportunities
Good opportunities come when preparation meets consistency. When you look after yourself, show up professionally, and build relationships, doors start opening naturally.
You don’t need to chase everything. Sometimes the best opportunities come when you focus on becoming better rather than desperate. Brands and agencies can sense when someone is grounded and serious.
Patience is important. Modelling careers don’t always move fast, but steady progress is more sustainable than quick hype.
Final Thoughts
Starting in the modelling industry isn’t about being perfect or lucky. It’s about mindset, effort, resilience, and how you treat people.
If you’re thinking of starting, understand that rejection is normal, confidence is built, and success comes from consistency. Take care of your body, network genuinely, stay professional, and don’t let setbacks define you.
The industry rewards those who keep showing up, improving, and believing in themselves even when it’s tough.