How Can I Become America's Next Top Model?

Understand the business. Regardless of the career you choose, an understanding of how the business works is crucial. Being a model involves more than looking pretty for the camera. Understand the odds you will face on your path to becoming a model. Be prepared to accept those odds and work hard in spite of them. Investigate modeling agencies and learn what they do and how they could benefit your career.

Prepare a portfolio. This is arguably the most important step. A professional set of photographs will be expensive, but the cost is a business expense that you can't afford to do with out. If you have a friend or family member who can do the portfolio for little or no cost, so much the better, but make sure she can do a professional job. A poor set of pictures will do your career no good. Saving money will not benefit you if your portfolio doesn't show your attributes to their fullest.

Consider signing with a modeling agency as soon as possible. An agency will typically take 10 to 15 percent of the earnings generated by your modeling jobs, but a good agency will keep you working. Do a Google search for "talent and modeling agencies" and you'll find hundreds to choose from. Make a list of agencies that look promising and then do another Google search to see if you can find positive or negative feedback about the agency. Contact the prospective agency and ask it to provide a list of its clients and to show specific examples of work it has gotten for its clients. Most importantly, don't pay an agency to represent you. A legitimate agency will get paid when it gets work for you.

Start small. Don't be a prima donna. You're not going to be America's next top model overnight. Take small jobs. The more work you do, the more known you become. Be professional on the job. Be on time and don't be difficult. Word of mouth is important in this business. If you're a professional, others will find out. It won't take long before companies are looking for you.

Enter contests. Again, a Google search will provide many beauty pageants and contests. Make a list of the ones that look good and research them. A lot of pageants offer huge cash prizes and big contracts.

Market yourself wisely. Remember that many companies present an image and they want their models to adhere to that image. Be careful how you portray yourself. Use a webpage or Myspace to promote yourself, but the images you post and the words you write about yourself will be something that prospective employers will take into account. Present the kind of image you believe will appeal to a big company. Lewd, drunken behavior and constant partying won't cut it.

Work hard and don't give up. Have confidence in yourself. You will need to harden yourself against rejection. It happens frequently in the entertainment business. You won't become America's next big model overnight, but if you follow these steps, you'll be on the road to achieving your dream.