Athletic Women Magazine September 2014 November 2013 | Page 6

Let’s start with the premise that whatever direction you choose to go, be consistent. Remember: You’re creating a product or brand, said product being you the model. If fans and industry people can’t find that product on the store shelves, you’re not doing your job.

If you do one shoot with your real name, the next with an alias and the following shoot with yet another alias, you’re confusing the matter. Make your choice; practice consistency.

I strongly recommend using a model alias. There are multiple reasons for making this choice.

As a fitness model, your product is your physique. In this business, a sexy hardbody sells. When you’re showing off that hardbody, some of your shoots will feature minimal clothing.

Not everyone will embrace your image.

You may be fine with that image, but there will always be people that are far less accepting of this than you are. This could be anyone from your employer to family members. An alias in the model world gives you an extra layer of privacy in the real world.

 

The person you are today might be quite different from the person you will be five years from now.

Right now, the spotlight might be great, but what happens if you need more anonymity in the future?

Creating a model alias provides you with extra options in the future. 

One of the major reasons why the web is a superior vehicle to print is that once you publish something on the web, it keeps working to bring you exposure long after a print piece dies.

Excellent when you want the exposure, but should you ever decide to change directions, your published web material awaits discovery by anyone curious enough to Google your name. Again, a model alias provides you with that extra security should you decide to take a different direction with your life.

What's In A Name

The dilemma: Use a model alias or your real name?

by J.P. Erickson