025 - Charting the Course from Instagram Feed to Agency Spotlight – Guiding Taz Toward That Dream Modeling Contract!
Welcome back, empire builders, to another invigorating episode of KB's Self Pub Empire, where we dive deep into the real, actionable ways to transform those social media posts – the ones bursting with your personal creativity, your raw passion, and all that untapped potential – into a clear, purposeful roadmap that doesn't just gather likes but actually opens doors to meaningful opportunities and real income in your creative pursuit. I'm Kevin Brandt, your host, and folks, let me tell you, I'm genuinely fired up today because we're zeroing in on something that's been building in our conversations for a while now: helping my friend Taz, the aspiring model with the Instagram handle nottazmanian, take those determined steps toward her ultimate goal of being noticed and signed by one of those powerhouse modeling agencies in New York City. You know the ones – Wilhelmina Models with their incredible diversity, IMG Models where icons like Gigi Hadid got their start, Elite Model Management as a global force, Ford Models with that legendary discovery legacy, and New York Model Management always on the lookout for fresh, compelling faces. In this moment of 2026, when agency scouts are more active than ever on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, searching for talent who can bring both visual impact and genuine personality to campaigns, Taz's journey is the perfect illustration of what we stand for here: moving from scattered, heartfelt posts that might otherwise fade into the background to a strategic, professional presence that commands attention and leads straight to contracts. And honestly, as I sit here thinking about her path – the mix of Chicago and Milwaukee roots, those emotional pulls toward New York, the test shoots, the collaborations, the candid city moments – I get excited because I know with the right refinements, she's on the verge of something big.
Let me go off script for a second here, because this hits close to home. I've watched Taz pour her heart into her feed – it's got this beautiful, diary-like quality right now, with posts about missing New York, sweet shoutouts to friends like Caden, fashion fits tagged with photographers and brands, those "crybaby" and "hideaway" vibes mixed in with model stuff and random life snapshots. It's real, it's vulnerable, it's her – and that's powerful. But here's the thing: while that authenticity draws people in and makes her memorable on a human level, agencies in 2026 are scrolling fast. They need to see bookable potential in seconds – your natural features, your range, your measurements, your ability to adapt to commercial, editorial, or high-fashion demands – without having to dig through too much personal narrative to find it. So the thrill is in the evolution: we keep that emotional core that makes Taz unique, that "NYC Dream Chaser Diary" thread we've been refining, but we shift the balance so the grid screams professional model first, with the heartstrings woven in thoughtfully around the edges. It's not about losing who she is; it's about framing her story so scouts can't help but envision her in their next campaign.
Start right at the profile itself, because this is the first impression, the digital handshake. Update that bio to be crisp and stats-forward: "Taz | she/her | Aspiring Model | [Height] | Bust/Waist/Hips | Chicago/Milwaukee & NYC-ready | Open to Representation | tazmodeling@email.com | 📸 Digitals & Test Shoots." Make the profile picture a clean, natural-light headshot – neutral expression, minimal makeup, nothing distracting – so a scout sees potential immediately. Switch to or confirm a Creator or Business account for those analytics insights that show who's visiting and when, just like we track book performance in self-publishing to know what's resonating. Then, for the link in bio, set up a simple Linktree or Linkpop hub: one button for "Digitals & Stats," another for "Portfolio," one for "Contact," so any interested rep can jump straight to the essentials without friction.
When it comes to the content itself, this is where the real narrative shift happens, and it's exciting because it builds on what Taz already does so well. Aim for a cohesive grid aesthetic – think soft urban neutrals, natural daylight, minimal editing – where the majority, say 70 to 80 percent, becomes unmistakably professional modeling material. Post fresh digitals regularly – those essential unretouched snapshots in plain backgrounds, simple fitted clothing, showing front, side, full-body, close-up, smile – as carousels or dedicated posts. Add versatile test shoots: different outfits, beauty close-ups, movement in Reels demonstrating natural walks and poses. Behind-the-scenes from collaborations – credit those photographers like @pixiegazingphotography or @kennyhoopla – keep the gratitude flowing but frame it professionally. The remaining 20 to 30 percent can still capture that city life she loves – New York explorations, hidden spots, music moments – but tie them back to the modeling world, like wearing a look while wandering or reflecting on how the city's energy fuels her drive. Save the deeper emotional diary entries – the longing for New York, the birthday wishes, the "things I've seen" reflections – for Stories or a "Diary" highlight reel, so the main feed stays scout-friendly while her personality shines through in the more intimate spaces.
Captions should stay in her voice – conversational, heartfelt, a touch chaotic in the best way – but pivot to reinforce the professional angle: "Fresh digitals submitted – raw, real, ready for whatever comes next in this city that's got my heart. Who's chasing dreams with me? 📸💼 #NYCModel #ModelDigitals #AspiringModel." Use targeted hashtags sparingly – five to eight max, like #NewFace #TestShoot #OpenToRepresentation – to help with discoverability. Engage relentlessly: reply to comments, run polls on looks, collaborate on more test shoots, and subtly engage agency accounts by liking and commenting authentically on their posts. This builds momentum and signals to the algorithm – and to scouts – that she's active, connected, and growing.
And let's expand the story beyond Instagram, because no single platform tells the full tale. On TikTok, lean into short, dynamic videos that showcase movement and personality – pose transitions, "Get Ready With Me" for shoots, trend-adapted walks – to catch viral potential and scout eyes in new ways. Mirror the stats-focused bio there and cross-post key professional Reels. Build that simple website – Wix, Squarespace, even a free option – as the central portfolio hub: galleries of digitals and tests, measurements page, short self-tape video of her walking and posing, contact form. Link it everywhere. LinkedIn can add a professional networking layer with a headline like "Aspiring Fashion & Commercial Model | Open to Opportunities," connecting her to scouts and industry folks.
The most exhilarating part? Bridging to direct action. While the refined social presence creates organic discovery, most signings come through official submissions. Research agencies that fit her look and market, prepare the package – updated digitals, measurements, strong test images, short video – and submit via their websites' "Become a Model" forms with concise emails and links. Track responses, attend open calls if in NYC, and persist – send to dozens over time. In the coming weeks, update the profile and digitals; over the next months, consistent posts, new shoots, submissions. This is the arc that turns aspiration into contract.
Taz, your story has me genuinely excited – that raw heart mixed with this sharpened focus is going to be unstoppable. Empire builders, whether you're modeling like Taz or building your own creative venture, it's the same truth: intentional refinement plus persistent action turns posts into breakthroughs. In a future podcast, we'll unpack self-tape essentials and submission strategies to keep pushing forward. I hope this helps you go from posts... to profits!