Reverse
Auctions
Models
can get the lowest portfolio photography rates!
Help yourself for low cost photography and other services by using our
online bidding system. Save up over 50% off of any service that you
need for your modeling career!
As a model, you will have to pay for these services. You might as well
save money while you do it.
POST
YOUR NEED
Post
what you need on any Internet message board.
GET
INSTRUCTIONS
IS
THIS ETHICAL?
This free
and easy to use online bidding board was developed by models who have
had photographers and other service vendors bid against each other to
win their business. The lowest bid wins, of course, and that's the idea.
They saved over 50% and more, and you can do the same! Follow the rules
and make them use the board, and this will work nicely.
This bidding
system is brand new and the first of its kind to be used in the modeling
industry. It was launched on Monday, October 18, 2004, and many people
do not know about it yet. Photographers cannot use something that they
do not know about, and you need as many as possible to bid in order
to lower the rate. Your success using this will depend upon how many
photographers post bids for your service need, and you will need to
send them to your post. The advantage of doing this is that you can
screen most of the photographer bidding for quality, and that will not
be an issue. In the future, photographers will be coming here to bid
on their own, and the models will have to review their work before allowing
them to bid or accepting their bid as final.
Instructions
Follow
these easy steps exactly. Follow the rules for bidding and you will
get the lowest rates. Allow photographers to sidetrack the process by
contacting you directly and you will waste money that you do not have
to spend- stick to the script and you will save a lot of money. You
do not need to be in the Tampa Bay area to use our system. You can be
anywhere in the world. Shop for photographers and service suppliers
in your area.
As a model looking for services, you are the customer and you call the
shots. Photographer have no right to overcharge you for services, and
you have the right to seek a lower rate and pay them a fair rate. All
the cards are in your hand. They have to convince you to invest in their
services, and that gives you both the power and leverage in any negotiations.
Do not let someone convince you to spend more than you have to. Use
this system like it is designed to be used and follow our simple rules
and you will save more than enough money to make the easy effort worth
it.
Don't accept their rates! NEGOTIATE. Nothing is as
cut and dry as they would have you believe. Many photographer will discount
their services to get your business, ESPECIALLY when they have competitors
bidding against them for the sale!
For these instructions, we will specify that the model is looking for
a photographer, but this can be used for any modeling industry service
that they are dealing with.
Tampa Bay Modeling assumes no liability or responsibility for business
conducted on the bidding board. All participants accept all risks and
potential liability. For more, please read our reverse auction bidding
board DISCLAIMER.
Economic
Rule: Competition drives down prices.
Complicated? It's not! It's easy to create a competitive scenario that
will save you money. Try it and see how easy it can be. Many photographers
market their services with rates and are always trying to underbid other
photographers to get business. Make this simple fact work for you!
Models
should NOT reveal their real identity until they accept the bid that
they want and set up their service or shoot. Use a YAHOO or HOTMAIL
disposable E-Mail account. DO NOT use your real E-Mail account.
Keep the control where it belongs- with you!
MODEL
INSTRUCTIONS - PHOTOGRAPHER
INSTRUCTIONS - SERVICE
VENDOR INSTRUCTIONS
Model
Instructions
Just five minutes gets you started.
Quick
Process
1. LOOK
at our suggested RATE
INDEX to see what a fair rate is in Tampa Bay or Florida. Use this
to evaluate your bids.
2. POST WHAT
YOU NEED with a description of what you are looking for,
what city you are in, and when you need it. You can look at the posts
of other models on the board to get an idea of what to post.
3. GET LETTER
to E-Mail to the photographers and invite them to bid for your business.
The more photographers that bid, the lower your rate can go.
4. GET TIPS to improve the bidding
process and get a lower rate.
5. GET AGREEMENT to close the deal.
Don't
know the process or this is your first time? Take five minutes and learn
the process with easy instructions!
Process
With Instructions
1.
POST
A DESCRIPTION of what you need on our online bidding board.
First, get familiar with our SUGGESTED
RATES for model photography so you know what is fair. When you figure
out what you need, post it. Post a request for services on Tampa Bay
Modeling's reverse auction message board. Sample request would be like
"I am looking for four looks for my portfolio, and I'd like to
do this between November 3 and 15. I am a model in the Tampa Bay area.
Please give me what you would charge for this, and I will consider working
with the photographer with the lowest bid for my requirement. Do not
contact me directly. To be considered, you must post your bid on this
board". Post WHAT you need, WHEN you need it, and request the quotes
(bids) to be placed on the board (this is very important, and we will
explain). When you post your bid thread, give it the SAME NAME AS THE
E-MAIL (Hotmail or Yahoo) ADDRESS NAME YOU ARE USING so photographers
can find your bid! You can also cut and paste the URL of your thread
into the body of your invitation E-Mail to give them a direct link.
2. SHOP
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS or service vendors.
Go to a search engine or an online photography directory. Look for photographers
in your local area. Look at the pictures on their web site. Only deal
with photographers who do good work. If their photography is flawed
or that cannot demonstrate range, keep shopping. If they list their
rates, note that everything is negotiable and you should be able to
reduce that rate by a good percentage. We've had models get over 50%
off, and in a few cases they got over 75% off the photographers normal
rate. Once you have compiled a list of contact E-Mails, E-Mail all the
photographers an invitation to bid for your business by ending them
a simple E-Mail with a link to your post on our bidding board (cut and
paste the address on your browser window to make it easy for them, or
add this general address: http://www.network54.com/Forum/357360
. Get a sample letter HERE, and feel free to change what you need to.
Models do not have to disclose who they are when they use this, and
should stay anonymous until they actually accept the photographer bid
and meet with them to sign their agreement.
GET INVITATION LETTER.
3.
DRIVE THE BIDDING process.
This is critical. Don't just post and sit back. be proactive and take
the initiative. You're the boss!
Once you post your service requirement and a few photographers have
bid, you need to keep adding the photographers. The more photographers
who enter the bidding process, the more you will potentially be able
to save. If you only have a few photographers, there will be less incentive
to lower their rates.
GET AS MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS AS POSSIBLE TO BID ON YOUR NEED!
You cannot allow photographer to privately bid or to contact you with
a deal. You will be giving away money that you do not have to give away
unless you stick to the plan. They must post their bid on the bidding
board so the other photographers who are bidding can see WHO they are
and WHAT they are bidding. The photographers will look at the quality
of the other photographers work, and will look at their rates. Their
competitive nature will help drive the rate lower and lower.
Remember: There are a lot of photographers out there. There are fewer
models. Competition is fierce, and my making them post publicly, you
facilitate an environment conducive to competition and will get a lower
rate. Most photographers will be obligated to participate in this process
simply because their competition will be doing it and they would lose
your business by default.
Do NOT let the photographers bid anonymously. The other
photographers MUST be able to see who they are, the work that they do,
and the rates that they are bidding. all these factors will drive down
the bids and this process will save you money.
If a photographer that you did not invite to bid jumps into a bid, look
at their work. If it would not meet your needs, you do not have to accept
their bid as final if they underbid the others. Let them bid if they
want to, as it will help the process, but don't say anything to them.
Simply accept the best photographer at the lowest rate you can get.
4.
CLOSE the deal.
As their customer, you choose the final bid. It doesn't have to be the
lowest on on the board, but the lowest bid at the most ideal quality
of service. Announce on the thread "I have made my section. The
bidding has been closed for this job."
You do not need to announce who you have chosen, and there is no time
limit on the process other than the one that you have set.
Contact the photographer and set up a meeting to sign the service agreement
at your low rate. Check their references. If the photographer misrepresents
their work or misleads you, simply walk away and choose again from the
bidding board. If the photographer tries to convince you to book services
at a higher rate or tries to modify what was originally agreed upon,
run away and report them to the authorities! This is unethical and illegal,
and could be a case for fraud or using deceptive trade practices.
If you need an agreement to use for your booked rate, use THIS.
When you meet with the photographer and sign the deal, stick to the
original deal. DO NOT LISTEN TO ANY ALTERNATIVE DEALS. If they do good
work and you might consider working with them in the future, consider
alternative deals in the future. For now, insist on the quoted rate
and your service requirement.
DISCLAIMER
The results of this service are not guaranteed. Savings in services
specified were from models who have used reverse bidding techniques
used in Tampa Bay Modeling's Reverse Auction System. The service if
provided as a service free of charge for models, and no guarantees expressed.
Results of the use of this service vary case by case, and is mainly
up to the model and how they conduct themselves. In general, the more
people that you get to bid, the lower the bids tend to go.
Tampa Bay Modeling and its affiliates are not responsible for any interaction,
business conducted, or services booked on our Reverse Auction Bidding
Board. False statement, misleading bids, flaming, and defamatory posts
will not be tolerated, and will be removed upon discovery. Tampa Bay
Modeling reserves the right to remove or edit posts on our board at
our discretion, at any time, and with no reason given.
All participants accept full responsibility from the use of our bidding
boards, and waive Tampa Bay Modeling and our affiliates from any and
all claims of libel, slander, fraud, cyber stalking, and any civil or
criminal infraction.
Opinions on any public message board are the opinions of the author
that posted them, and may not necessarily be the opinions of Tampa Bay
Modeling.
Q&A
File: Questions and Answers. Updated as we get them.
Tips:
How to use our bidding system to save money
Reverse
Auction Bidding Message Board Resources
Sample
service requests that models might place on board.
Letters for models to send to
photographers or service vendors.
Agreement for booking services at the agreed rates.
Suggested
Photography Rates
POST
A COMMENT - TERMS
OF USE - MODELING
RATE SHEETS - ABOUT
US
Photographer
Instructions
Business
rule: This can be a great way to sell your photography services. Remember
that.
You might not like the fact that models are pressuring you to participate
in the modeling industry's first reverse auction program. You may even
try to ignore them. That would be like throwing away business, however,
and is not the way to deal with this.
The best way to deal with this program is stay positive and use it to
market your quality services! Think about it- there are models who like
your work enough to consider booking you for their portfolio. The only
thing that they want is a fair rate for your services, and we hope that
you understand.
Learn the process and embrace it. Your bank account will thank you!
Think about this: How many shoots have you lost to other photographers
who do not do work anywhere near as high quality as you do but charge
a lot more? There are photographers out there who can talk a good sales
pitch who have below average skill but can close a sale. Sometimes,
they will embellish the value of their work and try to pitch themselves
as a larger player in the modeling industry with connections to convince
models to pay extremely high rates. The insult to injury comes when
the model pays high rates for pictures that end up worthless, and when
they finally find you they no longer have any money left to invest in
your services.
Would you rather discount your services or not have the booking to begin
with. Not participating with this service is a mistake when you have
models looking for the services that you offer! Your competition will
be bidding, too, so at the very least you'll have to play the game to
be in the running to winning a job.
THIS SERVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO DRIVE RATES BELOW PROFIT MARGINS. We
do not want photographers to go out of business over this. You may have
to discount your rates a little to keep up, but even if the rate bids
go lower than you can do, you can still win the job! How is this? Because
if your quality is good, the models might still give you the booking,
even if a hundred other photographers have bids that are lower. The
photographers who bid too low will either demonstrate that they don't
know what they are doing or their work will be so bad that a lower rate
will not do much to hurt your consideration. Most models who are smart
enough to use this service are also smart enough to know the difference
between good and bad photography.
If you are as low as you can possibly go with your rate bid, let them
know. Post something like "I bid $400.00 for this job, and this
offer stands firm". Don't give up. For every post that offers a
lower rate, repost your offer even if it is more. If you stay visible
in the bidding process, at least you are still in the running for consideration
even if your rates are higher, that is if your quality is good, because
you are still visible to the model. Quality often wins out over rate
pricing, anyway, and wouldn't you rather compete on the grounds of the
quality of your work instead of rates?
Everyone can win with this program. The smart photographer will go here
often to check out models who are looking for services so they can offer
what they have to give. That's smart.
ETHICS
OF REVERSE AUCTIONS
We have already heard from at least one respected professional that
this may not be ethical. We disagree. This is exercising freedom in
the market at its best.
From
Webster's dictionary - "Ethical": Being in accordance
with the accepted principles of right and wrong that govern the conduct
of a profession. "Unethical": Not adhering to ethical
or moral principles; "base and unpatriotic motives"; "a
base, degrading way of life"; "cheating is dishonorable";
"they considered colonialism immoral"; "unethical practices
in handling public funds".
Models,
this is a changing modeling industry. You need to be open to new ideas
and the progress that doing this differently enables. There is nothing
unethical or wrong with open competition and shopping for the best
rates; we do it every day when we shop for things that we need. It's
time that we apply these strategies to model photography and modeling
industry services.
Reverse Auctions are considered to be ethical and are now accepted
business practices used by corporations to have subcontractors bid
for jobs. There is noting immoral or illegal about it, nor is it "cheating".
For proof, go to any search engines and enter "Reverse Auctions"
in the search field.
Reverse Auctions have been proven to work, and are revolutionizing
the way the business world contracts for work. We are introducing
this proven concept to the modeling world. Reverse Auctions are an
alien concept to the modeling industry, and people may not understand
them at first. It is a known fact that people who are uninformed automatically
assume the worst of anything that they do not immediately understand.
We challenge you to take the time to understand this process and make
up your own mind. If you still think that it is unethical, please
feel free to not use this and pay whatever rates a photographer dictates
to you.
Smart models will use this system, save over 50%, and realize that
they have the power and the ability to negotiate for what they need.
RETURN
TO INSTRUCTIONS
POST
A COMMENT - TERMS
OF USE - MODELING
RATE SHEETS - ABOUT
US
Tips:
How to use our bidding system to save money
1. Read
the instructions.
2. Communicate your needs.
3. Follow the rules.
4. Don't consider photographers who
do not cooperate.
5. Know what fair rates are for Tampa
Bay.
6. Don't disrespect the photographers.
7. Drive the bids.
8. Be professional.
9. Handle rejection.
RETURN
TO INSTRUCTIONS
POST
A COMMENT - TERMS
OF USE - MODELING
RATE SHEETS - ABOUT
US
Read the instructions.
Take five minute and read the instructions. This is not hard to do,
but you need to know the rules. How can you play the game and win if
you don't know the rules? If you are reading this, you probably just
read the rules and understand them. Read the rest of these tips and
get ready to save some money.
TIPS
MENU
Communicate
your needs.
POST YOUR REQUEST. You need to
post exactly what you need so you don't have to clarify yourself. The
photographers need to know what they are bidding on.
INVITE THE PHOTOGRAPHER.
Send an E-Mail like this or copy it and fill in the blanks to get the
photographers to bid on your request for services.
TIPS
MENU
Follow
the rules.
You need to stick to plan, and do not get tempted to go off course.
Don't allow photographers to convince you to accept a private bid for
their services. Why? Because if the other photographers can see their
bid, they will try to underbid it, which will cause them to lower their
bid to keep your interest. The rules are there to help you get the most
out of this.
TIPS
MENU
Don't
consider them if they do not cooperate.
Some photographers might get angry that a "model" is asking
them to bid on services. They will explain that their rates are listed
on their web site and that's what they are. They will tell you that
you are unprofessional. Remember- You are the buyer, and they are the
seller. It is a buyers market. They are in business to sell their services
to you. If they complain and refuse to cooperate, delete their harsh
E-Mail and keep looking for other photographers. There are plenty of
good photographers out there. If they threaten you, keep their E-Mail
on file and report them. Most photographers cannot follow through on
their threats, but since they do not know who you are (until you accept
their bid, of course), you're safe.
If they see that their competition is competing against them, they will
lower their rates for you or risk losing a sale.
TIPS
MENU
Know
what fair rates are for Tampa Bay.
CHECK
RATE SHEET. You need to know what a fair rate for model portfolio
photography is in Tampa Bay. If they go too low with their bids, you
need to find out the reason that they can offer you low rates. If their
rates are too high, use our bidding boards to bring them back down to
earth! That's a good photographer. Good boy.
TIPS
MENU
Don't
disrespect the photographers.
You're trying to get a fair rate. You are not trying to make them lose
money. Be polite and professional, and realize that it's not wrong for
a photographer to make a profit. That's why they are in business as
a professional, and you really don't want to work for a photographer
who runs a charity. Don't talk down to the photographer and don't be
condescending; they will be more open to respecting you in return.
TIPS
MENU
Drive
the bids.
The more photographers who bid on you, the more competition, and the
lower the rates can go. It can really be that simple. Go find as many
photographers as you can and send them your E-Mail message! Once you
write it for one photographer, you can sent the same one to others,
too. Ah, the joy and the power of the Internet! Use this E-MAIL
LETTER TEMPLATE.
TIPS
MENU
Be
professional.
Be polite and professional. Keep your opinions to yourself. Don't get
into arguments or debates with the photographers- just go to the next
one if they have a problem with you. If you are professional you will
be treated and respected as a professional.
TIPS
MENU
Handle
rejection.
You're a model. Rejection comes with the business. No matter what you
do, you will have to deal with it. You will get some photographers annoyed
with this, but remember that you cannot make everyone happy, and in
the end the money that you will save will make any trouble worth it.
TIPS
MENU
Sample
service request that models might place on board.
"I am a model from Tampa, Florida, and I need a six look portfolio
session in the month of October. Please place your bid for what I need
in order to be considered."
Letters
for models to send to photographers or service vendors.
"Hello! I am a model who has seen your work, and I am interested
in you providing the photography services that I am in need of. I am
inviting you to join a group bidding process known as a reverse auction
on the Internet for the job that I have posted there. While I respect
your work and your rates as a professional photographer, I am looking
for the best rates and the best quality of photography work.
If you would like to bid for my business, please do so by going here:
____________________.
Although I look forward to the chance of working with you, I cannot
consider your services unless you participate with my bidding process.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing what rates you
can offer me on the board."
___________________________________________________
"Hello! My name is (First name only, preferably made up), and
I have seen your work. I am interested in you providing the photography
services that I am in need of. I am inviting you to join a group bidding
process known as a reverse auction on the Internet for the job that
I have posted there. While I respect your work and your rates as a professional
photographer, I am looking for the best rates and the best quality of
photography work.
If you would like to bid for my business, please do so by going here:
____________________.
Although I look forward to the chance of working with you, I cannot
consider your services unless you participate with my bidding process.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing what rates you
can offer me on the board.
Sincerely,
(First name only, preferably made up)."
RETURN
TO INSTRUCTIONS
UPDATED
08/19/06