Are You Looking for Free Targeted Advertising?

There are many free advertising programs out there and many of them are worth the effort. Know, as I'm sure you know there is a big difference between getting traffic and making a sale. This article does not discuss the art of making the hard sale but does discuss how to get a potential qualified customer to your site the good old fashion way.

The good old fashion way means putting some effort into it and saving your pennies. The effort consists of manually submitting your site information to the hundreds of free directories and free classified sites, plus joining and using traffic exchange sites. It may seem daunting at first but believe me it will pay off over time. I have promoted my site around these three concepts and I can tell you they work.

I promise you that if you put out the effort on these three concepts a good percentage of your traffic will be generated from them and here's why. In most cases these types of promotional sites have a large affiliate program that bring in good-targeted traffic. Once the surfer enters the directory or classifieds site they will search on your keywords, which classifies them as being a quality, targeted click-through. In most cases the traffic exchange sites offer search capability as well.
by: Dennis Watson

Problems with the Fashion Industry

By Jordi Shoman


There are numerous dilemmas plaguing the modern fashion industry. Advertising in the fashion industry can be blamed for many of society's problems with weight and eating disorders. There are many individuals in the world who do not have the ideal body type and the aggressive advertising campaigns waged by numerous fashion companies, portraying beautiful, skinny models and muscle clad men, create this illusion that this is the perfect body type and everyone should strive to look exactly like this. This puts a great deal of stress on people to try and look this way. These types of advertisements have an enormous impact on the youth at the present as many of them appear in youth magazines.

Another very prominent problem facing the fashion industry is the extreme body forms many of the models are portraying. The vast majority of catwalk models are dangerously skinny and it has been suggested that they even suffer from malnourishment. Members of the youth, upon seeing these outrageously skinny models, may become obsessed with wanting to look like them to the extent to which they develop some eating disorder.

Of course these are just problems on the surface of the fashion industry. Underneath all of this is the issue of sweatshops and child labor. In search of a cheap, exploitable labor base, many multinational fashion companies relocate to the lesser developed countries of the world. In doing so they can hire young children to work for very long hours and at very low wages, especially since many of these children are so desperate. Furthermore, many of the less fortunate countries have no laws in place to protect children from being exploited in this manner at the hands of multinational organizations. As such, the slave-labored children do not have any means through which they can lobby for better wages or better working conditions and, if they wish to continue making the minute amount of money they are at the present, they must simply tolerate the conditions they are subject to.

Timeless Fashion Tips

By Suzy O'Connor


As we head for winter some of us will be thinking about updating our wardrobe. However, there's no need to change everything - there's a lot you can do with key items that never go out of style - and you've probably already got them. Here are some tips on making the most of our favourite 'fab four' timeless classic items.

Little black dress

The LBD has earned its place as one of the most loved items in your average girl's wardrobe.

If you're buying a new one spend as much as you can afford on a good cut and stay away from obvious current trends such as asymmetric designs, ruffles and bows if you want this item to serve well over time. The right LBD should be simple, tailored and classic.

How to wear it

- Dress your LBD up with killer embellished heels and a statement piece of jewellery.
- Go girly with cute low heeled courts and a pretty pashmina in a matching colour.
- Make it feminine and classic with a 40s style jacket and boots.

White shirt

Flattering and dependable, the white shirt is a girl's best friend if kept crisp and clean. However, white can add width to your silhouette so it is important to choose a style that flatters your shape. Wrap around styles are kind to most figures, or try one of the current oversized shirts, which look fab and are bang on trend! Don't forget to wear a skin-coloured bra as apposed to a white one underneath.

How to wear it

- Wear an oversized white shirt with black leggings and boots for a very current look.
- Classic styles look great with pencil skirts, which are hot this season and are perfect for the office with mid heels.
- Casual and cool, wear it with your 'boyfriend jeans' for an effortlessly laidback look.

Smart jeans

Don't underrate a good quality pair of straight leg jeans. Smart denim can look great dressed up or down for a huge variety of looks. The right pair of jeans won't date, and if the fit is flattering you can wear them for everyday casual looks, right through to nights out and, increasingly, in the workplace too.

How to wear them

- Pair with a white fitted t-shirt for smart/casual timeless style.
- Top your jeans with a pretty camisole and heels for a night out.
- Team with a tailored jacket for work if it's appropriate for your job. Dark indigo denims will look smartest and stick with smart boots or low heels.

Mac or Trench

You can wear this item for most of the year and depending on how chilly it gets, sometimes right through winter. Macs are feminine, flattering and functional and though they are a classic item for your wardrobe, they're also huge right now following Burberry's campaign featuring fashionista Emma Watson.

How to wear it

You don't have to go for an ubiquitous neutral shade, there are lots of pretty coloured mac's around right now, so pick a shade that suits you out of this season's hottest hues; purples, blues, rose shades and olive greens or go for a more classic neutral or honey tone with a silk scarf to add some contrast.

Macs are a wonderfully flattering cut for most figures, fitted, nipped at the waist with a fuller skirt. They look great with anything tailored or slim cut so you should have lots of options!

Fashion For Male Models, Direct From the Catwalk

By Suzy O'Connor

There's always plenty of fashion advice out there for women, but what about men? This article is dedicated to all the budding male models out there who would like a little fashion guidance for Autumn/Winter 2009.

Smart dress - The 2009 suit guide:
This year, though we have moved away from the 'skinny boy' suit, we have not said goodbye to the slim-cut suit altogether. It's classic meets modern in 2009-2010, and the ideal suit for men will be a fusion of classic tailoring and the modern masculine silhouette. The English suit is the most classic of all and English suits are known for their slim military cut. (This military theme will also be present in men's Jackets for Autumn/Winter - see 'Casual dress')

The most fashionable suits in 2009/2010 should follow three basic guidelines:
• Broad shoulders • Slim waist • Slim trousers
Also look out for the return of the double breasted suit, for which the guidelines above apply equally well. These new cuts are designed to highlight a well-worked body, so it may be time for a trip to the gym!

Casual dress:
A good example of the fusion between elegance and modernity is the military-style jacket mentioned above, which may well be this season's must-have item for the fashion conscious man. Wear it with jeans for a laid-back look. You can also team your jeans with vintage t-shirts inspired by album artwork, tile print shirts and deep V-neck, slim-fit sweaters or cardigans.
The hottest hues for guys over the next few months are black, white and purples.

Current hair trends guide:
Whether you go smart or casual there is a hair trend to match. Hot looks for guys this year seem to be split between two main styles incorporating the fringe and the slick back.
The fringe can be a variety of lengths though backs and sides should remain short and neat. You can wear your fringe textured and 'undone' or swept over to the side, either way it looks great with a little layering and texture detail which can be achieved with wax.
The slick back style can be worn with or without a parting, try it both ways and try the parting on both sides before you settle on whichever suits you best. The product for this style of course has to be Brylcreem and if done right it works for all ages. George Clooney wears this trend with style if you need some guidance from a pro.

About Models Direct:
Models Direct is a talent and model agency for female models, male models, teen models, child models and baby models for advertising, fashion, film, TV, promotional and photographic modelling work. We are a Government-regulated Model Employment Agency... not an online showcase, we're the real thing

Model Advice and Glamor Modeling Career Tips: How Do I Get Into Glamour Modeling?

by: Alex Joy

Aspiring models often ask us, "How do I get into modeling?" or "How do I get started in modeling?" This article discusses the various types of modeling, and what it takes to make it in this challenging yet fun profession. You will also find some useful tips an advice on how to get started in teen modeling.

What are the different types of modeling?

There are basically five (5) different types of modeling. These are the broadest categories, with newer but smaller categories evolving all the time. Furthermore, these categories also overlap with each other at times.

1. COMMERCIAL MODELING (Television, Catalogs and Print-Ads):

Commercial models help promote products and services through ads in the electronic media such as Television and the Internet as well as through Print Advertising. They appear in commercials/ads, on product packaging, in magazines, on billboards, etc., and help promote all kinds of products and services ranging from computer equipment to medicines, apparel, shoes and cosmetics. This is by far the largest modeling and teen modeling category.

General Requirements for Commercial Modeling:

Contrary to popular belief, many successful commercial models look like normal, everyday people. If they walked past you on the street in normal everyday clothes and with little or no makeup, you would probably not look at them twice. However, what they do possess is the ability to express an emotion, and the ability to replicate that same look time and again. For starters, you can start practicing your best looks and poses in front of a mirror. Many successful models do 15 minutes of "mirror work" every day. Practice evoking different types of emotions through your expressions.

The ability to show different expressions, to be able to hold that expression so that the photographer can take multiple shots at different camera exposure settings, and the ability to create that expression again "at will" are all very useful qualities. The good news is that these qualities and talents can be developed. Good commercial models are also usually photogenic, but exceptions abound. Having a unique or "different" look is good but often not an absolute necessity. Personality, likeability (that the advertisers' audience or target market can relate to), being internally happy (i.e., liking yourself - because it does show through in your images) and being able to work long hours while at the same time enjoying the process are other attributes that successful commercial models seem to possess.

Most pictures on magazine covers are touched up and air-brushed on the computer for hours (called digital editing) to create the right look. If you have reasonably good features, a great photographer can make you look like a superstar! Remember, the glamorous superstars don't always look that way in real life. The real "magic" is in the camera, makeup and digital editing.

2. PROMOTIONAL MODELING (Tradeshows, Retail, Car Shows, Events, etc.):

Promotional modeling includes work at Tradeshows and Conventions, handing out Product Samples in Retail Stores, helping promote products or services at Car Shows, Boat Shows, Events, etc. What differentiates Promotional Modeling from Commercial Modeling above is the fact that for Promotional Modeling you have to be there in person, because you yourself (not your photo or video) are doing the promoting. While it may not appear as glamorous as Commercial Modeling, it can provide good income opportunities, and the jobs are usually easier to get. Creative forms of Promotional Marketing (often referred to as “Buzz Marketing”) and Event Marketing are gaining fast in popularity. It seems to be a high-growth area, and compensation seems to be improving too.

General Requirements for Promotional Modeling:

Promotional Modeling is about overall personality, interpersonal skills, being able to establish a quick rapport, and staying focused on the task at hand. You may meet a lot of different people, albeit each very briefly. If you thrive on meeting people and enjoy the hustle and bustle of a tradeshow environment, Promotional Modeling is usually easier to break into than Commercial Modeling, although exceptions are always there. Even though the job is not primarily about being photographed, you'll still want to look and act your best. Promotional/Event Modeling is a growing field.

3. FASHION MODELING (includes Runway, Fashion Shows, etc.):

Fashion models help launch new products and designs such as in apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry, swimwear, beachwear, etc. The walk the runway in fashion shows. Many large fashion shows also get media coverage, and a good fashion model can get print exposure in leading fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, etc. Similarly, if a fashion show is being covered by the broadcast media, there is a chance that you may appear on Television too. Many industry-specific fashion shows such as shows for apparel and swimwear can hire hundreds or thousands of models at a time.

General Requirements for Fashion Modeling:

Up until a few years ago, a height of at least 5 feet 9 inches was considered pretty much a requirement for Fashion Modeling – especially for the Runway (where you walk up and down a Runway, wearing clothes of a certain brand and/or designer). However, that is fast changing. Now, there are Fashion/Runway shows for pretty much all body types. If you feel good about your body, can walk confidently, and look reasonably good, chances are that you can find some opportunities in Fashion Modeling. For certain apparel and swimwear shows, a good well-proportioned body is more important than just height alone. Since, the shows can require hundreds of models per day (and there are just so many really tall good looking models around), you probably have a good chance of being selected as long as the overall body proportion is in line with what the manufacturer’s product line is. Then, of course, there are apparel and swimwear manufacturers who make clothes for petites and plus-sized customers as well.

4. INTERNET MODELING (web-sites, live webcam, etc.):

Internet modeling, whether it is for static content on web-sites or for live webcam or streaming video is a popular segment. Generally, you have to be over 18 years of age.

5. MODELING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, CONTENT CREATORS & STOCK PHOTO AGENCIES:

Photographers hire models all the time, either to build their own portfolios or to create content for Licensing to others and/or for Stock-Photo purposes. The PhotoShoot can be either a paid shoot (where the model gets paid either on an hourly basis or a flat fee) or TFP (trade Time for Prints), or TFCD (trade Time for CD-ROM images). In the TFP or TFCD arrangement no money changes hands. It is just a trade or swap. The photographer invests his/her time, expertise and equipment, and the model invests his/her time. Thus, they can create some content together that both parties can use to further their own professional goals, respectively. Stock Photo Agencies sometimes commission a photographer to take certain pictures that can then be sold or licensed to different companies for use in advertising and marketing materials.

As you can see, there are myriad opportunities in the modeling world. However, it is hard work. Like most other things in life, there is no guarantee of success. It depends on your looks, luck, demeanor, personality, hard work, perseverance, and a burning desire to succeed, among other things.

Vintage Posters as Valuable Investments

by: Viojieley Gurrobat

Advertising posters have first become popular in the 1800s. The method of printing known as stone lithography was first developed for posters in this period. This printing method was an exciting form of art that brought out colors for people to see. Today, posters are available in all forms and sizes and are used for many different reasons.

At present, vintage posters are adorning the walls where fine arts used to hang. These posters, who have its roots in the later part of the 19th century, have been one of the most effective forms of vintage graphic design. They have been used in a wide range of fields from fashion and entertainment to advertising. Some people buy posters with a specific color scheme or subject matter but others look for the works of a particular artist. The price of a particular vintage poster will most likely depend on its condition, artist, and the image itself. Nonetheless, the size of the poster does not always determine the value of the poster; hence, the better the condition of the poster the higher its price.

People usually buy vintage posters for a number of reasons. Some buy them to use as decorations in their living rooms and others, especially business owners, buy them to display in their lobby or in conference rooms and showrooms. This way they can create an atmosphere pleasing to their customers and employees. Restaurants and hotels also use them to improve the atmosphere in their businesses.

There are several online stores today that sell original vintage posters. By original it is meant that if a poster reads 1920 it must have been printed in 1920. For a buyer, it is difficult though to determine whether the posters are really authentic original posters. The only thing you can do to be certain that you are indeed getting original prints is to buy from reputable and knowledgeable dealers.

As the first modern advertising medium, posters that have survived the years have proven to be striking decorations or advertising tool that is aimed at delivering a punch to passers-by. Be wary though for forgeries. Remember that as opposed to lithographic prints, forgeries can be revealed through careful inspection.

Thus, is you seek authentic original vintage posters always deal with vendors that you are familiar with. Keep in mind that vintage posters could be a wise investment and good collector’s items, so make the right choices and deal with the right people.