BUILDING A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE

At Sandra Reynolds, we know how fast the industry is evolving. Clients increasingly want to book people with authenticity, confidence, and influence. The most in-demand talent excel both on camera and in building a strong digital presence. Whether you’re a model, actor, or both, you have the power to shape how you’re seen and what opportunities come your way, that’s why we’re encouraging you to think of yourself not just as talent, but as a brand.  This guide - written by influencer marketing expert and SR client, Chrissy Mangan - is packed with practical advice to help you elevate your online presence, which, in turn, helps us connect you with the right brands.

OPTIMISE YOUR PROFILE

• Write a compelling bio that reflects your niche and personality.  

• Include keywords that help brands find you (e.g. “beauty”, “vintage fashion”, “body-positive”, “haircare”).  

• Include your agent’s email in your bio - this makes it much easier for brands to get in touch. @sandrareynoldsmodels or [email protected] 

CONTENT STRATEGY

Once you’ve decided what kind of creator you are (e.g. fashion, beauty, wellness), then build content around that niche.  

• Stay current by researching trending products and talking points - check TikTok, see what other creators in your space are doing, what are the brands you relate to posting, and major retailer sites.  

• Be genuine. Social audiences value honest reviews and opinions; they can spot inauthenticity a mile off. 

• Post consistently. As an influencer manager, there’s nothing worse than finding the perfect account that posts once a month!  

• Let your personality shine. Especially on TikTok where authenticity trumps perfection. 

• Think of your content as storytelling. Every post should have a clear beginning, middle, and end - keep people engaged, as if it were a mini-series.  

• Mix up content formats - videos, photos, stories. 

• Utilise voiceovers and text overlays to enhance the accessibility of your content for individuals with visual or hearing impairments. 

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY

• Reply to comments and messages. People follow you because they want to feel a sense of connection, and for brands your engagement metrics are a key indicator of your performance they can expect if they work with you. The higher they are, the better it is.

• Collaborate with other creators - either within your niche or in adjacent spaces, to reach new audiences.  

• Show appreciation to your followers: shoutouts, giveaways, meet-ups, or “Spend the Day with Me” content all go a long way.  

• If you make a mistake, own it. We’re all human. Address it openly - silence usually makes things worse. You won’t please everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. 

BRAND ALIGNMENT

• Only work with brands that align with your values, and you are genuinely excited about. Be selective. One misaligned partnership can damage trust with your audience.  

• Tag brands you already love and use; this can lead to organic partnerships. Brands track mentions, and this can lead to access to loyalty programmes, PR lists or inclusion into influencer campaigns.

GROWTH STRATEGIES

• Use relevant hashtags to increase your discoverability.

• Notice what’s working for others in your space and put your spin on it.  

• Cross-promote your content on other platforms - don’t rely on one channel. 

• Engage with trending topics if you feel informed and confident enough to contribute.

MEDIA KIT & PROFESSIONALISM

• Create a strong media kit that includes your stats, audience demographics, and past brand collaborations. Ensure it is up to date, as this will affect negotiations.

• Be professional always. You can still be you, but think of your content creation as a business and behave accordingly.

• Be clear with your agent on your rates, deliverables, and availability from the start.

• Meet deadlines and follow through on commitments every time. Reliability is one of the most valuable traits in this industry.  

• Communicate. If you’re unsure about a brief or product, speak up. If you're unsure about a brief, a timeline, or expectations, always ask. Brands and agencies would rather spend extra time on calls or emails than receive a piece of content you’re not proud of that doesn't hit the brief.  

• Where possible, provide a concept to the agency/brand to ensure you're on the right lines and everyone is aligned before you spend the time filming and editing your content. It saves the need for countless re-edits and ensures expectations are met. 

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH AN AGENCY

I get it, with a decent following and a few DMs, it’s tempting to go direct. But honestly? Working through an established agency like Sandra Reynolds is one of the best things you can do for your career. 

I’ve seen it time and again: the creators who are professionally represented don’t just get more work, they get better work, with brands that respect their time and talent. 

Positives of working with an agency include:

• Agencies handle the boring-but-crucial stuff - contracts, usage rights, fees - so you are always fairly compensated for your time and effort. They know your value and will work for you to best represent that. 

• The best briefs? 9 times out of 10, they’re not going to creators via DM's, they’re going straight to agencies like SR, who are experienced and trusted in the space to work with their talent to deliver on them. They've built long-standing relationships over the years giving them access to opportunities that are otherwise difficult to find.

• A great agent doesn’t just find you jobs; they help shape your career and position you for the right opportunities. 

• They do the admin, the chasing, and the negotiating so you can focus on doing the job. 

• When things get tricky (which they sometimes do), your agent is the one in your corner fighting your case. 

Brands want reliable, well-managed talent. And clients come back to agencies like Sandra Reynolds because they know what they’re getting - people who show up, deliver, and elevate the campaign. It’s also worth mentioning that SR have a Pay Next Day scheme, so you won't have to wait for the client to pay before you get your money – valuable in the world of freelancing, and unheard of in the world of content creators and influencers where payment delays are notorious.

You can and should absolutely build your personal brand - just don’t forget the power of having the right people behind you. 

CHRISSY'S FINAL THOUGHTS 

• Stay authentic and aligned with your personal brand.  

• Be patient - growth takes time and consistency.  

• Use your analytics to refine your content strategy.  

• Aim to build long-term relationships with brands, not just one-off deals. 

To hear more from Chrissy, give The Business of Modelling podcast, episode 04, a listen. 

If you are interested in utilising some of our influencers/content creators for an upcoming campaign, explore our wide range of talent here.

For further advice on building your profile or what to post, reach out to Sarah Gabillia at [email protected]. 

OTHER RELEVANT BLOGS

          The Benefits of Influencer Marketing