You’ve nailed the look. Stomped the walk.
Yet somehow, your inbox is ghost town territory when it comes to bookings. Why does it always feel like the jobs just pass you by?
Honestly, that’s the headache running through every would-be male model in the UK right now. I’ve felt it, too. Hustling around London, strutting into another casting, sixty lads, all looking like they just stepped out of Vogue or a Calvin Klein fever dream… and almost all of us getting the “we’ll let you know” brush-off.
Makes you wonder: What actually sets the chosen few apart?
No sugarcoating, just real talk from inside the casting grind. Stuff I wish someone had told me before I blew my first dozen shots.
1. Your Clothes Are Screaming Louder Than You
You walk in thinking you’re killing it, flashy logos, wild streetwear, all the trimmings. Problem is, if the brief was for a shiny-clean “everyman” and you show up like an ad for Off-White, you just made it way too easy for them to say nope.
The last thing you want is your outfit stealing your spotlight.
Real tip: Bare bones, mates. Neutrals, clean fit. Let your vibe, not your Versace, do the talking.
2. Overthinking It? They Literally See It
Swear down, if you’re in your head worrying about every step, it’s game over. The ones who book? Sometimes not even the best-looking bloke in the room. But they walk in like they’ve done it a hundred times, even if they’re quaking inside. Cool and unfazed.
You can’t fake that.
(Well… actually, you can. Pretend, till you believe it.)
Do yourself a favour: Practice till you don’t have to think. Then just live the moment.
3. Tattoos Talking? Maybe Dial It Back
Alright, big one. Got some ink? Same. Loads of blokes there did, some full-on sleeves, some with cute little symbols behind the ear. Unless you’re at, like, a biker campaign, most jobs still want that blank-canvas look. Don’t shoot the messenger.
Best move: Make sure your book’s got some clean shots (Photoshop’s your friend!) and be upfront about it. Be strategic, not apologetic.
4. Are You Actually Making Their Lives Easier?
Ever sat through 70 auditions? Casting folks get majorly fed up. By the end, they just want someone who fits the brief and doesn’t make stuff complicated.
Give ‘em exactly what’s asked:
Clean look. Quick intro. Boom, strong walk.
Don’t turn casting into a scavenger hunt.
Gut check: Did I make their job simpler… or just add to their headache?
5. Signing With an Agency? Chill, That’s Just Base Camp
Everyone and their dog thinks getting signed means you’ve “made it.”
News flash: Agencies don’t hand out jobs like pizza flyers.
The guys who get rebooked? They show up. Adapt to last-minute curveballs. Breeze through new looks. Still smile at the end of the day.
Like a casting director once said to me:
“Not what we pictured, but he listened. We made room.”
Talent’s nice.
Being chill and teachable? Better.
6. Rejection: Don’t Take It Like a Punch to the Gut
Alright, hear me: you’ll get turned down. A lot.
Maybe it’s your eye colour.
Maybe the stylist decides you’re just “too much rugby, not enough runner.”
Maybe the director just spilled coffee on his own jeans and hates everyone that day.
Doesn’t mean you suck.
Grit, not luck, wins this game.
Brush it off and roll on.
7. Actually Network. Don’t Just Stand There
Saw this legend at a casting, wasn’t even there to audition.
Just hanging out to hype a mate.
Chatted up the casting crew, handed out a card, left everyone smiling.
Next week? Booked. Just like that.
Not ‘cause he was best-looking but because people remembered him.
Sometimes, hallway chat wins over runway walk.
A Little Wisdom from Milkshake Management
Look, at Milkshake we don’t just sign faces, we train hustlers.
Some of ours have hardly any portfolio.
Some are tatted to bits.
Some switched from desk jobs ‘cause the office coffee stank.
What matters?
Curiosity.
Resilience.
And treating every “no” as free education, not a death sentence.
Left another audition feeling “meh”? Don’t crawl under a blanket.
Figure out what’s up. Tweak. Keep hustling.
The gigs really are out there, you’ve just gotta make them see you,
not just another mannequin in the room.
Oh, and if you’re desperate for more real talk and industry hacks, smash that sign-up for our Model Masterclass. We spill all the tea.