In the last of my money-making in the area installments this week…

Ever wonder about those people you see at the State Fair, handing out freebies for major brands such as Sensodyne or Jeep?

Or the people you see as you are leaving a Cowboys game, handing out energy drinks or hangover cures?

(I'm in the Cheese-o-saurus costume at the implosion of the old Cowboys Stadium. No, really, I am. I made $250 to spend 4 hours (30 mins in, 30 mins resting) in that costume. I can't make this stuff up...)

How about the girl you see at your favorite bar, dressed in a branded shirt, handing out free beers or shots?

I don’t wonder about those girls… Because I’ve been those girls.

For the past 16 years, I’ve been a brand ambassador. A promotional model. A marketing representative. A brand advocate. Whatever you want to call the position I’ve taken… Been there, done that.

Now, before you feel sorry for me, thinking how much it must suck to have to brave the drunks that leave local concert venues or the high-class individuals that frequent the state fair, stop. Don’t feel bad for me or wonder what I did to end up there.

Save for a few bad experiences throughout the years, I’ve enjoyed my years as a promo model. If you name a major brand- I’ve represented it or a major competitor. I’ve worked at all sorts of amazing events- celebrity signings, Taste of Dallas, the State Fair, countless concerts. I’ve worked at Walmart, I’ve worked in bars. I’ve worked at high-brow dinners and benefits and at various high school football games. I’ve driven branded vehicles around the country and have been flown to each coast multiple times for trainings and team bonding.

Meeting Death Cab for Cutie

It really hasn’t been bad at all!

In fact, I still work events when I have the chance. Two weeks ago I worked a fancy corporate lunch. I greeted clients as they arrived. I was comped free lunch and parking at made $150 for a few hours of “work.” In two weeks, I’m working a gluten-free fair in Dallas. I’m a regular at corporate trainings in north Fort Worth, where I help facilitate corporate team bonding. I’m consistently receiving emails to work at Rangers games or Cowboys games, to work at various concerts that pass through town.

How much is your time worth, you ask? Promo gigs typically start around $15 per hour and go up to about $30 per hour. You work as an independent contractor, meaning no taxes are withheld (you are responsible for those at tax time). You also don’t receive any benefits from the company you are contracting with- $15 an hour is just $15 an hour, free and clear. It also takes about six weeks to receive payment. This can be the downside of promo modeling… If you need cash by Friday, promo modeling is not the way to go about it.

Some of the perks, though, beyond a decent hourly pay, make it totally worth the gig. I’ve walked away from gigs with loads of freebies, ranging from boxes with 100s of bags of chips for my girls lunches to Visa gift cards worth $100s. Most often you are told specifically what to wear, so there is no stressing over an outfit. You usually get to keep the tshirt you are given. I’ve also been given free shoes to wear (and keep!) at the end of an event. I’ve gotten to see concerts I never would have seen, meet celebrities I never would have met and bond with people I have nothing in common with during my promo days. It’s really a fun lifestyle, if you can swing the inconsistencies.

I'm in the middle costume. No, really... Costume-character gigs are some of the highest paying. And the best part? You don't have to talk to anyone!

Like with any job, there are downsides. You may find the perfect gig for you- and you are one of 100s of applicants and you don’t get chosen. For every about 10 gigs I apply to, I get picked for 2 or 3. Work also tends to come in clusters… State Fair is a crazy-busy time of year with steady work for the duration. The holidays are typically an easy time to find work. But January and February are typically much slower, so you have to budget for the months when you are “off” involuntarily. You need to be an organized, self-managed worker. When I book a job, I clock my miles to and from, plus any parking or meals I pay for during working hours. Then I keep a spreadsheet of the date I worked and for what company, and email the booking agent so I’m clear on when I can expect payment, and I put that in my spreadsheet as well (I’ve had to chase down more than a check or two through the years- that part isn’t fun!). You also need to be outgoing- oftentimes you are asked to call out to or approach people at various venues in an attempt to get them to sample your product. Introverts need not apply.

If I haven’t scared you off, read on for a few of my favorite companies that staff locally. You can submit your info on their Websites to join their mailing lists. Then you can start applying to jobs that appeal to you as you please!

Ascent Talent- www.ascenttalent.com

Fusion Event Staffing- www.fusioneventstaffing.com

GMR Marketing- www.gmrmarketing.com

Big Orange Productions- www.bigorangeproductions.com

Attack Marketing- www.attackmarketing.com

Epsilon Marketing- www.epsilonlocal.com

Encore Nationwide- www.encorenationwide.com

A few things to remember: You will apply to many, but only get picked for a few, until you make a name for yourself. Once companies know you are reliable and hardworking, they will call you to work instead of you calling them. Once you are booked- do not cancel unless it’s an emergency. Cancel once and that company probably won’t call you back. Worse yet- don’t no-show. No-show and that company will not only never call you back, but they will share your name with all their agency friends and you’ll never book another promotional gig.

There are lots of FB support groups for promo models, should you find yourself loving the promo world.

 Lastly, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have! Though I’m hardly the expert these days, I have loads of friends in the industry I can point you toward! One friend just got back from the East Coast, where he was managing a tour for a major razor brand. Two friends have been members of the a high-end car team for several years- meaning they travel the country every weekend talking about Audi at car shows and tradeshows and for corporate clients. And lots of my friends are gearing up for a three-week go at the State Fair opening next month. It’s fun work if you can get it…