Whether you’ve been ultra busy or wiling away the days until normality returns, this is a question most of us have recently asked. Lockdown was once a new concept, but regrettably it’s been “par for the course” for more months than we’d all care for. And the question will have been asked by marketing departments across the globe.

Marketing is still crucial during lockdowns, of course, with online shopping hitting a new high – not to mention the scores of social media campaigns. Still, the lack of smiling customers perusing the high street shops has hit businesses harder than they’d ever imagine. When lockdown ends (no.3, no.4…who’s keeping track?), brands must pull out all the stops once again to increase footfalls and profits. Maybe there’ll be an overwhelming rise in sales simply because people will be itching to shop till they drop. Maybe some shoppers will tread cautiously because of recent furloughs imposed upon them. Whatever happens, one thing is certain: brands will use coming out of lockdown as a marketing tool in its own right. And this should mean more opportunities for models. Models just like you!

We’ve previously mentioned that modelling is permitted during lockdowns – one of the many perks about the industry. Perhaps lockdowns have given models more time to prepare and improve their skills. Lockdowns may have been beneficial for some models to sharpen their organisational skills, or to improve their overall physique (although, as you all should know by now, immaculate bodies don’t have to be the most desirable qualities for models). Coming out of lockdown should give models fresh hope of a more certain future. Yes, we know models are generally an optimistic bunch, but COVID has taken a toll on most of us, so the end of lockdown will give models that extra surge of hope.

Brands have always known the importance of models, but there possibly won’t be a more crucial time for their marketing campaigns than immediately post lockdown. Never have they been in this position – they’re pretty much in the same boat as everyone else! Competition will be fierce, and at the forefront of their campaigns will be models to distinguish them from rivals. Expect modelling shoots to be at their premium over the next few weeks! Models in advertising campaigns have worked wonders for brands for decades, so it’ll be no surprise that companies will rely on them post lockdown to make their products appeal to their customers. Brands want normality to return just as much as consumers. And with this normality comes promotions, endorsements and commercials – meat and drink to gifted models!

Speaking of which, now is a great time to get yourself “model ready”. Modernise headshots, spruce up your wardrobe…simply be more hungry for modelling work. It’s great if you’ve used lockdowns to model; if you’ve been biding your time, the end of lockdown will be the perfect moment to announce yourself to the modelling world. Just ask the brands – they’ll be screaming out for you!  

You may well have been juggling looking after your family with work and home schooling over recent weeks – and on top of that you are probably missing seeing friends and family.

Well, as the weather improves and lockdown hopefully eases in careful stages, try to find a little time just for you and set yourself a few goals that might help you to feel better in the long-run.

Here are a few suggestions from the Models Direct team:

Try to find a little time for yourself

We know this is easier said than done and that at the moment you are limited to who you can leave the children with and what space you can claim for yourself within the home. But, if you have a partner, suggest you might have at least one evening a week, where they cook, put the children to bed and leave you to enjoy your evening as you choose. Read a book, talk to your friends on the phone or Zoom or pamper yourself with a long bath. Suggest that this might happen on the same day (or even days!) of the week. Then you will have something to look forward to.

Plan some exercise

Getting yourself moving with an exercise plan is never easy but it really does pay dividends! Once you are on your way with it you will start to feel so much better physically, mentally and emotionally. If you can leave the house, think about downloading a couch to 5K app. These are very gentle – they start with walking – and will help you to improve your fitness at a level that is manageable for you. If you find it hard to leave the house for any reason, consider doing Joe Wicks or looking for another high intensity interval training workout to do on YouTube every day or every other day at home. These are short yet will quickly help you to feel fit and healthy.

Enjoy the fresh air

As the weather improves, try to get out and about a bit more. Sit in the sunshine in your garden if you have one for 10 minutes with a cup of tea every so often and aim to go for at least one walk every day. While restrictions are still in place, why not arrange to walk with a friend at the same time on the same day every week? Regular arrangements are harder to talk yourself out of and you will benefit from the socialising as well as the fresh air and exercise.

Join a class of two

Look for some online classes that are local and that you might be able to continue with face-to-face once restrictions are lifted. Look for dance classes, for example, that are fun and will give you a good boost. Alternatively, find a cookery or craft course that will give you new skills and be something to look forward to every week.

Make some plans

We all know how hard it is to plan at the moment – and how let down we feel when the situation with the virus changes and we can’t see our plans through, but there’s no harm in mulling over a few ideas of what you’d like to do in the future. Look up theatre shows and other events you might like to go to later in the summer or the autumn if they are permitted. Consider investing in one or two tickets, if you are sure you will get your money back or the dates will be rearranged if they can’t go ahead. Make some plans for things you can do in the future, regardless of what happens with the pandemic. Think about redecorating a room in the house, creating a new seating area in the garden or planting out a few colourful pots that will cheer you up when they blossom in the summer.

Of course if you think now might be the right time to launch your modelling career or perhaps you’d like to venture into an exciting new challenge click here and you can speak to one of our agents today

Shoppers around the country are expected to descend on retail outlets like moths to a 100 W light bulb now they are re-opening. This will come as a relief to both the economy and customers. Shopping for “non-essential” items will become a luxury, with cosmetics and clothes high on the retail hit-list.   

In this blog Models Direct look at some shopping tips that could save you money, as well as relieving stress associated with battling with crowds of other bargain-grabbing customers and help you stay safe at the same time.

• When food shopping, follow the golden rule: don’t shop on an empty stomach! If you’re “just browsing” the confectionery, crisps and biscuits aisle in a supermarket, you might be shocked to discover how many packets you’ve unintentionally bought. This is because your brain links to hunger, creating an impulse to buy food – a lot of which will be luxury items or treats. Shop on a full stomach and you’ll buy only essential foods.   
• Keep your credit card at back of your wallet. This is a wonderful money-saving tip. Bring money that you’ll use only, so when you open your wallet you won’t see your credit card and be tempted to buy more items than you need. It’s too easy to buy surplus items and pay on credit, so putting your Visa card out of sight helps to stick to a shopping budget.   
• Don’t be tempted with “till buys”. Small items like confectionery , batteries and reduced booze are often located next to the tills. This is because customers often make impulse buys whilst waiting in the queue – mainly because they’re bored. Adding a couple of innocuous items to your shopping may not feel like a major shopping mistake, but it all adds up. Usually, you don’t even need these items, so don’t crave in to temptation!
• Use iPhone apps. Apps can be used to negotiate prices with the stores – not really suitable in supermarkets, but it’s quite effective in clothes and electronics stores  Sometimes, stores will match prices quoted on apps. A recent documentary about Amazon revealed some chains will agree without hesitation, whilst others will not. Large stores are all in competition with each other, so it’s worth asking. And even if your haggling gets you nowhere, you haven’t lost anything!
• Shop at convenient times, and choose them wisely. There have been several retail surveys suggesting that a lot of customers don’t plan when to shop, and invariably find themselves competing with others in a “bottle-neck” effect. For food shopping, try buying in bulk early on weekends, or before going to work (it’s one less thing to worry about after a stressful day in the office). For clothes and other items, have a go at breaking up a routine and shopping when you think other customers won’t be all doing the same – this is especially beneficial in the few weeks leading up to Christmas.
• Buy necessities in bulk to avoid frequent trips. Items like batteries, toothpaste and light bulbs shouldn’t be bought every other week. Instead, look out for sales and bulk offers, and stock up (think pre-lockdown behaviour…). The same applies for small clothing items like socks, tights and boxer shorts. 
• Stick to a budget and have weekly plans.
• Look out for scribbling or staff codes written in pen on price tags. Often, this means that the items will be reduced in the next few days, so hold off that purchase and in a few days the same item might be reduced. For example, depending on the company, a price tag with “30E” scribbled in red ink could mean it’ll be reduced by £30 in a few days. 
• If you’ve spotted something online, look out for a live chat window. Live chats are excellent opportunities to haggle directly with the company!
• When online, try adding an item to your virtual shopping basket…then leaving it there overnight. Some companies give you codes or discounts to tempt you back, fearing that they may have lost a customer forever. Try it!

Throughout the excitement of visiting your favourite stores remember the social distancing rules and be kind to others – make it as an enjoyable experience as possible.

Happy Shopping!