Getting started in modeling is one thing, but you must known beforehand what sort of model you want to be and in what industry? Art? Fashion? or modelling for advertising related purposes - there are many different sectors and many different types. The most common being glamour, fashion, art, body parts and fitness. A common misconception is that all models are beautiful - this isn’t the case. Models are chosen not just because of beauty, but because of their uniqueness. Some situations may also require models of normal / ordinary people (normally for print / commercials etc) - so in effect, anyone can become a model.
With that said, when most of us think of models, we think of fashion models. These models are used 100% to promote apparel, clothing. The two main categories of fashion modeling are editorial and runway. Fashion models have a wide range of uses from ad campaigns, catwalk / runway modeling to print modeling to specific apparel modeling such as fitness, swimsuit or lingerie modeling.
I expect that most of you consider modeling to be an extremely glamorous and well paid - well, the reality is that it is. It’s a lot of hard work initially for no return and even when you get somewhat established, a recent study shown that the median wage was only $11.22 per hour in 2006 - You can get more at McDonalds - but admittedly, the clothing isn’t as nice!