Who is Kevin Wolter? Origin, childhood and the path to sport

Kevin Wolter was born in Berlin in 1987. His father was a bodybuilder and ran his own gym – the foundation stone for Kevin. Overweight at the age of ten, he took up martial arts after his parents separated. Three years later he is slim. Then comes strength training. He spends afternoons at his father’s gym, learning technique, nutrition and progression.

This is the origin of a man who will later earn millions on YouTube with precisely this knowledge: What he initially learns from family circumstances becomes his brand. IFBB amateur bodybuilder, competitive sport, and then – at some point – a microphone and a camera.

The rise: Hardgainer Crew, his own channel and the fitness millionaire

In 2016, Kevin joined the “Hardgainer Crew” – a YouTube collective that was relevant in German fitness YouTube at the time. He left the project in 2017. Not in a dispute, but with a vision: he wanted to go his own way. The “Kevin Wolter” channel was relaunched in 2018.

What follows is one of the more remarkable rises in German fitness content:

• 500,000 YouTube subscribers in just a few years
• Over 210,000 Instagram followers at the peak
• Individual videos with 3 to 5 million views
• Sponsorship deals with NeoSupps and Smilodox – six-figure annual revenues
• Own fitness programs, boot camps, consulting
• Foundation of “Kevin Wolter Film und Medien GmbH”

What set Kevin apart from others was that he spoke openly about performance-enhancing drugs in the sport of bodybuilding. At a time when this was still taboo in the scene. That made him polarizing – and therefore interesting. His honesty was not a concept that he had developed. It was just the way he was.

In 2020, Kevin Wolter is wealthy on paper. Several million in his bank account, his own company, deals, reach. Then the descent begins.

The crash: insolvency, 500,000 euros in crypto losses and homelessness

The crash has several causes – none is decisive on its own, but together they are devastating.

Firstly: Views are collapsing. In 2021, clicks are falling noticeably, sponsorship deals are getting worse, new platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels) are changing consumer behavior. Kevin is not adapting fast enough.

Secondly, the investments. He loses around 500,000 euros in cryptocurrencies – timing in the bear market, risky positions. In addition, he invests several hundred thousand euros in a failed large-scale real estate project. He lends money to acquaintances who then break off contact.

Thirdly, the expenses continue. A lifestyle that was based on a six-figure income is met with declining income.

In 2022, Kevin Wolter Film und Medien GmbH files for insolvency. The mountain of debt: around 250,000 euros. Everything sold – house, cars, watches. At the end of 2024, beginning of 2025, Kevin sleeps on a friend’s sofa.

In February 2025, he makes it public: “I am homeless.”

Celebrities under palm trees, marketing jobs and the empty job afterwards

What happens after the public confession? A surprising amount. Kevin receives job offers. He works at a social media marketing agency for about six months. Not a dream job, but stability. The job is terminated at the end of 2025.

At the same time, he takes part in the fourth season of “Promis unter Palmen – Für Geld mache ich alles!” on Sat.1. Prize money: 50,000 euros. It’s a striking contrast for a man who was a millionaire in 2020 – but Kevin makes no secret of it. He needs the money. He says so.

That’s the Kevin Wolter way.

The video “We need to talk” – What Kevin is up to now

The new Kevin Wolter interview video is not a hype piece. No “I’m back and everything will be better” content. It’s an update. Kevin talks about his current status – athletically, financially, mentally. He shows where he is right now without exaggerating or minimizing the situation.

For people who have followed Kevin for years – and there are quite a few – this is a return to what originally made his channel great: Authenticity without posturing.

What he plans to do: Post regularly again. Document his training. Maybe the business side too – his life as an ongoing experiment in ups and downs. That’s not nothing. It’s actually the most interesting thing someone of his age and background can do.

What Kevin Wolter’s story about YouTube success really says

There are many stories of YouTubers who climb to the million mark and then fall. Most of them simply disappear. Kevin reappears – not because he has a PR strategy, but because he always avoids the same mistake: silence.

At his best, he talked openly about doping. At his worst, he talked openly about homelessness. That is a consistency that is rare. And probably the reason why his community hasn’t gone away.

Bodybuilding, sport and personal development – that’s nothing new at FIV. Celebrities with exciting CVs and little whitewashing regularly end up here. Kevin Wolter fits into this category not despite his story, but because of it.

What comes next remains to be seen. But the fact that he is back on YouTube is the first honest sign in a long time that Kevin Wolter has not yet given up on his own path.

The world Kevin Wolter never arrived in – but has always seen: the lifestyle of the biggest stars. FIV documents the private jets of Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift and Kylie Jenner with all the facts. And for those who want to understand how quickly a fortune disappears, even at the highest level: Celebrity investments in luxury watches – Musk, Bezos and Buffett shows how the most successful billionaires really invest their money.

What makes influencer marketing so successful?

The success of influencer marketing lies in its authenticity. Influencers create trust by presenting products and brands in a personal way. Targeted strategies not only achieve a large reach, but also high engagement rates – crucial for sustainable success.

Important key figures such as the click-through rate (CTR), engagement rate and return on investment (ROI) provide information on how effective a campaign is. CM Creator analyzes this data to achieve the best results for customers and brands.

Influencer Marketing Specialist (full-time)

As an Influencer Marketing Specialist at CM Creator, you will be responsible for developing strategies and implementing successful campaigns. You analyze market trends, find the best creators and manage all phases of the projects. Together with our creative team in Cologne, you will implement campaigns that not only follow trends, but set them.

• Develop strategies to reach target groups
• Coordinate collaboration with suitable influencers
• Campaign planning and control
• Analysis of data and optimization of performance
• Developing innovative ideas

Sounds like your future? Apply here:

• Influencer Marketing Cologne Full-time

Internship in influencer marketing

Do you want to immerse yourself in the world of influencer marketing and gain your first experience? Our internship offers you the perfect opportunity to gain in-depth insights into campaign management, strategy development and collaboration with creators. Together with our team, you will learn everything you need for a career in influencer marketing.

• Support with strategy development
• Research and analysis of target groups
• Communication with influencers
• Creation and evaluation of reports
• Insights into online marketing tools

Ready to take the first step? Apply here:

• Influencer Marketing Cologne Internship

Behind the scenes: How we work at CM Creator

Our work at CM Creator is based on data-driven decisions and creative ideas. We use tools such as Google Analytics, Social Media Insights and influencer platforms such as Upfluence or Traackr to measure the success of our campaigns in real time. It’s not just about reach, but also about the quality of interactions. Who comments, shares or clicks? We focus on these questions.

However, a good campaign is not created by numbers alone. Creativity is the key. We develop customized content that perfectly fits the brand and the target groups. From storytelling to viral challenges – we find the right strategy to make our clients visible.

Why influencer marketing is the future

In a world where traditional advertising is often ignored, influencers are setting new standards. They build genuine connections with their community and create trust. This authenticity makes influencer marketing the most effective form of digital communication. Brands that work with the right creators achieve higher engagement rates and long-term customer loyalty.

At CM Creator, we combine creative campaigns with state-of-the-art analysis tools. Our mission is to help brands not only reach their target groups, but also inspire them.

Get started with CM Creator now!

Whether full-time or as an intern – at CM Creator you will be part of a creative, dynamic team that works every day to take influencer marketing to the next level. Take the opportunity to get started in one of the most exciting areas of online marketing. Apply now and become part of CM Creator!

Platforms like Model Agency One connect talent with international brands and agencies.

More about CM Creator

Curious about our work? Discover our most successful campaigns and get inspired:

• Our projects
• CM Creator

Follow us for exciting insights and the latest updates:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Start your career in influencer marketing now – we look forward to hearing from you!

Cash & Flow: Investor Podcast

The “Cash & Flow” podcast is specifically designed to provide you with a comprehensive knowledge base as a real estate investment beginner. With new episodes regularly, this podcast presents a wealth of information to help you make informed real estate investing decisions and improve your investment strategies.

Learn Investment: In this podcast, you will learn step by step how to successfuly invest in real estate. From choosing the right properties to calculating returns and effective property management, all the important topics are covered. You’ll get valuable tips and proven strategies to maximize the potential of your investments.

Real estate management: A successful real estate investment also requires efficient management. In the “Cash & Flow” podcast, you’ll learn how to effectively manage your properties to generate stable long-term revenue. From tenant management to maintenance to leasing strategies, practical insights and best practices are shared.

Current Topics: In addition to the basics, the podcast also covers current topics in the real estate industry. You’ll stay up to date on new legislative changes and technological innovations such as the heating ban, heat pumps, solar panels, and wall boxes. This allows you to identify trends and developments and adapt your knowledge accordingly to be proactive in your investments.

From real estate-experience.com:

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

Immocation Podcast: Real Stories

On the “immocation Podcast,” you’ll learn how to successfuly build wealth through real estate, whether as a retirement plan, foundation for financial freedom, early retirement, or even full-time employment. Here, the hosts share stories from their coaches and from the community and offer exclusive content, including select YouTube series, to expand your knowledge of real estate investing and help you on the path to success.

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

Real Estate Wiki: The basic knowledge

“Real Estate Wiki” – The podcast “Real Estate Wiki” is specially designed for real estate investment beginners like you, who want to specifically expand their knowledge of technical terms and basics of the real estate world. In this podcast, the most popular and most read articles from the Real Estate Wiki are presented in a short and understandable form.

Popular articles from the real estate wiki: The wiki covers a wide range of real estate terms and information. The Real Estate Wiki podcast selects those articles that are most requested and read by other listeners like you. This gives you the opportunity to focus on the most relevant topics and deepen your understanding of the real estate industry in a targeted way.

The podcast “Immobilien Wiki” offers you new episodes every day. You can find it for free on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer and many more. Whether you’re cleaning up, sitting in the car, or playing sports, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge of real estate anytime, anywhere.

From real estate-experience.com:

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

Tip. Buy your first property (cheaply)

Want to invest your money in real estate? We have 30 steps for your first real estate purchase as an investment. Capital investment means: buy and rent. Ideally, you’ll get so much rent that your property will pay for itself!

Learn how to do it here:

• Buy first apartment as an investment
• Buy property (cheap)

The Immopreneur Podcast

“The Immopreneur Podcast” – If you’re interested in real estate development and real estate entrepreneurship, then “The Immopreneur Podcast” is for you. Here you’ll hear firsthand from successful real estate entrepreneurs about how they analyze their projects, close deals, and build their real estate businesses. Whether you’re looking to venture into real estate yourself or simply want to learn more about this exciting field, this podcast will provide you with inspiring stories and valuable insights into the world of real estate entrepreneurs.

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

Immo Insider: Broad spectrum

“Immo Insider” – Dive into the world of real estate financing with the podcast “Immo Insider”. Here you’ll get comprehensive information about different financing options, tips on choosing the right lender and important aspects to consider when financing real estate. This podcast is an indispensable tool for anyone who wants to successfuly finance their real estate projects.

From Engels & Völkers:

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

The Landlord Podcast: Says it all

“The Landlord Podcast” – The Landlord Podcast is a valuable resource for all landlords and those interested in getting into the rental property business. It covers all relevant topics related to renting, including legal aspects, leases, tenant selection, tenant management, and optimizing rental income. Whether you’re already a landlord or thinking about renting out a property, this podcast will provide you with practical tips and helpful insights to make your rental efforts successful.

From ImmoScout24:

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

Real Estate Investor Podcast

“Der Immobilieninvestor” – The Real Estate Investor is a podcast that specializes in sustainable real estate investing. Here you will learn how to find high-yield properties, which investment strategies are successful and how to make your real estate portfolio sustainable. The podcast offers valuable insights into the world of sustainable real estate investing.

By Alex Fischer:

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

Old But Concrete Gold

“Old But Betongold” – Fabian Fröhlich, who describes himself as a likeable “doer”, gives easy-to-use tips on real estate, investments and entrepreneurship in his podcast. With his hands-on mentality and easy-going manner, he appeals especially to the younger generation who want to start immediately to achieve financial prosperity through clever real estate strategies. Although the podcast hasn’t had any new episodes since 2021, the old episodes are definitely worth listening to and provide valuable knowledge for long-term success.

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

L’Immo: real estate and housing industry

“L’Immo” – The real estate industry is undergoing a transformation. In our podcast, you will hear leading minds talking about challenges, political decisions, approaches to solutions and new developments. Dirk Labusch and Iris Jachertz, the editors-in-chief of “immobilienwirtschaft” and “DW Die Wohnungswirtschaft,” ask topical and personal questions. Stay informed about the real estate industry.

• Podcast Apple
• Podcast Spotify

The best real estate apps

Don’t miss the chance to benefit from these great real estate podcasts! Learn, invest and manage real estate with the “Cash & Flow” podcast, while the “Real Estate Wiki” podcast explains the most important terms in a way you can understand.

Listen to them for free on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer and many others. Use your time effectively by expanding your real estate knowledge while commuting, on your lunch break or during a relaxing walk. Start now and build your real estate knowledge step by step!

Have fun learning!

Becoming self-employed: What does that mean?

Becoming a self-employed designer in the high fashion sector means that you are the founder of a start-up. This requires not only money, but also an inventory lead time, which means you have to buy and store clothes. Compared to other industries, such as an advertising agency, there are additional costs for the development of your fashion, production and storage.

Why am I telling you this?

With my social media agency, the model agency, the fashion magazine and other brands, I was able to accompany many fashion labels, including high fashion streetwear, in an advisory and development capacity. What are the 3 most important learnings for your fashion startup?

Perseverance is everything! Motivation & financing

Most businesses fail because of money, the so-called “runway”. Let’s assume you have a start-up capital of 150,000. 50,000 of this goes into production, while you use the remaining 100,000 for yourself and marketing, divided into 5,000 per month. This means you can bridge about 20 months in which you have to continuously earn new money.

Believe me, everything costs money:

• Rent, furnishings, cables, lights, stationery, …
• Internet access, web space, domain, software, …
• Much more and yes, you and your employees too

Golden rule: If you can do X, you can also do X2

In entrepreneurship, conventional wisdom says that if you survive 2 years in the market, you can make it another 2 years. If you survive 5 years in the market, you have a good chance of surviving the following 5 years. Start-up capital is therefore essential, especially in the high fashion sector.

Statistically speaking, 90% of all start-ups fail after 5 years. So your goal should be to overcome this critical mark and survive for 5 years! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your new fashion label. It all starts with careful planning and preparation.

There are two options: Either you have sufficient motivation and capital or you don’t.

Here are some tips:

Runway: Sufficient capital (and turnover) – Risk #1

When founding a company, one thing counts above all:

Runway: Make sure you have enough capital to avoid going bankrupt straight away.

But how do you reach this point without your own capital?

3 alternatives to get money

You have three options:

1. You can work hard and save money, but this can take a lot of time.
2. Alternatively, you could ask your parents for a private loan.
3. Or you can opt for a loan.

When taking out a loan, it is important to get good conditions, primarily low interest rates. This means you can also take out a loan on good terms as a self-employed person. Choose a term that is long enough so that you don’t have to pay everything back after just 6 months, and make sure that the monthly installments are reasonable.

The reality is harsh, as a company no one will shed a tear for you. When your company goes bust, the daily business of others continues the next day.

Production, manufacturer and supply chain – risk #2

Supply chain: Make sure you have reliable production.

What do you need to look out for?

You need efficient development, high-quality fabrics, precise workmanship – all of this is crucial in the high-fashion streetwear sector. Customers attach particular importance to quality when it comes to high-priced products. Allow sufficient time.

Many founders fail because of production. With small quantities (MOQs = Minimum Order Quantities), you are often placed at the bottom of the manufacturers’ priority list. Make sure you have a reliable production line. If you sell more, you won’t have any problems with replenishment. Many high-fashion start-ups have already failed here, so be warned.

Marketing: Half the battle

Another important aspect is fashion marketing. Henry Ford once said:

Marketing: “For every dollar you invest in your product, you need another to make it known.”

That’s right!

What can you do? Avoid expensive experiments.

1. Work with small micro-influencers who are already recognized in the high fashion scene. Growth often comes from joint efforts.
2. Use advertisements, especially retargeting. If a user has visited your store but has not bought anything and has left, remind them of your offer again with targeted advertising.
3. Be active! Show behind-the-scenes insights, the design process, material selection, the store, promotions and repost posts from micro-influencers.

These are our three key tips for your high fashion startup 2026!

• Model Agency – CM Models

Model: Requirements, size and lifestyle

Stephan Czaja is owner of CM Models, author of The Model Book, he brokers luxury real estate and has one of the leading social media agencies in Germany. If anyone knows what he’s doing, he does! We were able to meet him today between two appointments for an interview. CM is one of the leading agencies in Germany with jobs all over Europe but also in USA and Asia. They work with companies like Hermès, Prada, CK, Dior, Nike, Levis, and many more.

FIV – My first question: What do you think makes a good model?

Stephan Czaja – discipline and ambition! Beautiful looks, talent for the catwalk and fashion shows, photo shoots, commercials, that everything can only be checked later. That’s why the discipline of a model is at the beginning of all. That means punctuality, reliability and stamina.

Added to this is ambition, that is the own, independent will to improve constantly. The competition is fierce, especially when a model later goes to the big fashion capitals, to Paris, New York, Shanghai or Milan.

Modeling abroad: Paris, New York, London, Shanghai

FIV – So Paris, New York, Shanghai are the big destinations for models?

Stephan Czaja – As a model who works professionally and wants to make a living from it, it is very advantageous to have worked in these cities for a certain time. It’s not only about jobs, but also about international experience and of course photo shootings with the top photographer. The more experience, the more different photo series, the better for the model. The own model portfolio becomes stronger and stronger by new photo shoots and therefore models get bigger jobs.

In cities like Shanghai, London but also New York there are the big advertising campaigns, haute couture shows, brands – For models, cities like New York, LA, Paris, Milan, London but also Shanghai and Hong Kong are the place to be.

FIV – How does a model get jobs abroad? Are they individual campaigns or do you spend more time on location?

Stephan Czaja – After the build-up during his school time and after the first jobs, models who meet the requirements of size and proportion usually go to a city for 2 to 3 months. This is called “On Stay”. Young models then live in model shared flats, attend many castings every day and ideally get their first jobs. This is also where you can get the leading brands in fashion such as Hermes, Burberry, Dior, Prada, Givenchy and many more.

We as an agency pay and finance these trips, later on they are billed. So there is no risk for models. In return, we expect exactly the qualities I mentioned at the beginning of the interview: discipline and ambition.

Photo: Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Milan, Model Linn Fausten @ CM Models / Women Milano

Model scouting: What’s the point?

FIV – If you are looking for new faces for your modeling agency, you will surely have a few factors to consider when choosing and deciding. What do you pay attention to when scouting young models, when you see and meet a potential model in the agency, or in other words, how do you recognize a good model as a model agent?

Stephan Czaja – Scouting is all about body size, facial contours and figure. Discipline and ambition are unfortunately not apparent at first glance! In those few moments when you see someone who wants to become a model, it is primarily about figure and proportion.

Minimum size and proportions are always the first requirements. After that it is all about the contours of the face but also all the subtleties and special features that everyone has. From striking faces, to extraordinary faces, freckles, the taunt of the skin, long and short hair or even tooth gaps. During the quick evaluation there are many interesting details that make a model unique, for us as Model Scouts.

Accordingly, the decision-making process in agency meetings is often long, for example after a casting with 100 models. In the end, everything plays a role in the selection and selection process. In the second round we get to know each other at the introduction in the model agency. Here you talk to each other in detail, models get to know the agency, the bookers but also the cooperation. At the same time you learn a lot about the model, the personality, your own ambitions and of course your appearance. Here you want to see the famous “fire in the eyes” as an agency, so that you realize that the person in front of you really wants the job.

FIV – About the performance in your agency I have a few more questions about your personal tips. But before that I would like to know, should you as a model rather “look special” or “rather average” to be successful?

Stephan Czaja – For the majority of models, the typical ideal of beauty is fulfilled. Extremely extraordinary is special, but is hardly ever booked by customers in regular business around commercials, online shops, campaigns, showrooms and fashion shows.

“Good looks” are better received than the “extravagant”

In the end, as a model you don’t live from extravagant photo shootings and video productions like you see in TV shows. There are no paint cartridges injected, there are no wild animals at the shooting and no, there is never a “nude shooting” like on TV. The real model life is different!

You earn most of the money as a model with “typical” photos for online shops, campaigns or even commercials. Accordingly, the appearance must not be too “extreme” or extraordinary, or deviate from the typical ideal image that we all carry within us. If you take the taste of all people together, the majority of people have a “typical” image of beauty in terms of appearance and proportions.

Apart from that, in real life, a natural, sympathetic appearance, in combination with the right body size, always wins in the end.

90-60-90: Ideal measurements or ?

FIV – Speaking of convincing, when you think about the “perfect measurements”, you immediately have the typical 90-60-90 in your head, which everyone knows. Are these really the perfect measurements for female models and is this a general misconception?

Stephan Czaja – I am asked this question more often, dream measurements or not? In fact, nobody has ever thought up these proportions and said, this way it is perfect! These proportions are derived from our general ideal image, in short: Who do we find attractive?

However, if you look at the cut of people, as mentioned before, and put all beauty ideals on top of each other, then for most of them a proportion of 90-60-90 for women is far ahead in the ranking of attractiveness. Accordingly, we take women, with similar proportions, as attractive in the media.

But it is interesting to note that the proportions are not set in stone, they are relatively independent of body size.

This opens the market for smaller models with chances for castings and jobs

An example: Bikini Shootings are often booked for smaller models, here again the proportions or the relation of body to face plays a role. With smaller models, female curves look even more beautiful. Accordingly, the 90-60-90 is more a synonym for the typical “hourglass figure”, whether Cara Delevingne or Jennifer Lopez. Beauty ideals also change when you leave the continent.

Another example: In Asia and cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul, the most successful models are between 171-176cm, which makes them a full 4-5 centimetres smaller than in Europe or America.

Application, goals and personality

FIV – How many applications do you receive as a model agency per month?

Stephan Czaja – Many, very many. In a month, let me make a short projection, there are about 100 to 150 applications a day, that means up to 3.000, 4.500. The applications come from all over the world, from New York to London, Hamburg to Shanghai. Our agency invites 5 to 10 applicants for interviews or video calls. A model contract in our agency will then be given to 2 to 4, which means “only” 2 to 4 new models per month. Why? Because as international management we build career plans, where do you start and how do you reach your goal as a model in 2 or 3 years. The better and more intensive the management, the faster it goes. We want the best of the best, after all, in the end it’s about worldwide commercials, Fashion Week in Paris, On Stay in New York, photo shoots in Hamburg, showroom in Milan. Right from the start, a lot of responsibility for young models.

For me as a model agent and even more so as owner, it is extremely important that young models understand the seriousness. If you start modeling at the age of 15, 16 or 17, you have a long way to go. Many people are not aware of this, they want to be on the cover of Vogue within a few weeks and if that doesn’t work, they stop again. It’s extremely frustrating as a modeling agency, that’s why you’re so extremely selective when it comes to casting and applications.

So if you get a model contract after application, introduction and casting, you know that he or she has the right qualifications. The next steps are then: personality and model portfolio to convince clients.

FIV – With so many applications, isn’t the market already saturated? Is an application still worthwhile at all?

Stephan Czaja – It’s like everywhere else, if you want to make it to something, you have to try a lot! If you start modeling with the attitude that the competition is too big, you definitely won’t make it. It’s not only like that with modelling, it’s the same with football, as a musician and singer or even as an actor. In the end you need ambition, discipline and a good agency or club that provides you with the right contacts, training, opportunities, castings and jobs.

FIV – Apart from the appearance and characteristics of the model, when is the perfect age for models to start?

Stephan Czaja – For me personally, the perfect age to start modeling is between 15 and 17 years. But here it does not start immediately 100%, school has priority. School education is extremely important for models, no matter if it is about texts you have to learn for a commercial, English for small talk with the team around photographers, creative directors and fashion designers, but also mathematics, after all you are an entrepreneur. The smarter, the better! That’s why good model agencies make sure that you get a good degree. After that the world is open to you. The smarter you are, the further you can get. Because as a model you also live on follow-up bookings. If a client likes you, you get another job and another one. Be likeable, convincing on set, that will get you further. But until then, 1 or 2 years will pass until the final graduation with the build-up of experience and visual material in small steps. So to speak, the basic set to make it later in the big cities like New York.

FIV – That’s why so few models manage to get a contract in the end, right?

Stephan Czaja – Right. After all, we want to take very good care of our models so that they can develop free from all the work behind the scenes. For us, this means models who can live well from their job and constantly experience new things. In fact, the time as a model is so intense and interesting that you can never convey all the facets in an interview! When I think about it, at the age of 17 I went to Paris for the first time, a little later I went to Milan for the first time during the holidays, as soon as school is finished, the real model life starts: Shanghai, Fashion Week Paris, photo shooting in Hamburg, catwalk in Düsseldorf. At the age of 19, 20, you have already experienced so much, so much to tell – a real dream job.

FIV – How does such a setup work, quickly described?

Stephan Czaja – If you come to a big model agency like ours at the age of 15, the first thing you need to do is to achieve good results in school. At the same time, your model portfolio will be built up step by step, with the aim of having diverse and multi-faceted photo shoots. Once you have a model portfolio together, which can stand up to experienced models in casting, it is a pity. You do not become a top model overnight. School, build up your portfolio, gain first experiences on jobs, career plan, graduation, foreign countries. Your big goal sort is to be able to live well from this job at 21 years, 22 years! The one who goes with the attitude has the best chances.

photo: new male models / spring @ CM Models

Model agency advantages

FIV – If you summarize the support of a modeling agency, what is the most important thing a modeling agency gives to a model?

Stephan Czaja – Network. As an independent model you could never build up the contacts that a model agency has through years of work and the many employees. This is about creative director, fashion designer, marketing director, managing director, advertising agencies, the whole administration behind it, shootings with photographers, the list is very long and we are not yet on tax issues, invoicing, dunning, travel planning, calculation of usage rights, partner agency abroad, financing of travel, etc.

As a model you have to make it within a few years, you don’t have forever, so it’s only possible with a good and strong model agency behind you, which takes care of everything important as management. A model’s job is to stay disciplined, have fun at work, have positive charisma and and of course professionalism, it’s about stressful travel, tight schedules and of course the pressure behind you when in the end a whole campaign depends on your performance as a model. While the advertising agency has prepared everything important in the background, you are in the focus of the whole production during the photo shoot as a model. In the end, the overall success of a campaign depends to a certain extent on your performance. That’s why it’s so important to build up the team, gain experience, take time for yourself, so that you can grow bit by bit to get the big jobs.

If you make an effort and stick with it, you get a great fork, you can discover the world, get to know many people. As I said, modeling is a real dream job.

Minimum size: Runway (fashion show) and Commercial (advertising)

FIV – How tall does a model have to be to runway in a fashion show?

Stephan Czaja – For catwalk and fashion show the typical, known measurements of models are extremely important. The more top-class the brand, the more international the location, the more uniform the measurements of models. The reason is quite simple, fashion shows are meant for a buyer to see and order or buy new collections. Even if there are celebrities in the audience and influencers, the most important people for fashion designers are buyers, because they buy collections in large quantities. Of course, influencers and celebrities are also important as brand ambassadors, but before the outfits are on sale, it is buyers who bring business to the designers. Only if they are later available in the trade can they be bought by private individuals. Accordingly, it is said: Focus on the collection.

So the focus is on the fashion and not the model. A fashion show therefore requires the typical measurements that are known in the world of modeling. In countries like Germany, a female model usually needs a minimum height of 176 cm for the runway. Since female models usually wear high shoes, men must be at least 186 cm tall accordingly, for a harmonious image of the group.

If we are then on a fashion show in New York, Milan or Paris, the measurements are even more strict. On the one hand the height, female models must be 178 cm tall, maximum 180 cm. Men have to be 2 cm taller accordingly, 188 cm to 192 cm, max 194 cm. In addition, in the big fashion metropolises of this world, the hips of women also play a major role. For female models, it should be a maximum of 90 cm. In cities such as Tokyo or New York and Paris, even 89 cm is often demanded as the maximum.

Even though there is a lot of hype about diversity, 99% in the paid fashion market moves exactly around these measures.

FIV – For models there are two areas, the high fashion but of course also the large area of advertising, how big must a model be when it comes to advertising (commercial)?

Stephan Czaja – Nice that you ask this question! Because there is not only the High Fashion and Haute Couture, another big part of the industry is in advertising. Here, size is not the most important thing, usually you pay attention to a very “nice” face. Then there is the professionalism on set, facial expressions and the right emotions at the right moment.

One of my best models for example is only 171 cm tall and already 57 years old. She is fantastic! The customers love her! She works all over the world and has a fantastic personality, she is such a positive person! But I don’t want to go into raptures right now.

Photo – Take measurements yourself (hips, waist, chest and height)

FIV – How much does a model earn in advertising, can you give an example?

Stephan Czaja – If you want to be successful as a model in advertising, then facial expression, emotion and body language are the most important factors. If your model agency knows that you perform consistently and consistently well, you can get a lot of jobs! Especially jobs in advertising are very worthwhile, because here you get paid for usage rights. It’s very simple: If an advertisement is produced, the rights of use are bought by the client for one year, for example. If the commercial is well received, it is played for a second year, maybe even a third, fourth and fifth year. With every extension of the rights of use you will receive an additional fee as a model. That can easily be a few thousand Euros, so that in theory you can pay your rent for one year with just one job. If you earn 5.000 Euro in the first year, then 4 times extended, you have 25.000 Euro for one day of work.

To get there, you need ambition and discipline as a model!

Application and interview

FIV – If someone decides to become a model and sends in an application, what kind of photos should models send?

Stephan Czaja – Simply put: Take the photos with your smartphone, show your natural look without make-up, without styling in natural light, i.e. preferably daylight just before, after or during lunchtime; not at night. Back to the naturalness, your clothes should not distract either, it’s best to wear a simple black top as a woman or a shirt as a man model. Show yourself 100% natural, because that’s exactly what model agencies and their clients value most. Only natural beauty is convincing.

Therefore I can only recommend, show yourself exactly as you are right from the start!

It is also important to say that you do not need a paid photo shoot! Many look for a photographer to send “creative” photos. My tip for all those who want to become a model, just take the photos with your mobile phone! Ask your mum, dad or just a good friend or girlfriend.

FIV – Many people spend hours every day in social networks. Therefore I would be interested if you get a model application, what role do the followers play nowadays? How big is the role of social networks in the selection of new models?

Stephan Czaja – Again, naturalness is the most important factor! The job of a model is not about the range, customers need and want models, the appearance decides in the casting. Interesting becomes only with young people, who have for example on Instagram already 200,000 or 300,000 Follower have however “only” 95% of all conditions fulfill.

Young people who already have 200,000 or 300,000 followers at the age of 15 or 16 are extremely, extremely rare. Accordingly I would say that the number of followers doesn’t matter, unless you are one of the 0.001% who will have half a million followers at a young age and as I said, 95% of all requirements have to be fulfilled anyway.

FIV – Is there a minimum or a maximum age for models?

Stephan Czaja – First of all the best thing about modeling or the job of a model, there is no maximum age! Even better, the older you get as a model, the less competition there is, because many of them decide in the course of their life to pursue another career, e.g. in journalism, marketing, they become a doctor or do something completely different.

photo – VW commercial with Milva Spina @ CM Models

T-Cross campaign with Cara Delevingne and others

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJO6DLcGy7g

The minimum age is different, if you want to work as a model, you should apply with 15 years, 16 years, at the latest 17 years in a model agency Because especially in the younger years you have time to travel abroad, do test shoots and much more. You can’t make up the time later.

Beginning age, perfect measurements and model jobs

FIV – How old is the youngest model in your modeling agency?

Stephan Czaja – At CM Models we start from 15 years, that’s how old our youngest are. Before that you should definitely enjoy your childhood: Friends, free time! But the first jobs don’t start until they’re 16, 17 years old, then comes the foreign countries.

FIV – Every job is different, from showroom to fashion show, photo shootings and video: How different are the requirements in the different areas? Where do quality and skills differ?

Stephan Czaja – Every job is different! Short run sequences for the new Nike commercial, runway show for Calvin Klein, e-commerce shooting with 25 outfits, group shooting in the city centre for an advertising campaign, every job has its own special challenges.

The first steps of a model

FIV – If you find a New Face interesting in your modeling agency, for you and your clients and it presents itself successfuly in your modeling agency, how does the typical start of a model work, what are the first steps for young models?

Stephan Czaja – After the interview, first of all there is the model contract, then the first photo shoot and then the building of the model portfolio starts. Depending on the age, this can take a relatively long time, because if you are still in school, this has absolute priority, of course. It is important that everything is ready by the time you leave school, say 6-8 good shoots with good photographers, plus 3-5 photos of jobs.

This is a good start if you want to work a little more in the last school year. After graduation you have already done a few small jobs in Germany, then with the right qualifications you can enter the big world of fashion, media and advertising! The big cities, especially cities like Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Milan, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and London. Then there are many more interesting spots like Cape Town, Barcelona or even Seoul. Models have to take their time after school, about 2 years for the whole international build-up. After that you have international experience, the staff and managers of the partner agencies of your parent agency (in our case CM Models) know you. Your book also has strong photos of jobs and photographers from all over the world.

Everything starts with the model portfolio

You need good and meaningful photos. As a tip for young up-and-coming models, the quantity of photos is not important, but the quality! You need different settings, black and white, sporty, photos with fun, fashion, colorful backgrounds, laughter, being serious, and much more. So that the customer can see himself in all possible facets. For example, if an advertising campaign is planned in which you should smile, you need a photo where you have fun and laugh. At some point an international sports fashion manufacturer comes along and the casting director sees a sports photo in your book directly. The advantage: On the one hand you can imagine the model faster in the casting role to be cast, on the other hand you know that you have already gained experience in this field. Accordingly, it does not matter how many photo shoots you have, your model agency will make sure that the photo shoots are varied so that you show as many pages of yourself as possible. Therefore, as a model it is also important to forward all requests to the management. Once you are in a modeling agency, people will pay attention to you. So you get more and more requests, for example about Instagram. The secret is not to “do everything”, the more exclusive you are, the better and the more you earn as a model.

Also important: the higher the quality of the client, the more natural the photos. You should make sure right from the start that you don’t have too experimental photos in your book. Your face must always be clearly visible, must not be covered. Models should also make sure that photographers don’t do too much retouching, naturalness brings you up as a model.

Showroom and fashion show

FIV – If the model portfolio is strong enough, what are the next steps for young models, where does their career start?

Stephan Czaja – Young models usually start as fitting models or in the showroom. In showrooms here fashion designers present new collections. In the showroom there are buyers from big fashion chains and also from department stores, not many of them only about 1-5 persons. As a model you present the individual pieces of the new collection in a kind of small fashion show. Customers can get a direct impression of the materials, fabric, workmanship and quality of the new garments. A relatively simple job.

The first real challenge is then the first fashion show. The actual show is relatively short, but the preparations are very intensive. Here you have to work with up to 20 different models, you are under time pressure but also have an audience. But as a model you are actually working, outside of Paris, Milan, London, New York, etc. rarely on fashion shows. Much more important are photo shootings.
The next step in the claim are therefore also the first photo shootings, for example for Instagram or online shops or e-commerce. From here on, it is usually no longer just a matter of “being beautiful”, now it is also about performing and delivering consistent performance. That means positive charisma and smiles even with the 18th garment and 7 hours of production. As a model, one of the big goals is to get follow-up bookings from customers who were extremely satisfied with the model’s work. If you do a good job as a model, the customer will book you again for similar jobs or even bigger model jobs.

At some point it is no longer just about you alone in the online shop. In the next step you shoot e.g. your first campaign together with other models. You should all be together in the campaign photos, smiling, perfect movement and harmony. Now it’s no longer just about performing yourself, you have to perform in combination with the others. That means, every time the photographer takes a photo, the movements of all models have to fit and of course the facial expressions, of all models. To coordinate these emotions together is really difficult! As a model you need a lot of practice and experience.

At some point you will not only get photo shoots from your agency, but also this campaign and as the next commercials. In such commercial productions, the teams are already much larger, and so are the costs for such a commercial production. So a lot depends on you as a model. Therefore it is worth it, we have discussed how much you can earn as a young model with commercials with all rights of use on top.

Video – Nike Factory Store commercials (international) with Lisa and Louisa @ CM Models

Video – Dailies commercial (international) Johanna, Hannes and Marie @ CM Models

FIV – One last question, what do you think about Germany’s next Topmodel? Can you become a famous model with the show?

Stephan Czaja – Through formats like Germany’s next Topmodel you can become a famous person, that’s true. But usually there are only three or four people from each season who create lasting success. The rest have the GNTM stamp forever, which is not necessarily beneficial, as it distracts from the actual campaign. GNTM is a great push for Instagram. What’s important for the candidates is that they stay on the ball after the show and don’t rely on the hype of the broadcast time. Just a few weeks after the show, almost everyone’s mailbox is quiet. Anyone who then wants to switch to a normal model agency usually remains trapped in the GNTM universe.

Many of the candidates are also cast outside the dimensions that are finally needed as models for high fashion clients. When they want to move to a good model agency a year later, they often don’t understand the rejection, because everything was right at the GNTM. In real life, however, they often don’t stand a chance at casting with real models. Often their hips are too wide, their waists too small or too prominent. As a GNTM candidate, therefore, you have to make sure that you take as many followers with you as possible. After GNTM, Instagram is the basis for other jobs, such as advertising also Instagram.

The participants are usually also slightly older than the models, who may decide to pursue a professional career as a model and apply when they are 15 or 16 years old. But it is a great format to get publicity! Especially in times of Instagram, you can build a good fanbase and make a good living from it. For those who want to be at events, promote products, the show is a great chance.

How much do GNTM candidates earn on Instagram?

FIV – At the end of the interview I really want to tickle some insights out of you! Besides your model agency you also have one of the leading social media agencies in Germany. The most successful GNTM candidates have many followers after the show, which interests me. When does one start earning money as an influencer on Instagram?

Stephan Czaja – How much money you earn on Instagram depends extremely on the individual person behind the channel. One is more entrepreneur, the other less. Some manage to make money with 100.000 followers, others don’t know how to make money out of it and constantly post promotion codes where they earn 5% or 10% per sale. If nobody buys, she doesn’t earn money. But if you sell yourself well, you can charge up to 1.000 € for a posting with 100.000 followers and more. Whether the respective customer takes part is another question, that’s where the individual negotiation skills come into play. Especially if you don’t have an agency and negotiate privately, which most ex-candidates have to do. But here, as I said, it depends extremely on how business-minded the respective person is. There are also many positive examples such as Stefanie Giesinger and Lena Gercke.

FIV – How does your social media agency calculate prices for Instagram?

Stephan Czaja – The evaluation is not only about the number of followers, but also about interaction and the own community. Anyone can buy followers on the internet for a few dollars. Even apart from bought followers there are many people who for example post “only” sexy photos, but have hardly any interaction with their own community. Those who have little interaction, little discussion and participation, quickly drop in the rating. However, those who interact a lot with their own community, are active on a daily basis and make an effort to create strong content so that their own community is entertained will be rated well.

The interaction ultimately decides who gets the job and, above all, how much he or she gets for the job!

Model Castings

FIV – For your social media agency, the model agency but also fashion shows you often organize castings, how does a model casting work? And can everybody participate in such a casting or only by invitation?

Stephan Czaja – A classic casting, as well as for my last fashion show at the Berlin Fashion Week, usually takes place in a time window of 3 to 4 hours. The casting date is then sent to selected model agencies or bookers about 2 weeks in advance, who in turn send suitable models to their agency for casting. Accordingly, such good casting dates are not publicly available, such as so-called open castings. Castings for fashion shows but also for jobs are usually never public. Public castings are mostly done for two reasons: Either to save costs (people models) or as PR effect (many participants, nice videos). Castings for jobs are almost always exclusive and only on invitation of the advertising agency or model agencies. The network and the reputation (the reputation of the model agency) is extremely valuable for models, because this is how they get the good jobs.

The casting usually takes place 1 week before the fashion show, so there is still time to adjust clothes, logistical issues have to be solved, the location has to be prepared, then there is a fitting and a rehearsal in advance. All this is part of the organization of a fashion show. During the fitting, the clothes are tried on, so that everything is guaranteed to fit on the day of the show. At the rehearsal the choreography is shown to music, directly on the location, depending on how complex the catwalk is, from a simple hall to a big show in Paris. Therefore the casting will take place 1 week before the show.

At the casting everything happens very fast! Between 40 and 200 models wait in front of the entrance, depending on how many are finally booked at the show. Most shows book 12 – 24 models. At the casting, model after model is now called. She or he introduces himself or herself briefly, does a short catwalk in front of the Creative Art Director and the designer. After the casting all model agencies are informed about the booked models, they then organize everything in the models’ schedule.

One more little tip! So the actual casting usually takes a minute, maybe two. Sometimes the fitting is done directly at the casting, so if you are asked to try on a piece of clothing, you are a little closer to the job.

Tips for Model Castings

FIV – What can you recommend models for their next casting? Do you have tips for young models and their first casting in a marketing, social media or advertising agency?

Stephan Czaja – Yes, I have two very simple ones. First: Smile! Second: Be natural! When Creative Art Director like me has a long day, it’s nice to have a smile. After all, you want to sell your own product with pleasure, especially if you have spent weeks and months working on a project, the concept, the strategy and the implementation! Accordingly, one is happy when models come into the room in a positive mood. A smile directly brings a few extra points in the casting.

You should be absolutely natural, no make-up, no hairstyling, just you! Your outfit should not distract either, best you wear black jeans and a black top. You should also wear plain white or black shoes. Female models should also have a pair of high heels and a plain black bikini. This way you are perfectly prepared for an audition as a model!

Model portfolio at casting

FIV – What if you are absolutely new and have no photos?

Stephan Czaja – If you don’t have your own model portfolio yet, with lots of photoshootings, you should honestly say, “I have been modeling for about 3 weeks and I am happy to be here”! Take your first photos with you on a tablet, just like the pros! New Faces should always be honest! After all, you have the chance to convince personally at the casting. Use it! And don’t forget a friendly smile every now and then!

FIV – What does the perfect model portfolio look like?

Stephan Czaja – In a perfect model portfolio you should have about 30-40 different photos. 1 photo each from tests with good photographers and jobs from customers.

FIV – After a casting you usually go directly to the shooting. How long do you actually work on a social media campaign, from the first concept to the shooting and publication?

Stephan Czaja – That differs extremely, but usually a campaign is planned in a period of 2 to 6 months, then published. Depending on how many agencies and actors are involved, how extensive the project becomes, for example in the area of different countries and languages, different media, 2 to 6 months are then realistic. Accordingly, everything has to work on the day of the photo shoot!

Exactly this one day, when the model is booked, is the intersection: the media production. Before that came the whole conception, strategy, planning. After the media production comes the whole marketing, promotion, analysis and reporting. So the day of the photo shoot is crucial, for the release date, the whole run-up to an advertising campaign and for everything that comes after in the area of public relations. That’s why you don’t become a top model overnight. When agencies send models on such jobs, suggest them or even send them to castings, then only if they have absolute trust in the model, through many years of cooperation.

Fashion show: How do you plan a show?

FIV – At the end I wanted to come up with a special topic, you organize fashion shows! Speaking of GNTM, the winner of last season Simone was at your last show in Berlin, as well as other celebrities and influencers, but also media such as Sat1 Prominent, Hapers Bazaar, the full program. For all those who were not there, Stephan’s fashion show was a real highlight this summer, with Swimming Pool Runway, right in the middle of Berlin, in Crested Grebe. After Karl Lagerfeld there was no one from Germany who makes great haute couture shows, except Philipp Plein who lives in the USA. Your last fashion show set new standards at Berlin Fashion Week. Can you tell us a bit about your last show as Creative Director?

Stephan Czaja – For me, as a creative director or organizer of a fashion show, like everyone else who does this kind of job, it means work, of course! In short, while everyone is enjoying the after show party, I usually drive models and staff back to the hotel, for example if a driver drops out, I organize the dismantling for the next day and just fall KO into bed! So much for the real life! I pay attention to all details, accordingly I am with my employees and models, not on stage.

But the last show was absolutely crazy for Berlin! Maybe you can add the YouTube video later. We did the show extremely spontaneously, I think in two or three weeks everything was organized, from the catwalk elements to the musician, guest management, model casting, choreographer, snack and drinks, everything. It was important for work! And it was extremely spontaneous but in the end we really did it and created a real highlight on Saturday night, for the grand finale of Berlin Fashion Week.

[ our video version is currently being edited and will be online soon ]

New highlight in Berlin – July

FIV – Finally, can you tell us something about your next fashion show? Which highlight can we as visitors look forward to and will we get Front Row Seating?

Stephan Czaja – We can spoil a little, we definitely grabbed the same location Guido Maria Kretschmer had last year. One of my absolute favourite hotels in Berlin, directly at the Spree! What makes this hotel so special? Here you can order your own electric guitar in your room, for example, a real Rockstar Hotel! On top of the Rooftop there is a separate 7 million Euro studio for recording songs. Everything top modern and chic. It’s located directly at the Spree, in the heart of Berlin and we’re just planning. Nothing is set in stone yet, but if everything works out, it will again be an absolute highlight in July. I can’t promise you Front Row, who knows who will come, but you will definitely get invitations, gladly.

FIV – Thank you very much for the detailed interview and for taking time for all our questions. That was our XXL interview with Stephan Czaja, owner of CM Models. If you want to know more about the model agency, you can find the website of CM Models and the agency Social Media One here.

Agencies and tips

• Model Agency – CM Models
• Social Media Agency – Social Media One

Become a model, free tips on the blog and the book “The Model Book” by Stephan.

• Become A Model – CM Models Blog

Launch of the TikTok Shop in Germany

FIV: When does TikTok expect to launch the TikTok Shop in Germany and what features can users expect?

Sina Kadir, Social Expert

Sina: Various sources report that the TikTok Shop will soon be available in Germany. The launch brings with it exciting features, such as the ability to buy products from creators and brands directly via the app. Particularly exciting is the “buy with one click” feature, which simplifies the purchasing process.

Advantages for companies and creators

FIV: What advantages will the TikTok Shop offer German companies and creators?

Sina: The TikTok Shop enables companies and content creators to present their products to a broad audience and strengthen the bond with the TikTok community. The “buy with one click” option makes shopping on TikTok easy and attractive for the target group.

FIV: How is the security of payment transactions in the TikTok Shop guaranteed?

Sina: The security of payment transactions is a top priority. TikTok uses encryption technologies and offers well-known payment methods to ensure the confidentiality of user data and the security of payments.

Effective use of the TikTok Shop

FIV: How can companies and content creators effectively use the TikTok Shop to market their products? Sina: The TikTok Shop can be used as a marketing tool to present products creatively via videos. Authentic and appealing videos arouse the interest of users, and the simple redirection to the product in the app simplifies the sales process.

Offers in the TikTok Shop

FIV: Who can offer products in the TikTok Shop – and are there restrictions for certain categories?

Sina: The store is open to (almost) all companies and brands, but there will probably be restrictions in certain product categories to ensure the quality and safety of the products on offer.

Advantages for companies

FIV: Are there any advantages for companies using the TikTok Shop?

Sina: TikTok plans to introduce special incentives and promotional opportunities for businesses using the TikTok Shop, such as promoting products in TikTok ads and promotions.

FIV: What does the integration of the TikTok Shop into the TikTok app look like? How are users made aware of products?

Sina: The TikTok Shop will be seamlessly integrated into the TikTok app, and users will be able to discover products in their feeds and in creator videos. Personalized recommendations based on users’ interests will suggest interesting products.

Store: This is what the TikTok Store looks like

FIV: What steps should companies and creators take to prepare for the launch of the TikTok Shop?

Sina: Companies and creators should create high-quality product images and videos, develop a clear product marketing strategy and adhere to the TikTok Shop Guidelines in order to be successful. Authentic and creative content is key.

FIV: Sina, thank you very much for the interview! How can interested parties find out more about possible strategies?

Sina: With pleasure. Anyone who would like to find out more is welcome to contact me directly. I would be happy to discuss possible strategies without obligation.

TikTok Shop: What you need to know

Sina Kadir, Social Expert

In this interview, we learned that the TikTok Shop is expected to be launched in Germany soon and will offer exciting features, including the ability to “buy with one click”. Companies and creators can benefit from this integration to promote their products to a wide audience and strengthen the bond with the TikTok community. The security of payment transactions is guaranteed and there are benefits for companies using the TikTok Shop. The integration of the store into the TikTok app promises a seamless experience for users. To prepare for the launch, companies should create high-quality content and develop a clear strategy.

Thanks to our TikTok marketing expert Sina for the interview!

Thanks to Keynote Speaker One: Speaker Agency (external).

How much do you earn as a speaker?

FIV: Thank you for taking the time again! Today we want to hear what tips you have for those who want to become speakers. Not only as a transition to my questions about becoming a speaker, I have to ask you! I’m sure many people are interested in one thing in particular: How much do you earn as a speaker?

Knowledge that creates money brings money. So simply put, the more effective your knowledge serves to achieve goals, this does not always have to be money, it could also be about building networks, for example with business representatives, more commonly known as lobbyists, the higher the knowledge transfer is calculated and charged. In short, if you manage to generate more money for the client, you can become a consultant or speaker.

First, though, it’s important to me, speakers don’t just work for money!

Prices for Speaking, Workshop and Coaching

There are many people who have, let’s say, made it, for whom money also no longer has the significance it has for others who are still starting out. They want to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation. For example, if millionaires speaking at a small startup conference. For them, it’s primarily not about the money, but about helping other people, motivating them.

To come to your question about the earnings, who starts as a speaker, without an agency, is already good with three-digit fees. As a rule, it is only one hour of work on site. Of course, there is preparation, travel, the final input for the participants, but it is often limited to 60 minutes when it comes to speaking. Those are the early days. Events with over 200 participants usually have people speaking who earn in the four-figure, five-figure range.

Then there are whole workshops or coaching sessions, so to speak, with simultaneous mentoring. Such a day can look like this, for example, that a lecture is given for 30 to 60 minutes, followed by a work unit for 30 to 120 minutes. This change takes place because, 4 times. The effort in the preparation is of course much higher. Accordingly, there is also a higher fee here.

When it comes to prominent speakers, as well as CEOs of large companies, we’re usually talking four-figure to six-figure amounts, for an appointment.

That information will have to do for now!

Topics that will make you a lot of money as a speaker

FIV: In which areas, or in other words, with which contents and lectures, can you earn a lot of money as a speaker?

I would answer the question like this: Don’t pay attention to the topics, but to the customers or industries. Also a good tip for all those who want to become a speaker. Which industry, economy or trade sector has high sales and at the same time many companies, i.e. potential clients?

A simple, classic area that really everyone knows are banks and financial institutions. They manage assets of wealthy people and are accordingly always looking for new inputs from all areas. Whether it’s marketing for reach, sales for closes, or digitization in companies, for more efficient, internal work processes. Such wealthy clients are naturally willing to pay more for good content.

Example: Facial expression training for asset managers

FIV: Can you give me an example of such a special and at the same time profitable area?

A practical example, one of our speakers is particularly concerned with facial expressions. That means he reads faces, more specifically, the emotion in the other person’s face. So he can see whether someone agrees or disagrees with an opinion, simply put. So if a wealth manager is sitting in front of a wealthy person in a meeting, proposing different investment options, he or she can tell by facial expressions whether the client is more likely to agree or disagree, no matter what he or she explicitly says.

Perhaps a client rejects a certain type of investment, simply out of principle or because he or she went into the conversation with other plans. But you can tell from the facial expression that there is a lot of interest, so the investment advisor should not change the subject now, but perhaps drill down a little further, once again mention advantages and so on. This is a simple example, but this simple action generates in the end perhaps an additional turnover of 10 million. All this by learning from 1 day.

Such knowledge, such skills are worth their weight in gold when it comes to investment advice.

Becoming a Speaker: Tips from the experts

FIV: Thank you for the insight. With this example you can see directly how deep the topics can go in your speeches or with the customers. I would also like to be able to read the facial expressions in the interview! Where do I pick up, where not, very exciting. That brings us right to the questions for our readers who want to become speakers! How do you become a speaker and what do you need?

Checklist: Become a Speaker

This is where I would give you very Speaker-Like, succinct bullet points. Let me think for a second. In very, very short, this is what it takes to become a speaker:

1. Who are you? Generalist, specialist or a known person
2. You need a track record or specific skills that lead to successes
3. You need a topic, better still a prepared presentation on slides
4. You need experience and reputation through project and customers
5. You need networking, outreach, orders, repeat business and referrals.

Your appearance: personality and theme

FIV: What do readers who want to become speakers need to know about each of the areas you just mentioned?

Okay, let’s recap in really, really short order. You have to decide how you want to appear. There are generalists, like CEOs, managers, self-made millionaires, who don’t specialize in a certain area, but can overview, understand and also explain more complex contexts. They know the steps, but often not the work itself. Simply put, someone had the idea for software, but doesn’t know how to program. Programmers do the work, she or he takes care of the management and development of the company, between programming, sales, accounting, human resource management, location management, etc. The same is true in business and politics. Here it is important to have reputation as a speaker, that means people know what you stand for.

Are you such in generalist? Or are you a specialist, i.e. the programmer who knows how to implement ideas and build an application from them?

These are specialists, they deal with a precise topic. The programmer perhaps with Industry 4.0 in digitalization, more explicitly with “Automatisms in production lines the automotive industry”. A generalist would rather give a lecture on “Industry 4.0 in the automotive industry”.

Important for these two groups of speakers, they need success stories! Because only those who have success stories to show will be perceived by others as mentors.

Then there are well known people, they are booked for your name, for internal and / or external reputation reasons.

So first and foremost, find your personality to portray to the outside world and your theme, or themes.

Experience and reputation (good reputation for recommendation)

FIV: What did you mean by experience and reputation?

Experience is made up of many components, the most important of which is your track record. You’ve been doing your job for 20 years and you’ve done it successfuly. Or, you’ve programmed an application that hasn’t been done before. You’re top in human resource management and now you’re passing on your experience as a headhunter. You have built a successful company. All these are success stories.

At the same time, however, failure is also ok, that is, mistakes that were made. The mix of success and failure then creates the hero story. Depending on how emotional you want to build your own speech, a very powerful tool for emotionalizing the audience.

Top lecture topics as a door opener for speakers

That brings us back to the topic. You need a topic that you understand and can explain. Especially if you are at the beginning and don’t have a big name yet, you need an exact topic that makes you stand out. In marketing, this is called the “long tail”.

FIV: Can you explain that a little bit more?

Before that, we were on Industry 4.0, a very general topic. A longtail would then be the topic “Industry 4.0: Automation in production lines the automotive industry”. It is much easier to establish yourself when the competition is small. The typical principle of supply and demand. Therefore, young people in particular who want to become speakers should focus on the fact that they place themselves in new topics, here they can address in particular older people and make them their customers. These lack the new knowledge, at the same time they already have assets to pay you, simply put. A win-win situation for both sides.

Now just comes the big question, how do you get customers? Network and reach are the answer. It differs depending on whether it’s about qualitative or quantitative networks. If, for example, you are dealing with the aforementioned “automation in automotive manufacturing”, you don’t need large distribution lists, but rather targeted, few contacts in the large companies and corporations. However, anyone who deals with the topic of “becoming self-employed and earning money”, for example, needs to address a large number of people (private individuals) in order to be able to make a living from it.

In general, I would say, as always when you want to become an entrepreneur, you need a certain topic, you then need to work on it enough and you need to find people who appreciate your work.

Does training as a speaker make sense?

FIV: Is there actually a speaker training?

Most speakers are self-taught. They are good at something and can explain it. I don’t think training is useful, at least not one that is longer than a little coaching, from another renowned expert. Also handy to see what criteria you would look for yourself when looking for a coach. But the danger is, one tells you this, the other that. What you then lose as a speaker is your authentic manner, whether calm or psyched up as an entertainer. So I would say coaching to package content better, to deliver better, in presentation and structure, makes sense. Anything that changes personality should be well thought out.

Live or virtual: advantages and disadvantages

FIV: In view of the current situation and all the digitalization, what do you think is better as an expert: live or virtual? Why: Especially through the time with Covid, we have done many things online that were previously almost always offline. For example, meetings, workshops and, of course, training and coaching. Did you have digital lectures?

I’ve also had a lot of digital lectures in the last year and a half. But I’m not a fan of it, at least not with the current solutions and bandwidths!

For example, I just had to split a group of 260 people, into three groups, so I had to hire an additional 2 speakers. All because it’s not possible to reliably bring more than 50, 60 people in one stream. This is despite the fact that we had already chosen one of the great software solutions for this appointment.

Problem: Bandwidth for video calls

FIV: What exactly is the problem?

The big problem, the bandwidth and the common processing of the data. I am the only one who can stream a video. The more that connect with video over, it’s no different with audio, the worse the connection gets. So basically I’m talking without seeing a single participant. At the first event I thought okay, this can be worked on. But now, a year later, it’s no different. As I said, I’m not a fan of digital training when those are the conditions when it’s also live.

In this example, it was so that no one could ask a question back without having to join in extra, after all, everyone has to deactivate their microphones and webcams. In a live situation, I would see a response immediately, digitally, without video, because of bandwidth or software, I don’t know, people have to actively decide to check in first. That’s an incredibly big barrier. That’s why hardly anyone dares to ask a follow-up question. It always feels like an interruption to the participants, so they feel like they are “interrupting”. It’s also hard to take away that feeling.

After all, you don’t see the reactions of the other guests and you don’t know how they are thinking or feeling, do they have questions or not? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand?

Communication and audience response

FIV: So live or virtual makes a difference?

Yes, live or virtual makes a big difference! Of course, there are always the exceptions, the very diligent, who can learn just as effectively digitally. But as a rule, emotions are part of it, as just discussed but also queries. As a speaker, it’s also much easier for me to see the number of questioning faces, depending on how specific the topic is. Then I can respond to them, for example, elaborate a little further.

At the same time, the participants have the opportunity to discuss among themselves, i.e. live, quietly during the lecture, but also during the breaks, and of course before and after the speaking. The spirit, from stage to audience, is also quite different. And in the end, it’s not just about the factual knowledge, the information, but above all about motivation, wanting to achieve more! Sometimes you first have to awaken the will, sometimes you have to focus and channel it.

Live lectures have many advantages, for the participants and accordingly also for the client. The results are more effective.

FIV: Thanks for the great and detailed answers!

Keynote Speaker One (website): Speaker Agency.

Part 1: Speaker Agency and Trend Topics

Speaker Agency – Learning is something that never stops. We start with our parents, in kindergarten, come to school, do training or study, attend workshops, training and further education, learn languages, arts. Out of personal passion or to earn more money. Many companies invest a little more and book real experts for their company and their employees. Many names are only known in professional circles, others are prominent and known to all. We caught up with the owner of a speaker agency today to talk about the industry, processes and speakers. What are important topics for companies, what are trending topics? We also asked him: how does one actually become a speaker? Maybe you have some valuable knowledge of your own that you can share with others. But let’s start at the very beginning!

• Speaker Agency – Interview

Website?! WordPress, Shopify & Co. – Before the SEO

The principle of search engine optimization doesn’t just work with WordPress. You can use the same methodology for more complex systems like Magento, as well as simple DIY website builders like Shopify.

In the example you can see the work in WordPress. If you haven’t read Part 1: Installing WordPress yet, or if you’re not familiar with WordPress, then you should definitely read the first part again to understand how the content management system works.

Here once again is the big goal:

With these SEO tips and strategies you can have 100,000 visitors a month! Without additional advertising costs, only through organic search of people and good content.

Creating SEO texts: Structure is the key

Before you dive deep into the matter of search engine optimization, you need to deal with the basics of SEO texts. In this video you will learn how to create basic well-structured texts in WordPress. These texts have the goal to contain all relevant information about a certain keyword. In addition, you have to make sure that a red thread is spun, so to speak the storytelling.

Depending on the text, the structure differs. Your goal is to understand how to build fundamentally good text structures, even without software for keyword analysis. You will learn how to use software, using Google.de and Xovi as examples, in the following videos.

Explainer video: Create SEO texts

You’ll learn these steps in the video:

• Create post
• Headlines
• Heel length
• Text length
• Key points
• Introduction
• Category
• Tags
• Media Library

How long does an SEO text have to be?

Who creates his first SEO text, often faces the question, how many words must have a good text? The word count cannot be defined exactly and across the board. Depending on how big the competition is and what content they have produced so far in their search engine optimization, your texts must adapt flexibly.

Basically, whoever has the most wins!

But the important thing is that quality always comes before quantity.

In this video you learn to analyze the competition without the use of paid software. The big advantage is that you can also give a spontaneous assessment at meetings. All you need is your smartphone and Google.com.

Explainer video: Length of your texts

Learn in this video:

• Competition analysis with Google.de
• Comparison and assessment

SEO Text Optimization with Google.com

After you have already learned how to build good SEO texts in principle, you will now additionally get to know the use of tools. With these tools you can significantly improve your text structure. In the video series you will first learn to work with Google.

Google gives you opportunities that no marketing manager has had before!

You get free market analysis from millions of people. What are you looking for? Again, you can do totally free analysis without buying extra software. You can learn how effectively you can improve your text with it in this video.

Explainer video: SEO Text Optimization with Google.com

The individual steps of the video at a glance:

• Structure and Keyword Optimization
• Search box from Google.com
• Use frequent search queries
• Integration in SEO text structure

SEO text optimization with Xovi (Sistrix, etc.)

So far you have learned a lot, the basic structure of SEO texts, the right word count for your texts but also the use of Google.de as a free market analysis tool.

Once you have reached a certain size or are already aiming for a certain size in advance, it is also worth taking a look at keyword analysis software. This includes, for example, providers such as Xovi and Sistrix. In the video example you will get to know the software Xovi and the keyword analysis of the software.

The keyword analysis takes a look at the search queries of google.de in the past 30 days. So you can see in which quantities, which search queries were made. This allows you to estimate which keyboard or which keyboard combination is retrieved most often. Accordingly, you can strategically align your SEO planning.

PS: I don’t use any single paid software! My tip: Google Search, Google Search Results (search bar, suggested keywords) + Keyword Shitter.

As you can imagine, it’s usually worth tackling the big keywords. After all, this is where the big money lies in the end. However, if you have a small company or a young start-up, so-called longtails are worthwhile. Longtails are the strings of words.

An exact, precise keyword would be “real estate agent” and a possible longtail “condominium sell real estate agent Hamburg”. It is usually easier to achieve high rankings in the long tail because there is less competition here.

Explainer video: SEO Text Optimization with Xovi

Here you learn the text structure optimization with keyword analysis:

• Structure and Keyword Optimization
• Keyword analysis by search volume
• Integration in SEO text structure
• Keyword relevance (frequent up)

Spider Web Structure: Great SEO Pages

Spider web structure is a synonym for working in multiple layers. In this explainer video, you’ll learn how to strategically plan a major SEO project. Simply put, it’s about building a strong home page. In the next step you need level 2, the most important keywords. If you were a fashion online store, then your home page would be optimized for “fashion online store”, the second level would be fashion brands such as Givenchy, Prada or as in the example Louis Vuitton.

In level 3 you were then more satellite pages on, for your second level. This would be e.g. “Louis Vuitton fashion show”, “Louis Vuitton bag” or “Louis Vuitton store”.

Of course, you could continue after this level, e.g. you could optimize Louis Vuitton bags and serve individual models with additional articles. So you could also strengthen your third level, the “Louis Vuitton bag” through its subordinate satellite pages.

So you build up your SEO construct piece by piece and like a spider web it expands in different directions.

• Spiderweb
• Create main page
• Internal linking

Levels:

1. Level: Home page
2. Level: Keywords
3. Level: Longtail
4. Level: Ultra Longtail; useful for online shops and individual products

Explainer video: Spider web structure

Satellite pages: Supporter for your keywords

In the last video you learned how to build your own SEO structure, the so-called spider web. In this video you will learn how to build subordinate satellite pages. In this video you will learn the basics. In the SEO Masterclass you will find many trainings, e.g. on job traffic, car tax, travel reports, much more.

Satellite pages support the respective higher level through content and links. If you have a large article on the topic of “Louis Vuitton”, for example, you can increase its ranking through a larger number of subordinate articles. To do this, you create individual pages that serve the long tail. Should a longtail could be e.g. the “Louis Vuitton handbag” but in another level lower, a specific handbag model of Louis Vuitton.

All pages are linked to each other. The superordinate pages refer to the respective subordinate pages, as long as there are not more than 20,30. All subordinate pages link to their parent page.

This increases the content flow, which means the number of pages that a visitor looks at on average, but also the dwell time, which means the time that a user spends on your online project. The higher these key figures are, the better your page will be in PageRank. So it rises in the ranking.

Explainer video: Satellite Pages

Here you’ll learn:

• Level 1 – Fashion brands (main page)
• Level 2 – Individual brands – Louis Vuitton (contribution)
• Level 3 – Individual Brands Detail – Louis Vuitton Videos (Support Post)

WordPress to SEO Setup: Learn in 6 Parts

You want to start your own business and still need the right website or your own online shop? Then WordPress is the solution for your sales and marketing! WordPress is free, please thousands of extensions and themes and is relatively quickly installed and set up. Here we have a collection of videos that you can use to install your WordPress quickly and easily yourself. These videos from the series WordPress and SEO Tips, from the Lukinski SEO and Marketing Masterclass, show you everything important: From WordPress download to themes and of course the most important settings for SEO, the search engine optimization (for Google, Bing & Co).

• WordPress to SEO set up

More WordPress and SEO Tips!

This was the first series on the topic of “SEO text creation basics”. If you want to delve deeper into the topic of search engine optimization, you can find many more interesting articles about WordPress and SEO tips here. You want more video tips? Don’t miss a new tutorial and follow Lukinski Youtube!

We also have some other interesting articles for founders here:

• Develop business idea
• Establish a company: Legal Forms
• Tax accountant near you: Tips
• Doing your taxes: Videos

Installing WordPress: Step by step guide

In the first part you will see how to download your WordPress, with an FTP program, play on your own web space. In addition, a MySQL database is created, here all information will be stored later. Both steps you have to do only once at the beginning.

Once download, FTP and MySQL are done, you can install WordPress. After that, the system is ready to set up.

Explainer Video: Install WordPress

How to install WordPress:

• Archive Download
• Set up FTP users
• FTP tool and WP transfer
• Create MySQL database
• Installation
• Connect database and WP

• Filezilla Download FTP Program

WordPress setup

After installing WordPress, you need to finish setting up the system. In the video you will learn the first, important 5 steps. This includes the permalinks, for your search engine optimization and beautiful URL, the page title but also your home page and your blogroll. Finally, you create your first, own main menu. Your site is already built from the ground up and you can already start working.

What is a beautiful permalink?

WordPress itself would select the following link for this article:

https://fivmagazine.com/2021/05/sample-post/

This we change, through the settings in the permalinks to:

https://fivmagazine.com/sample-post/

Explainer Video: Set up WordPress

The five basic settings at a glance:

• Set permalinks
• Assign page title
• Home page and blog
• Logo of your site
• Create main menu

Buy and install theme

With a theme you make your WordPress site more “beautiful” and functional. Often it is also called template or design template. With such a theme you can change the design of your site in a few steps. How to install such a theme, you learn in this video. As you can see in video 1, you will need an FTP program. Alternatively, you can upload your ZIP archive in the WordPress back-end.

After the upload follows the activation and your first settings.

Explainer video: Install Theme

That’s what the next video is about:

• Install Theme
• Download (example: Themeforest.net)
• FTP transfer
• Activation in WordPress
• First settings

Expansion to e-commerce & Co.

After learning WordPress installation, setting up WordPress, and already having a little insight into using themes, you’ll get to the possible expansion of WordPress as a system in Part 4.

The content management system is extensible through a variety of plugins. A large part of these extensions is even free of charge. Especially for self-employed and young companies a great benefit. You can e.g. make an e-commerce out of your WordPress in no time. So you have your own online shop, right at the beginning of self-employment. Theoretically, you can learn all the basics in 24 hours!

You can get a small insight into the multitude of variations in this explanatory video.

Explainer video: Expansion to e-commerce & Co.

The contents of the video:

• Blog
• Corporate website
• Online shop
• Landing page
• Multilingual
• …

System: pages, posts, category and URL

Now that you’ve gotten to know WordPress a little better, it’s about the basic functions in the active work. In the search engine optimization, however, it also depends very fundamentally on many, individual aspects. Roughly it is about:

To do content marketing you need good content. When you first take a look at WordPress, many questions naturally arise.

Important to mention are pages, or in the English system “Pages”. Times you must for all static content, eg your home page, contact page, privacy but also your imprint.

Posts are used for your daily content. E.g. news, new products but also typical SEO texts.

You should use categories sparingly and use as few as possible, but as many as necessary. As a rough rule of thumb, five to ten categories are perfectly adequate.

Last but not least, let’s take a look at the URL. It is important for the search engine optimization of your site, so that you can be found. You can find more tips on the URL of your page in the original article WordPress and SEO Tips on Social Media One.

Explainer video: Pages, posts, category and URL

In the video “System: Pages, Posts, Category and URL” you will learn:

• Page
• Mail
• Category
• URL

SEO: Search engine optimization for Google

You want to learn more about search engine optimization? Through SEO you can bring your page on Google far to the front. The higher your page is ranked in the search results, the more people would click on you. Whether you want to become a real estate agent, tax accountant, and open your own online fashion store or even yoga classes in your city. With search engine optimization you can attract new customers! You want to learn how to do it? Read the second part about becoming self-employed on the internet here:

• Part 2: Writing SEO texts

More WordPress and SEO Tips!

These and other great videos about becoming self-employed, making money on the internet, search engine optimization but also digital marketing can be found not only in the original article WordPress and SEO tips but also on the YouTube channel of Lukinski. Don’t miss a new tutorial and follow Lukinski on YouTube!

We also have some other interesting articles for founders here:

• Develop business idea
• Establish a company: Legal Forms
• Tax accountant near you: Tips
• Doing your taxes: Videos

Start a company: But which one? List

Shall we list all possible business forms in Germany? There are sole proprietorships, civil law partnerships (GbR), registered traders (e.K.), general partnerships (OHG), limited partnerships (KG), entrepreneurial companies (UG), limited liability companies (GmbH) and public limited companies (AG). In addition, there are sometimes even more special forms, such as the GmbH, the GmbH & Co KG and GmbH & Co OHG, and even family foundations. Which type of company is right for you, your requirements and your goals?

Tip. All company forms in one list. Now on Lukinski: Legal forms

Company: List

1. Sole trader / sole proprietor
2. Civil law partnership (GbR)
3. Registered businessman (e.K.)
4. General partnership (OHG)
5. Limited partnership (KG)
6. Entrepreneurial company (UG)
7. Limited liability company (GmbH)
8. Stock corporation (AG)

PS: You are still missing a brilliant business idea?

Find a business idea: Idea to business plan

From the idea to the finished business plan, before you decide on a type of company, you need a valid (profitable) business idea. But how do you come up with a good business idea, with as much demand and as little competition as possible? Here’s a little free guide for you and your business idea:

• Find a business idea

We also have other interesting articles for founders and the topic of taxes:

• Tax accountant near you: Tips
• Doing your taxes: Videos