App for the modeling industry bypasses agencies

Swipecast is an app that connects modeling professionals directly with clients, sidestepping agencies altogether.

We are seeing the emergence of an industry based around reducing the need for a middlemen. The latest such example is Swipecast, an app that connects modeling professionals — including models, photographers and stylists — directly with clients, sidestepping the traditional business model of agencies altogether.

The modeling industry has already been somewhat transformed by social media — Instagram in particular, enables professional or amateur models and creatives to market themselves online and grab the attention of both the public and potential clients. Now, Swipecast aims to democratize the industry further by providing a platform dedicated to communication and booking facilities. To begin, users create a profile with photographs, personal description and details of any campaigns they have already been used in. Then, bookers can search the database, browse portfolios and get in touch with interesting users via in-app communication tools. They can make booking requests, finalize arrangements and organize payment through the app.

Swipecast takes a ten percent cut of any booking made through the platform, which is significantly lower than agencies who usually take approximately 40 percent. Models who are already on an agents’ books can still use the platform and direct clients to their agent, or use it to book small gigs that would usually be passed over. Could a similar platform be used for booking other professionals, too?