How to Be a Freelance Makeup Artist

If you're already a makeup artist, here are some great tips on landing your first gigs as a freelance artist!

Things You'll Need

• Talent
• Networking skills
• An online portfolio space (website)
• A day-planner or scheduling tool

Instructions

1. 

   Hire someone or create your own website portfolio that showcases "before and after" pictures. If you don't already have these, ask your friends to sit for you and do their make-up. Work out a barter/trade with an up and coming photographer who needs to build their portfolio as well. The more professional your website and images, the more you'll get hired.

2. 

   Once your website is top-notch, it's time to start marketing yourself! Create business cards with your preferred professional contact information and the website. Announce your services on any social networking sites that you belong to (Facebook, MySpace, etc.). The goal is to direct as much web traffic to your website as possible.

3. In this business, it's all word of mouth! Assemble a list of people you know who might be interested in using your "services." Who do you know that could benefit from your talent? Do you have a friend getting married soon? Do your little sisters' friends need prom make-up?

4. Reach out to as many INDIVIDUALS as possible. Mass emails and mass text messages only go so far when it comes to actually booking a gig. Pick up the phone! Write a personal message!

5. With every client that you work with, make sure you give them your business card! You can even give a couple of extras and ask them to spread the word to their friends, associates.

6. 

   Join networking groups! Make friends in the industry! If one make-up artist can't make it to a gig, they will often refer their talented friends in their stead!

7. The better the work that you do, the better the word of mouth will be. It's all about self-marketing and putting your name out there.

8. Connect with artists in complimentary fields and create team packages! If you know a photographer, ask him to advertise that any shoots he does can come with professional makeup artistry (yours) for an extra fee (which goes to you). Other complimentary fields:
   - Wedding Planners
   - Hair Stylists
   - Modeling Agencies
   - Event Planners
   - Clothing Designers/Fashion

Tips & Warnings

• Friends or family will sometimes want you to do their make-up for free. It's probably better to charge them a special "friends and family" rate- or barter with them for things that you might need.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish