Being a makeup artist is a job that’s not for the faint of heart or for those afraid of new things! No, I am not talking about new products– unless you are thinking about technology! Why would a makeup artist use technology? Why would they not? Whether freelance or part of the corporate beauty world, there are millions of reasons to stay on top of technology starting with keeping friends, fans and brands aware of what a makeup artist is working on (and who they are working with!)
Thankfully, I was able to snag Taly Waisberg, fabulous freelance makeup artist to give us her take on how she uses technology on her gigs. She has written a great guest blog and I hope you enjoy it!
Beauty on the Go:
How makeup artist Taly Waisberg uses technology to take her talents to the road
Taly Waisberg
I moved to New York City from Chile in 2012, and ever since then I travel all over town making women look beautiful for commercials, fashion shows, and photo shoots for magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. In my line of work, I always travel to the job site, rather than having clients come to me, but this trend goes beyond just makeup artists. According to an article in The New York Times, mobile businesses have been on the rise for the past decade. Freelancers like me have taken their skills to the road and have succeeded in finding a niche with less startup fees and lower maintenance costs of a brick and mortar business.
The Challenge of a Mobile Office
My main concern—and what makes me a sought-after makeup artist—is ensuring my clients are 100 percent happy with the looks I create for them. But it takes more than talent and a knack for customer service to run a successful business. While I love the freedom of being my own boss, all the back office work became overwhelming since I’m always on the move. When am I supposed to catch up on bookkeeping? Certainly not my precious free time! Integrating technology has been vital in staying on top of my appointments and finances and helps ensure everything runs smoothly. It’s also helped build my brand, which is a special challenge when you don’t have a stationary storefront in which to advertise.
Here are some of my tips for success:
• Work Smarter, Not Harder
Paperwork can easily be misplaced. Tech-savvy tools keep everything you need on hand 24 hours a day. File-storing programs like Dropbox can be accessed from anywhere through a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. It’s easy to schedule appointments and reminders with calendar and alert apps. Programs like Wunderlist help you check off your to-do list without having to search for a pen and notepad.
There’s no need to spend hours with online promotion, either. You can have an eye-catching website and promotional materials by using freelance sites such as Upwork to find professionals who will do it for you. Managing multiple social network profiles can be a headache—but having a social presence is essential to many businesses, especially those in creative fields like designers or stylists, where visually displaying your craft is key. I get a ton of new client inquiries based on my Instagram account, @talymakeup, because it’s visually appealing, showcases my talents and I’m always sharing new pics. Programs like Hootsuite let you schedule several posts and tweets all at once so you can focus on customers.
• Save Time and Get Paid
Cash flow is the lifeblood of a small businesses and freelancers, so it’s especially important to keep track of finances. During particularly busy times like Fashion Week, I can’t risk falling behind with the back office details. I have to stay focused on making my clients beautiful. I use a great mobile app called Invoice2go to make sure my customers get timely invoices that reflect my professional services. With this app, I don’t have to worry that a bill will get lost in the mail. I can create and send an invoice in less than three minutes, and I’ve noticed I get paid faster, too!
• Building a Brand
I live for creating bold, beautiful looks to bring out a woman’s inner beauty—but I’m not the only talented makeup artist in New York. How do I make myself stand out? By building a unique brand that reflects my skills and vision. Take my logo for example. It’s an eye-catching blue with prominent lettering and a little splash of color at the bottom that provides a simple, yet perfect clue as to what I’m all about.
The key is putting out a memorable image that shows you are putting a professional foot forward and that you love what you do. Get your logo designed before you even officially start your business if you can, so you have exposure from the start. Your website and social media pages should look consistent with your image. Remember you can always outsource design work by hiring professionals through freelancing sites. And don’t forget to add your logo to little things like business cards, e-mail signatures, flyers, and even your invoices. With Invoice2go, I created my own custom template and added my stylish touch so even invoices look fabulous when they arrive in my clients’ inboxes.
Running a small business doesn’t have to induce a migraine. By using just a few simple tech tools, you can have an office anywhere and be your own boss while maintaining a professional image. Don’t be afraid to embrace the power of technology.
Good luck!
Taly Waisberg.
About Taly Waisberg
Taly Waisberg began her career as a makeup artist in 2004 in Chile. She quickly made a name for herself, working with the best photographers, magazines and celebrities. Among her many achievements, she was nominated for Best Makeup Artist at the 2008 Pedro Sienna Awards for the film “Casa de Remolienda.” She moved to New York City—the fashion capital of the world—in 2012, and has worked with some of the best makeup artists in the industry including Peter Philips, diane Kendal, Francois Nars and Gucci Westman. She has also worked for New York Fashion Week creating makeup looks for models in shows for Chanel, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta and Alexander Wang, just to name a few.
Follow Taly Waisberg on these social platforms. Make sure you check out her website!
www.TalyMakeupArtist.com
Connect with Taly on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Talymakeup/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/talymakeup/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/talymakeup
Much appreciation to Taly Waisberg for these great tips! They work not just for makeup artists but for freelance people and also those who travel a lot on business!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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These tools sound very helpful. I have used Hootsuite for years and love it, All these others are new to me,and I must check a few of them out for myself. Thanks.
I too was impressed with Taly’s tech/app recs. It seemed I had missed some. I love Hootsuite. I don’t know or how but it seems to be more intuitive for me personally.