This post is for those who are running their business as a business, and not a hobby doing makeup or hair “just for fun”. If you are a hobbyist, that’s your choice; nothing wrong with that. I’m writing this for those aspiring to elevate their business by way of raising the standard of their portfolio.
1. GET A QUALITY WEBSITE.
Social media is important, but it’s no substitute for a professional portfolio. Being taken seriously for jobs begins with a professional website.
You’re competing with others who have strong sites, and you need to have yours together to be considered for jobs, instead of being passed over for the many opportunities you express interest in. Submitting your Facebook or Instagram page is a start, but not always acceptable by the decision-maker.
It’s ok to start there; we all start somewhere, and work our way up. Just don’t stay there and wonder if you need to drop your rates to be competitive. Don’t drop your rates down, lift your portfolio up!
2. GET YOUR OWN DOMAIN INSTEAD OF THE FREE WEBSITE VERSION.
You need to look invested in your career if you want others to invest in you, and be taken seriously, as a working artist.
Powered by “Webcompany” or similar statements in your site’s footer look amateur, and are off-putting to decision-makers; especially photographers, talent agencies and artistic directors. Your domain “kittyhenderson.webcompany.com” doesn’t look as professional as your own name followed by the dot com, i.e. “kittyhenderson.com”.
3. HAVE PROFESSIONAL IMAGES ON YOUR WEBSITE.
Cell phone pictures and behind-the-scenes pics are perfect for social media, although your images still need to have a certain level of quality to keep you standing out among the crowd in your market. Your website needs to say professional all the way, and that only happens when you have professional images in your port.
Don’t feel overwhelmed; a small portfolio with only a handful of good images is so much better than a port with 2 dozen photos of mediocre and low quality.
Read the full article HERE.
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