TAKE THE MEETING
by Crystal Wright

I had an opportunity to offer a makeup & hair stylist a gig in New Orleans to one of my former Packaging Your Portfolio workshop students. The job was through an agent friend of mine. After posting the job up in my private online MeetUp Group for one of my students to take advantage of, I received several responses requesting answers to questions about details that didn't matter until' the job had been awarded. The ill timed responses make me think of a phrase that is used often in corporate America,––“Take the Meeting”.

You may already have a great job, but if someone calls and wants to interview you for another great position––“Take the Meeting”, even if you may not want the job. Don't sweat the details: How much does it pay? When does it start? What will be my title? Get in front of the people who are hiring. Let them see you face to face. Press the flesh. Break bread.

In the case of freelance makeup artists, hair stylists and fashion stylists, it means that if someone calls you about a gig, wants to see your book, or requests a link to your website, a comp card, or a quick face to face, don't sweat the small stuff––“Take the Meeting”. Send the link. Mail the card. Ask about the details later, after the potential client has had a chance to look at your work, and decide if he/she even wants to offer you the job.

Answers to questions about day rate, times, days, or travel are incidental at the “Can you send me a link to your site” stage. This is an opportunity to get YOUR work in front of a decision-maker––Take it!

The job may be right for you––or it may not. The job may take place on a day that you are available––it may not. The client may have money––they may not. The fact that you received an opportunity to place your work in front of a decision-maker who even if he/she may not be able to use you today, may remember you, and your work for a gig tomorrow, is worth sending over the link.

It never hurts for someone new to see your work, know what you do, and get a feel for what you might be like to work with. Go for it! Take the Meeting.

Crystal Wright is Author of stylists bible, The Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide.
She teaches a highly regarded workshop, titled Packaging Your Portfolio: Marketing Yourself as a Freelance Makeup, Hair or Fashion Stylist that focuses on self-promotion, portfolio building, negotiating, and branding for the freelance makeup, hair, fashion stylist and manicurist who works in print, video, film and TV. Currently she is traveling throughout the USA with Mizani Hair Care, a L'Oreal owned company teaching Marketing and Portfolio Building to salon stylists in addition to her regular schedule. Visit her online at www.CrystalWrightLive.com.