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Tania D. Russell...

Tania D. Russell is a career media makeup artist of 25 years and counting with a career that has run the gamut from early hip hop videos to print advertising. Her work has appeared in magazines such as Elle Sweden and Runners’ World, on TV shows for clients such as BET, MTV, and HGTV, and for more commercial fashion and beauty clients than she can remember.

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makeup to go blog tania d Russell makeup educator Los Angeles San Francisco

makeuptogoblog

I recently saw a post that got me thinking about h

I recently saw a post that got me thinking about how artists sometimes struggle when they transition from private clients to media work - which makes total sense because nobody really teaches you this stuff!�� Well, actually, I do ;-)

And I can see how the rules of engagement of working with media clients might trip you up if that hasn’t been your bag, so let's clear some things up for ya:

PRIVATE CLIENTS = YOUR CHAIR, YOUR RULES
Straightforward. You’re running your own business, so you call the shots.

MEDIA CLIENTS = THEIR DIME, KINDA THEIR RULES - Less straighforward. Understand you're being 𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 as an independent contractor, providing a service to the end client. Yes, there are things you absolutely can and should negotiate, but the dynamic is different.

PAYMENT TIMING IS EVERYTHING - Private clients? PLEASE get payment upfront. Media clients? That will almost never happen. Now - different jobs pay in different ways - production jobs may have you on payroll, agency booked jobs the client pays the agency and the agency pays you less their cut.. etc. You might be able to negotiate a faster turn around time in some instances, however the reality of the reality is trying to demand payment upfront on a media job is going to raise eyebrows.

BOOKING SYSTEMS VS CONTRACTS- Your private clients might book through whatever method you prefer. Booking with media clients needs detail - preferably a contract - that outlines 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. Trust me - you want this. The person who contacted you is likely not the same person who will be paying you. A paper trail brings the Clarity needed to ensure the payment process goes smoothly.

These aren't better or worse ways of doing business - they're just different systems for different types of work. 👍🏾

If you're ready to level up your media client game, comment AGREEMENTS below and I'll send you a Sample Agreement and info about my upcoming Confirmation Agreements 2.0 release - plus get you’ll be on my list for all the insider knowledge that'll help you navigate these career pivots like a pro.
#makeuptogoblog #mediamakeupartists #confirmationagreements

Hitting "send" just now made my heart race on the

Hitting "send" just now made my heart race on the real.

You know that feeling when you're about to do something that could either move your career forward or blow up in your face? That's what I've been working on these days.

At 55, with decades in this industry and a solid client history, you'd think the hard stuff would get easier. Plot twist: it does not.

I'm still pushing myself to do the things I hate - cold calls, networking events where I know nobody, sending proposals and counter-proposals that might get rejected.

But the great @mariettacn Marietta Carter-Narcisse taught me many years ago: "To make the deal, you can't be afraid to lose the deal." Nerve-wracking? Yep. But also empowering.

Here's what I keep reminding myself (and what I tell my students): if you want something different, you have to DO something different. When I was starting out, my drive to ditch the safety job and go full-time pushed me through every uncomfortable conversation. Today that same energy still exists - I'm still ambitious, and I still have goals I'm chasing even at my big age and doing this for a long time.

The biggest thing holding most artists back isn't talent. It's putting yourself out there when your comfort zone is calling your name. It's doing the ick business stuff when all you want to do is make people beautiful (or ugly depending on what part of the biz you're in 😉)

I get it. I keep telling myself I should just ride corporate makeup into the sunset. But that's not being honest with myself about what I want. Staying comfortable might feel safe, but it won't get you where you want to go.

What's one hard thing you can do that could change everything for your career?

If you want information, support, and community in figuring out and reaching your goals, consider joining us in the Five Small Things membership. Link in Bio, or comment COMMUNITY and I'll send you the details 👍🏾

It used to be me, too. I used to think that dolin

It used to be me, too.

I used to think that doling out affiliate links was sales-y, smarmy, influencer-y (back when I thought being an "influencer" was automatically a bad thing), you name it.

Really, I was just insecure. What turned it around? Getting asked by certain clients. Hello? Recommendations is kinda part of my job.

For us makeup pros, this isn't about liking every product we ever touch or going on about the latest fad trending on social. This is about making the recommendations we were already making in ways that serve our customers hence serve ourselves as well. #winning

For me that looks like;

- Only linking my Hero products that I can recommend with my whole chest.

- Not talking about every product I ever try (which in our cases can be a lot so I don't start recommending until a product reaches Hero status).

- Keeping it relevant to my audience. There may be some related things that might fly but ya know, no one is coming to me for fashion advice, for example LOL

- Social can only do so much so I don't go on an on about it on social. YMMV but again, that's not the content my peoples are looking for from me so I don't go on and on.

- Long form, evergreen content on the other hand? Oh yeah. 👍🏾

As a "micro influencer" with around 2K followers on this platform, I've still grown active and engaged mailing lists, my blog gets a regular good amount of hits, and I have an active Substack. With little or no "push" I'm good for a few $$$ a month through my links. I'll take it! 👍🏾

Interested in a few $$$ of your own? Comment "AFFILIATE" and I'll send ya my wee guide to help you get started.

Is Affiliate Marketing of any kind part of your makeup career matrix?

#mediamakeupartists #makeuptogoblog #mtgfivesmallthings #promakeupartists

Are you ready for Q3? Let's talk strategy! The ye

Looking for an affordable way to stock your kit? A

Full elaborate makeup can be Hella fun and artisti

Full elaborate makeup can be Hella fun and artistically satisfying. But that's not what defines a makeup artist per se.

Being able to assess and deliver the needs of our client is what makes a professional makeup artist.

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All images copyright of respective photographers | Many thanks to Sonya Bowman Photography, Saryn Christina Photography, and Together in Wellness RN for BTS and Portrait Images

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