So you’ve started your journey into becoming a microblading artist – congrats!
A career in permanent makeup can be very rewarding – not only are you working in a dynamic environment making people look and feel more beautiful, but you can also make a ton of money doing it!
Once you start getting a bunch of clients, that is. But how do you start? How do you get clients if you don’t have any pictures of your work? Or any work for that matter?
PMUHub helps you get your first microblading clients once you’ve obtained your certificate.
Set Up Your Social Media
Social media is the most powerful weapon of PMU artists. They’re the best way to advertise your business and show off your work, because a) they’re free and b) everyone uses them. So your first step should be setting up a Facebook page and an Instagram profile for your business, and it’s not a bad idea to start even while you’re still in training.
You won’t have any work to post, but you can let your community know you’re coming, and once you do start working, you’ll have at least some followers to show your work to.
Image source: Unsplash
Look for an Apprenticeship
In some states, you have to do a certain number of hours working under an experienced artist.
But even if your state doesn’t require this, you can reach out to local artists and see if they’d take you in. Many artists with established salons offer apprenticeships, but there’s a catch – they charge for it and it’s not cheap.
Nevertheless, if you have some extra cash to invest in starting your career, an apprenticeship is definitely worth it.
Why?
- You’ll get sample pictures of your work.
- You’ll gain experience and feel more confident.
- You’ll experience all aspects of the job without going into it all by yourself.
- You’ll get insider info and further guidance from a working professional.
Use Your Class Model Pictures If You Have Any
If you chose well and your training course featured working on a model, we hope you took pictures!
Quality courses allow you to work on a model with the guidance of your instructor, and although you had some help, it’s still your work and you have the right to advertise it as such.
People have trouble trusting you to tattoo their face without seeing any samples of your work. Which is understandable. So if you provide them with anything at all, gaining their trust will be much easier.
Image source: Pexels
Post About Your Services in Local Facebook Groups
Use your free resources to the max.
You have to let people know you’re available, and a great trick for reaching your local community is joining Facebook groups. A favorite among PMU artists are mommy groups – that’s where a great portion of your potential clientele are.
Make sure you’re available for any questions and be honest – don’t try to hide the fact that you’re new, but do refer back to the training you’ve had.
Craigslist is another free option.
Do A Few Clients for Free
The frustrating truth is, you’ll probably have to do a few clients for free. You may not get cash, but you’ll get before and after pictures, and that’s more valuable than any cheque when you’re starting out.
So, be prepared for some free labor. However, make sure you do it right.
When you’re advertising your free services, you have to clearly state that the number of slots is limited. Highlight this as much as possible, and clarify that this is a one-time thing and that after you do 5 or 10 clients for free, you will start charging.
Otherwise, future clients will demand free services and put you in an awkward position. So be very clear with your wording.
Super important – make sure you ask every client you do for online reviews. You can even offer them some incentives, like a discount when they come in for their annual touch up. The same goes for referrals, but online reviews are your priority at this point.
Use Your Contacts
Your friends and family members might be willing to be your first clients!
This is sort of a double-edged sword, though. If your work doesn’t turn out that great, it could potentially harm the relationship. So make sure to set realistic expectations and explain the risks involved.
Strangers might be safer.
Then, Set a Realistic Price
Now you’ve done several pairs of brows for free and have some sort of portfolio, you can start charging.
But you have to be realistic. You can’t expect people to pay $600 for your services just yet – you’re still a beginner, although we’re sure your work is great.
A good strategy at this point is to determine what price you’d like to charge within 6 months, and start charging half of that. Advertise this as a special promo, so that you avoid negative feedback once you raise the price.
Research what other artists in the area charge, and work out a price that won’t undervalue your work, while covering the expenses of rent and supplies.
The starting-out rate for most PMU artists is $150 – $250.
Once you notice the interest for your services is growing, gradually raise your prices.
Image source: Unsplash
Important!
No matter how much you practice on latex or pig skin or the hidden crevices of your own body, the experience of working on a client is a whole other story. You may be super-confident in your work, and chances are you’ll do great, but the possibility of your first pair of brows not turning out as fab as you’d expect is still there.
That’s why you should do your first clients with a very light hand. Apply less pressure than you’re supposed to and don’t go too deep. That way, you won’t have trouble fixing any possible imperfections at the touch up.
Once your first clients do show up for their touch up, you’ll have 6-8 weeks of experience under your belt and you can go darker and bolder.
Good luck!
Cover image source: Freepik
