Best forms of advertising for bridal makeup and also websites

[blush09]

i am still building up my portfolio and makeup kit - im not yet able to afford a "swish" looking web site, so thinking about putting a freeweb site together for my first year of trading .. just a little worried it wont look professional enough
just wondered if anyone could recommend any reasonable web site designers who know their "stuff" ie. how to get listed with all the various search engines etc ..
also, what are the best forms of advertising for makeup services?
i was thinking about approaching local hairdressers to see if they would kindly give out my business cards
also signing up to as many free internet business directories as possible
any advice re the above would be appreciated
many thanks
blush09

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Recently, several geeks have signed up to a Vista Print website which seems to be very reasonably priced and after looking at a couple, look like excellent value for money. Do a search under Vista Print and have a read.

Personally, I would not opt for a freewebs website. It is just my own opinion so I don't in any way mean to offend anybody with one:hug:, but I get irritated by the adverts and and feel this gives the website an unprofessional look. Although I realize that for many peeps this is the only option. Many of us don't have the cash to splash out on everything we want.

I have had to build my make-up business slowly and excellent quality cosmetics are pricey! Advertising with hair dressing and nail salons is a good start. You can also avertise with beauty salons which don't offer make-up already. Get a free Yellow Pages and/or Yell.com listing and another idea is to look into leaving price menues with hotels which hold wedding receptions, provided their in house salon does not offer make-up.

 

[blush09]

hi mrs clooney
thank you for your great advice .. i have plenty of wedding venues in my locality so thats a good idea
i am planning to launch the business in time for the autumn wedding fairs etc, as im still building up my portfolio
whilst still "practicing" im still using my training makeup kit and adding to it bit by bit with mac, chanel, bobbi etc ..
can i ask at what point you went all out and invested in a full kit of makeup? i hope to get a bookings for trials within the 6-9 mths, should i just use what i have and spend my hard earned cash once i have my first enquiry for a trial?
many thanks
blush09

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

i am planning to launch the business in time for the autumn wedding fairs etc, as im still building up my portfolio
whilst still "practicing" im still using my training makeup kit and adding to it bit by bit with mac, chanel, bobbi etc ..
can i ask at what point you went all out and invested in a full kit of makeup?
blush09

Are you planning to advertise at Wedding Fairs? Personally I would not bother as they are hugely expensive and I am not convinced you get the money back in terms of business.

Whilst you are practising, it is okay to use your training make-up, but start using your pro make-up ASAP so that you can become more familiar with it. The photographic results in your portfolio will be huge.

Yup, you are on the right track with your cosmetics choices of MAC, Chanel, Bobbi Brown etc...... I also highly recommend Laura Mercier, Clarins, Clinique and Yves St. Laurent Primer and Touch Eclat.

I don't have what I consider a full kit yet :green:. I just keep building.

 

[Ruth Mills]

I like to think that I know my stuff, and am probably far too cheap for my own good when it comes to designing websites lol...