EP58 Stop Waiting for January: How to Plan Your Best Year During the Slow Season
If you're waiting until January to start planning your next year, you're already behind.
December isn't downtime, it's when pro MUAs lay the groundwork while everyone else promises to "start fresh" in the new year.
In this episode, I'm breaking down why the quiet season is your biggest competitive advantage and how to use it strategically.
The Planning Mindset Shift
For years, I stayed stuck because I was reactive instead of intentional. When you have a clear goal, you stop reacting and start directing your business. While you're getting organized in January, other artists who planned in December are already executing.
Three Focus Areas for 2026
Your portfolio is your currency. Audit your book and ask: Does this represent the work I want to be doing? Treat creative shoots as career-building days, not just practice. Pay attention to the details that make clients say "this person is working at my level."
Your network opens doors you can't see yet. Think about who you want to stay connected with heading into 2026 and find low-pressure ways to check in.
A lot of your business needs attention now. Clean your kit, update your website and Instagram, review your pricing, and audit your year. Which jobs energized you and which drained you? Professionals rebuild in the off-season.
Your 2026 Action Plan
Create a mood board about the work you want to be doing - the style, the clients, the energy. Then ask: What needs to happen between now and next November for this to become reality? Put time in your calendar right now to think about what would make 2026 a success. Pick one thing you can do this month to move toward that.
Planning isn't about predicting the future, it's about preparing for it. Your dream career doesn't pop out of thin air ... it starts with intention.
Ready to plan your 2026 with support? Join the Artist to Artist membership for guidance, feedback, and accountability. Seven-day free trial, $20 CAD/month.
https://www.artist2artist.co/offers/Cji3RZiC/checkout
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EP57 The Networking Long Game No One Talks About
If you've been sending DMs to photographers and vendors and getting nothing back, this episode is going to change how you think about networking forever.
Most makeup artists give up after their first ten messages go unanswered. They assume networking doesn't work, or that they're doing something wrong, or that nobody wants to work with them. But the truth is, they're just playing the short game when they need to be playing the long game.
In this episode, I'm sharing my biggest networking failures from when I was starting out - including the years I wasted reaching out to people who were completely out of my league and wondering why I wasn't getting responses. I'll walk you through why networking takes a minimum of 18 months to pay off, why your first 20 networking attempts are literally just practice, and how the photographers I work with now are people I met five, seven, even ten years ago.
You'll learn the three networking mistakes I see new artists make every single day, what I wish someone had told me ten years ago about building industry relationships, and why the compound effect of staying in touch imperfectly is more powerful than any complicated networking system.
If you're ready to stop feeling like networking is pointless and start building relationships that actually lead to bookings, this episode will give you the perspective shift you need. And if you want step-by-step guidance on how to do this strategically, join us inside the Artist to Artist membership this month. We're focusing entirely on networking and career growth - teaching you who to reach out to, what to say, how to stay in touch, and how to turn casual connections into consistent paid work.
Start your free trial at https://www.artist2artist.co/offers/Cji3RZiC/checkout
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EP56 How to Work Fast Without Compromising Your Standards
Speed is a non-negotiable in this industry, but it doesn't mean sacrificing quality or cutting corners on hygiene. In this episode, I break down the myths self-taught and new makeup artists believe about working fast, share the moment I realized speed was actually a skill, and walk through the systems that let you work efficiently without ever putting client safety at risk.
In this episode, you'll learn why timelines get shorter as you gain experience (and how to prepare for that reality), the three biggest myths holding new artists back from working efficiently, the hygiene gap in our industry and how to build systems that keep you both fast and safe, plus the practical product choices and workflow shifts that help professional makeup artists maintain high standards under pressure.
Resources Mentioned: Artist to Artist Membership - Try it free for 7 days: https://www.artist2artist.co/offers/Cji3RZiC/checkout
October theme: Speed & On-the-Job Workflow
Monthly challenge: The 30/30 Speed Drill
Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist2artist.co/
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EP55 Why Your Kit Setup Is Sabotaging Your Speed
You're not slow because your hands aren't moving fast enough, you're slow because your setup might be working against you. In this episode, I share the shift that changed everything for me on set: stopping the comparison trance and finally asking for what I needed to be comfortable and efficient.
We'll talk about why most new artists stay uncomfortable (and how to break that pattern), the non-negotiables of a pro setup, and the one thing you can reorganize today that will make your next job feel completely different.
In this episode, you'll learn why new artists stay trapped in an "outward-focused setup" on set and how to snap out of it, the real cost of a chaotic station, what pros do differently with space, kit layout, and garbage management, the office analogy that will change how you think about setting up, and one immediate action you can take today to work faster tomorrow.
Resources Mentioned:
Artist to Artist Membership – Try it free for 7 days
October theme: Speed & On-the-Job Workflow
Monthly challenge: The 3x30 Speed Drill Connect:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/artist2artist.co/
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EP54 The Client Communication Mistakes That Cost You Bookings
Your client isn't just working with you - they're comparing your professionalism to every other service provider they hire. If your communication doesn't meet industry standards, you look amateur by comparison.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the communication mistakes that are costing you bookings and probably more money than you realize.
The 5 Major Communication Mistakes:
1. Poor quality communication - casual texts instead of professional correspondence, spelling errors, too many emojis, improper greetings
2. No clear booking policies or procedures - winging it instead of having professional systems in place
3. Timing issues - asking for important information too late, communicating changes last minute, no follow-through on bookings
4. Not setting expectations upfront - failing to communicate boundaries, policies, what's included, cancellation terms
5. Poor communication during and after jobs - looking disorganized, not following up professionally, disappearing after the work is done
The Reality Check:
You're not competing just against other makeup artists - you're being measured against the professional standard clients experience with photographers, venues, caterers, and other service providers. When your communication falls short, it signals immaturity and inexperience.
The Solution:
Start communicating like the professional you want to be seen as. Develop systems, set clear expectations, follow through consistently, and treat every interaction as an opportunity to build your reputation.
This Month in the Artist to Artist Membership:
We're covering the client management systems that actually work - professional communication templates, booking procedures that build confidence, and how to handle every stage of the client relationship like a true professional.
Ready to stop losing bookings to communication mistakes?
Join the Artist to Artist Membership: https://www.artist2artist.co/
7-day free trial available
The Artist to Artist Podcast is for makeup artists in the first five years of their careers who want clear, practical advice on building a sustainable business. Hosted by Angie, a full-time freelance makeup artist and educator, this podcast covers essential skills, kit-building strategies, client communication, social media, and the realities of working in the industry. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your skills, you’ll get straightforward insights to help you work smarter, book more clients, and grow with confidence.
New episodes every week. Real talk from one working artist to another.
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