For the longest time, I wanted be one of those cool girls who made YouTube videos. I am usually more action oriented than this but there was something about making YouTube videos that kept making me saying “One day….”.  After several years of having this on my to do list, I got the push that made me forget about the fear. You may be thinking, what could be so scary about it? For me, I was really stuck on the idea that I didn’t know how to film, edit and upload a video. When I saw a contest that L’Oreal put on through YouTube, I was not about to miss the opportunity to put my name in the hat.

When I found out about the contest, there was one week left until the deadline. I had just gotten a MacBook Pro and I didn’t know how to use it very well, but I learned quickly. I used my laptop to film myself doing the Red Carpet makeup tutorial for the L’Oreal contest. Then came the tricky part of editing it to fit into the under 4-minute time limit and learning how to do the voiceover to tell people what I was doing in the video. I think that the short time line made me forget that I was also a little nervous about looking silly. As it turns out, people want to see you having fun and being yourself. I was so overwhelmed but I really wanted to use the contest and this deadline to push myself to make my first video. Since then, I have learned some more tricks and I’ve gotten a little better. I am still learning but it has been so fun.

It is a challenge to come up with new content, but it is fun.  I really enjoy hair styling videos, like this one on how to do a sock bun or how I style my hair with hot rollers. Quick makeup tips are fun too, like this one on how I layer eyeliner for long-lasting results. I really get excited to share when I find awesome tools like this one, and people love to hear about a stylist’s favorite products.

What l love about YouTube is that is an incredible platform for establishing yourself as an expert. I add my videos to my blog. My readers love to see me in action and it has really expanded my followers. You can also Pin your videos to Pinterest. I have a board that is just for my vlogs. Pinterest has been a great resource for growing my audience.  Every time you upload a video to YouTube, that is posted to Twitter. You can also share your pins, if you are pinning your videos on Pinterest, on Facebook and Twitter. So that one video gives you a great deal of exposure on many social media outlets and can help you connect with a wider audience. You have been working so hard to build your skills as a stylist, now get out there and show them off!

I want to share this with you for several reasons. The first is that if I can do it, anyone can do it! Seriously, I feel so silly now after waiting so long, how easy it was once I decided to just do it. Video is a really easy to use DIY outlet for showing the world your skills. What better way to establish yourself as an expert than to show people how to do something. People love to see people, like you, who are talented and passionate about their skills. So get out there and show them what you’ve got.

Social media is a great (and FREE way) to show off your skills and build your business. With all social media, consistency is key. I challenge you to set a goal for yourself. If you are utilizing YouTube, set a goal to do one new video each week or month. If video isn’t your thing, you can also use Instagram to your advantage. Challenge yourself to post a daily look of the day or favorite product shot. Follow other stylists and makeup artists to stay inspired. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

From a long line of women in the beauty industry (3 aunts and 3 cousins are stylists), Emily Huspeth grew up in a beauty shop in central Louisiana. Emily is also addicted to education and learning everything she possibly can. While studying Public Relations and Business  at Louisiana State University, Emily worked at an Aveda Salon in the mall. Immediately after graduating, she enrolled at Aveda Institute to study cosmetology. With cosmetology license in hand, Emily ran to the West Coast to work as an apprentice in a Santa Monica salon with some of the best stylists in Los Angeles and became an official stylist herself. From there Emily started working as a freelance artist, doing hair and makeup for special events and commercial film and print advertising. Emily has created a program to help others who are working to build a profitable career as a freelance artist. View Emily’s videos on YouTube or visit her site, EmilyHudspeth.com.

Pinterest is more than just fun and games. It can be a valuable business building tool for many, including those in the beauty industry. If beauty school students get creative, they can use Pinterest boards to market and create interest in their own work, as well as gain inspiration from others.

Create a Pinterest Portfolio

Create a board with pictures of your own work. If you do more than one thing, such as hair, nails, and makeup, make a board for each. The easiest way to do this is to post the pictures on your own website and then pin them. That way each picture links back to your website with information on how to contact you. You can even divide hair into up-dos, short, long, etc. or divide nails boards into classic and artistic. Maybe even have a board for formal styles, or unique styles. The sky really is the limit here.

Create an Inspiration Board

Follow other pinners in the same profession, and pin their work that you love for your own inspiration. Keep track of styles and techniques you want to learn and those you want to remember for specific clients. This is a great way to use Pintrest to help expand your abilities.

Networking

Follow clients and Pinterest could become an excellent networking tool. It is now the third largest social media site and 70% of the users are women. Through the web of pins friends and followers of your client’s pins will find your boards, including your portfolio of your best work, and potential new clients are born.

Social media is the wave of the future when it comes to marketing, and perhaps no one site has grown so fast as Pinterest. It can be a colossal time waster if not used in moderation, but used properly it can be one of the strongest tools in your marketing tool belt. Grow your business, attract new clients, and increase your skill set all with the help of this social media phenomenon. One last note to help grow your Pinterest marketing campaign is to be sure to make a note on your website for all to see encouraging visitors to pin work they like. This helps ensure that your portfolio will grow and spread through other’s boards faster, thus increasing your reach.

Also, feel free to add us on Pinterest here.