The Do’s and Don’ts of Instagram for MUAs

Last month I spent a whirlwind four days meeting with a number of MUAs in Los Angeles. Over green juices, and watermelon cocktails, we dug into the meat of what it takes to be successful as a MUA today. And Instagram kept coming up. As your digital portfolio, mini website, and direct line of communication through DMs, it truly is a platform every MUA should be using to help showcase and support their career. Below are some of the key takeaways from our chats. 

Do:

• Use it as your digital portfolio and post all of your work there. Think of it as a tool to show photographers, producers, brides, and brands what you can do so they’ll be encouraged to book you.

• Give a #beautybreakdown and list all the products you used to achieve the look featured. Use a script to share products and earn a commission when your audience clicks through to purchase them.

• Use LinkTree to attach a link to each image, and make that link a #beautyscript to make it that much easier to shop.

• Reply to every comment and DM. Nurture your audience and their engagement with you. Set a regular time in your calendar where you scan for new activity and respond.

• Tag brands you use and want to work with. Over time they will notice you and it could open up a collaboration or working relationship.

Don’t:

• Post other people’s work. Your feed should be a representation of you and you work, like a snap shot of what you bring to the table.

• Use it as your inspiration board. Instead, use Pinterest for that. Instagram is a place to show off your work and is front facing for brands and clients to see.

• Underestimate the value of building an audience. With over 10k followers you become an influencer in your own right and many brands and clients see that as validation of your credentials and skills.