From Freelance to Booking Celebrity Clients with Makeup Artist to the Stars, Harriet Hadfield

PodcastMarketing

Jan 8

Episode 811: Show Notes

If you are looking for inspiration for how you can go from small-town to the big leagues, this is the episode for you! Today we are joined by celebrity makeup artist, Harriet Hadfield, affectionately known as “Harry.” While working with celebrities such as Doja Cat, Naomi Watts, and Olivia Rodrigo, Harry has made it her mission to empower creative freelancers to step into the role of CEO. Today we are digging into how she got all of her clients as a freelancer while showing up in the world the way she wants to, as a neurodivergent creative.

Harry always wanted to be the kid who did everything and knew that she wanted to be a makeup artist at a very young age when she went ‘all in’ on honing her craft. In this episode, we hear all about how she started training in makeup and handled being the black sheep of the family as so many creatives are. We dive into Harry’s advice for creatives starting a personal brand, how to find your niche, how to use social media to your advantage, and so much more!

Listen on your favorite podcast player

Listen to the Strategy Hour Podcast on Spotify

Listen to the Strategy Hour Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Listen to the Strategy Hour Podcast on Google Podcasts

Making Yourself Visible as A Creative Starting Out Today

Harry may have moved to London to kickstart her career, but that kind of drastic move is not necessary since the wondrous internet has changed everything. I asked Harry her recommendations to artists starting their career in today’s day-in-age and she stressed the importance of being visible online! She wants you to ask yourself where social media can be useful to you. People are already looking for you so make sure you are showing off in the way you need to. In the world of creativity, clients also don’t necessarily care about your qualifications but rather want to see what you can do. So make sure to use a lot of visuals, showing off both your work and yourself! She encourages you to utilize some sort of online tool to make sure people can find you and one that highlights why potential clients should book you.

Harry’s ‘One Image’ Concept

Harry believes that every single creative has one image, video, or piece of evidence as a surefire way to bring in an income for you. It is often something you feel very aligned with and is also something your clients tend to like a lot. Harry wants you to find what that is and then make more of it! Can you identify what one image has gotten you work already? It's also crucial to know where to find these high-profile clients and understand how to pitch based on your 'one image' without an agent because nowadays, it isn't necessary. If you want to make a pivotal step in your career, you need to let go of all the narratives of what you think success looks like and the belief that you have to have an agent or a massive following! What's truly important is your community and the reason people choose you over anyone else.

Showing Up as If You Have Already Achieved Your Dream

Using her YouTube channel, Harry focused on building a brand around herself as a makeup artist after she had discovered her ‘one image’. With social media, people can get themselves through doors that were previously closed off to them and Harry capitalized on just that! She acted as if she was already an established makeup artist. She wants you to believe that the things you want are a given, written in the stars, and are definitely going to happen. That gives you a huge advantage in terms of how people see you. She wants you to believe in what you’re selling and never downplay your success. Creatives are ‘the original’ entrepreneurs because you have to go out there and get a booking and when you remember that, you are unstoppable!

Choosing One Social Media Platform to Focus On

I asked Harry what method she finds works well for her to close deals with clients and she told me that creatives should choose one platform to reduce the pressure of being on every single social media platform. She wants you to focus on curating your audience on that one platform and create a tight-knit community by thinking about what would be helpful for your audience and making content around that. She manages to make far more bookings on Instagram than from her agent through this method! By showing up as if she was already successful, she gained the trust she needed from her audience to create an incredible support system for herself. She even encourages creatives to use content they already have to get themselves in front of the right people.

The One Thing You Need to Know About Being a Creative, Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

There is a rhetoric about how people should be productive but for people who identify as neurodivergent, finding the way they work best is imperative. As someone who has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and OCD, Harry wants you to embrace what works for you and let go of any shame surrounding societal norms and not fitting into them. Nervous system work and leaning into her energy type help Harry embrace being an entrepreneur. She wants you to figure out how you want to show up in your life and have compassion for yourself, especially when you are neurodivergent. Be proud of yourself and be grateful for how far you’ve come given your limitations. Harry and I also want you to realize that you may not be as successful as you are without your neurodivergence, so embrace both the good and the bad!

Quote This

No one can be you! Being a creative is a superpower! —Harriet Hadfield

Highlights

Making Yourself Visible as A Creative Starting Out Today [0:10:48]
Harry’s ‘One Image’ Concept [0:14:35]
Showing Up as If You Have Already Achieved Your Dream [0:21:29]
Choosing One Social Media Platform to Focus On [0:27:48]
The One Thing You Need to Know About Being a Creative, Neurodivergent Entrepreneur [0:34:05]

OUR GUEST:

Harriet Hadfield

Website | Instagram

Harriet Hadfield, CEO of Freelance with Freedom, is a seasoned celebrity makeup artist with over 15 years of experience. Recognizing the challenges faced by creative freelancers, she is on a mission to dispel the "starving artist" myth and empower freelancers to take on CEO roles, land celebrity clients, and secure global brands independently. Harriet, co-creator of the award-winning beauty podcast 'Full Coverage' and 'Harry Makes It Up' YouTube channel, launched 'Freelance With Freedom' in 2021. Through her coaching programs, she has scaled her own makeup artist business and established a successful online coaching venture during the pandemic, helping freelancers worldwide double their bookings and seize life-changing opportunities. Harriet's approach emphasizes collaboration over competition in the digital age, believing there's room for everyone to succeed.