Hire a PR for marketing my business?

Hello!

I am NOT good at marketing myself. Have tried it for years. It is just not my thing.
Although people praise my work at gigs, festivals and fairs....I fail to get more gigs.


Have you ever hired someone to do marketing for you? Not online....but going out to schools, churches, stores, companies, etc.
I like working for myself...so no agents....although I do work through agents at times.
My hubby would have been a good choice....minus all that attitude...lol!

I have read all of the material out there that could help with marketing my business. It just does not work for me....coz I would rather hide inside my home than go out there and look fr gigs...  

Any advice appreciated!

Dear Joshi:
I was hoping that people would drop by my house, and they would pay me a lot of money to have their faces painted.
Tumbleweeds blew through my face painty dream.

I have designated Monday as "Cold Call Monday". I challenged myself to make five contacts.... in any way possible. I slog through the local convention centre listings and contact vendors to see if they would like body painting of their logo. I get a response maybe once every two weeks (which means I should 'up' my game and make ten contacts every Monday). I have gotten a body painting job for a chiropractor's convention. I painted muscles and tendons and bones on a male model's back. I painted pole dancers for a competition.
I go back through my previous years invoices to see if they would like to book me, as it is 'that time of year'.

I hate that Marketing thing.

I must do the Marketing thing.

I do not feel I make enough to pay a PR person.

Create your Press Kit, and have it ready to go, Joshi. (I am still working on mine). Make sure you have your business cards on you at all times.
You are one of THE most talented artists I have ever seen, and it is a shame that the world does not know about you. Shout your achievements to the world, or, at least your corner of Atlanta!

I approach bowling alleys, malls, doctor's offices, Grand Openings of any business. I network with other painters, and I pass work along to them, and they pass work along to me.

It has been really fulfilling having a fantastic agent, who gets some really plum jobs for me. Everything is arranged and I just walk into the job. I love that.

This is everything you do not want to hear.
I wish that a PR person would do this for me.
No PR person knows what I can, and cannot do, better than myself.
We have to believe in ourselves, in order to do our job. I believe in you. You are awesome! I deeply admire your art. You have your own style to your henna, and your line work is impeccable for face painting.

Try telling the world, one business at a time, every day for a week, how much they need your professional services. it gets easier.

I tried the hanging around in my pj's, waiting for clients to come to me. It does not work, and, I wore out my pj's.

xoxoxo

hmmm....I've changed my mind.
What I really need is to hire somebody to kick my lazy butt out of the house...

Seriously....I remember we have had this conversation before too Lisa. It feels like I am like a dog's tail...that would never be straight.

I am going to try this time. I am. I will.

I am going to write letters...like Shawna D suggests. Make copies and give it along with my rack card for advertising.

Feel much better now that I have a plan!

here are some posts from shannon fennell's blog, from her book (links to more sections at bottom of each post) -

https://shannonfennell.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/business-tips-for-face-painters-body-artists-and-make-up-artists-2-marketing-your-services/

https://shannonfennell.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/business-tips-for-face-painters-body-artists-and-make-up-artists-9-soliciting-work/

https://shannonfennell.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/business-tips-for-face-painters-body-artists-and-make-up-artists-4-target-markets/

https://shannonfennell.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/business-tips-for-face-painters-body-artists-and-make-up-artists-5-advertising/

I love to read your posts fesspenter