Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1547346
Content That Clicks Given Laura Gunter's extensive experience in directing editorial photo shoots for the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) and through her work with Ulta Beauty's Artist Collective, she knows a thing or two about creating content. Following are her top tips: • Give yourself enough time. "The top complaint I hear about social media is that there's no time. If you have the opportunity to book a guest or model once a month for content, this is the ideal solution. That way you can create a lot of content with one model." • Plan videos in advance. "Make sure you write out a list of all the shots you want to take. That way you can create a bunch of content in one day; not just videos of the services but also B-roll content of mixing, product shots, and shots of yourself working." • It's OK to repeat yourself. "People don't always see your content the first time, so it's OK to repost old content if it's still valuable and relevant!" • Get your client's permission. "I sometimes have guests appear in my content (instead of models), but only with their express permission. I have a form for them to sign. Having your guest tag you in videos is a great way to get new clients too. So I always make sure to give the guests the videos if they want them." color theory and design theory before I would be ready for that sort of education. So that led me to cosmetology schools—if I wanted to be grounded in foundation, then I needed to go back to the foundations. I did an apprenticeship through the Aveda Institute and became an educator through them. I had a great educator program that took me through all the basics of cutting, coloring, styling, then layered in facilitation and how to share information with adult students. Adult education is very different from education when we're kids in school. at's a huge part of what has helped me today as a stylist because I feel very grounded foundationally. IS: And now you're part of Ulta Beauty's Artist Collective. LG: It has been a huge influence on my career, and I don't think I would be where I am today if it wasn't for the opportunities I've had on this team. Being exposed to artists like Sonya Dove and Danielle Keasling has been hugely influential. Sonya Dove was the first hair artist I knew the name of besides Vidal Sassoon. Meeting her was like meeting a celebrity for the first time. I have a core memory of her handing me bobby pins at a hair show. And I was like, "I can't believe this is real life. Sonya Dove is handing me bobby pins right now." (And now I can send her a text message if I have a question about something!) I've learned from those mentors and grown with them in a space where we are peers. We have immense trust with one another because we've worked together for so long. IS: How do you balance the challenges of being an employee for a large company and executing your own artistry? LG: With every salon situation, there are always checks and balances, pros and cons. But for me, the biggest challenge I had when I was in a private salon setting was that I needed more personal accountability and boundaries. 38 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 7 Issue 2