Rate Negotiation

As a Freelance Artist it is very important that you understand how to run your business like a business. First you need to know how to market yourself. After you get booked on a job you must know how to negotiate rates, invoice, and get paid in a timely fashion.


Let's start by talking about rate negotiation. Rates can widely vary depending upon:

• The project
• The medium you are working in (print, commercial, celebrity, film, music,
video,ect.)
• The amount of people you are taking care of (how much work you have to do)
• The level of your career (are you fresh out of school or Francesca Tolot)
• The amount of hours (full day or half day
• Whether you are doing special effects, makeup, hair, or both makeup and hair

Things that can effect the range in pay are: the level of the artist and their reputation in the industry, celebrity requests, special requests or even who the payment is coming from all are factors in how the rate is determined.

Once you book have negotiated the rate and booked the job it’s important for you to send over a confirmation agreement. A confirmation agreement will clearly state the terms agreed upon in the negotiation process. You will have clarification on:

• Rate
• Number of talent you will be working with
• Kit fee
• Turn around time for payment
• Payment terms based on the amount of hours (i.e. – what the fee is if you go
turn into overtime)
• Travel expenses (if applicable)
• Assistant Rate (if needed)
• Whether you are hired for Makeup, Hair, or both
• Job number and a signature from the person who hired you
• A cancellation clause


It is imperative to have a confirmation agreement in place so that you are not taken advantage of. You must have something in writing in order to have any sort of legal recourse if you are not paid on time, reimbursed expenses, or paid at all.

In the State of California, a verbal agreement in not legally binding. You must put everything in writing!

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