A dozen actionable tips for tattoo artists to start getting more tattoo clients today
.webp)
Ever seen those big-name artists on Instagram with their books closed for months and thought, ‘What gives?!’
Well, you’re not alone.
Even if you’re a talented artist with a stellar portfolio (which we’re sure you are), your skills alone might not be enough to get more tattoo clients and book out your waitlist. Maybe you’ve moved to a new area where you don’t have a large network. Or perhaps you're a little lost when it comes to social media and digital marketing.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro. You’ll probably need to know how to get more tattoo clients at some point — and this article is your guide. From digital to more traditional tattoo marketing strategies, we’ll go over ten effective tactics to grow your tattoo business and increase your clientele.
Key takeaways:
Already get a decent amount of word-of-mouth and referral clients? Amazing. But if you have an incomplete, half-hearted online presence, potential clients scrolling Instagram or googling 'best tattoo artists near me' won't find you.
So, what does a solid online presence for tattoo artists look like? We recommend you have a website and at least one active social media account (more on social media in the next section). When putting your website together, ask yourself what information your ideal client would need to book you. Don't force them to navigate a maze. Within seconds, they should see your style, understand your specialty, and know exactly what to do next.
Tattoo artist Kelsey Cloutier’s (a.k.a. For Good Days) website nails it. Filled with crisp, high-quality images, it instantly communicates her artistic style. She also answers real questions her clients frequently ask about healing, pain and preparation. Her booking forms are embedded directly, to easily move from curiosity to appointment.
Her website is optimized for local searches in the Toronto area, using location-based keywords strategically. (“I do cosmetic tattoos and body tattoos in Toronto”)
You probably have an Instagram account—most tattoo artists do. In fact, many artists estimate that at least 70% of their clients come directly from Instagram. But simply posting your latest designs and hoping they get noticed is the digital equivalent of tossing coins into a fountain and making a wish. You need to create content strategically, with the goal of attracting clients who genuinely appreciate your work. An engagement rate of 2% to 5% on social platforms is considered effective for reaching and attracting clients. They won't pick you because of your follower count—they'll pick you because your posts speak directly to them.
Artist Steph Love’s (a.k.a. cutebutweird) Instagram account is an excellent blueprint. She has created a cohesive brand image, that’s quirky, bold, whimsical, and sets her apart. Her bio clearly highlights her specialty, location, and booking instructions. She intentionally creates Reels using trending sounds, capitalizing on Instagram’s algorithm. Steph uses giveaways thoughtfully, and she picks hashtags intentionally—both tactics help her reach people who actually want tattoos, not just casual followers tapping "like."
Small details shape your success. A consistent visual theme and style across your social media profiles makes your work more recognizable in peoples’ feeds.
To help those interested book you directly from your social media account, optimize your bio and consider professional tattoo booking apps. Highlight your expertise, location, and availability and include a booking link, like your Venue Ink page ;) or another link-in-bio tool.
Even if you’ve got a decent online presence and reach, growing a network in your industry is a tried-and-true growth tactic for a reason. Building relationships with other artists will lead to more referrals and collaborations and ultimately get you in front of more potential clients.
Trade conventions are a natural place to start. Google your city name with the keywords’ tattoo convention’ to see what events are happening in your area. If you decide to go, do some research ahead of time and make a shortlist of people you want to meet to maximize your time.
Conventions not really your thing? Join online groups and forums like this subreddit for tattoo artists to ask questions and connect with artists worldwide. Collaborations with other artists can also grow your business. For example, Kelsey of For Good Days hosted a flash collab with Mellowpokes, an artist based out of the same tattoo shop as her. Even simply reposting and sharing an artist’s work can help you build your network by amplifying other pros (and get your posts reposted and shared, too). #communityovercompetition, right?
And don’t forget that booking a session with an artist you love can also build your network. As artist Kaytovenn says, “Nine times out of ten, you will get a lot more [out of it] than just asking questions.”
In tattooing, standing out is being distinctly yourself. Think of your personal brand as the answer to the question, ‘Why should I book you over any other artist?’ Tattooing is a competitive industry, and specialization matters more than skill alone.
Maybe you’re drawn to particular techniques, colors, or themes. Or you specialize in a certain style, like watercolor, traditional, or realistic tattoos. A recognizable style and expertise in a specific niche will attract clients who want exactly what you offer.
Stephen Lim (a.k.a. wonkycube) is well-known for his thick and bold tattoos that are a modern, playful take on the Traditional American style. His Instagram account exclusively features tattoos and flash designs in his signature style to further define his tattoo artist branding.
Lean into the details of what you do best and your personal brand stops being just a label and will become the reason clients actively seek you out.
There are few services that are as personal and intimate as tattooing. Considering that 69% of Americans are getting a tattoo to remember or honor something or someone, your prospective client wants to feel like they’d be in the best possible hands working with you.
Reviews and referrals are a great way to build trust with potential clients. If people see that a lot of clients have had a positive experience with you or they’ve gotten a referral from a loved one, they’ll be much more likely to book with you.
The simplest way to get more reviews and referrals is to ask for them. Send your clients a follow-up text or email asking them to share their experience with you and link to a feedback form or Google business profile. Or ask them to share your website with anyone they think would love to work with you.
Once you get a few positive reviews, showcase them on your website and social media pages. It doesn’t need to be fancy. For example, we love how artist Sydney Hunter links to a simple client feedback spreadsheet in her Instagram Linktree.
Being an artist and managing the administrative side of things is a balancing act, but you must set expectations with clients so they know what they’re getting into. If you’ve ever booked a tattoo and almost backed out because the scheduling and payment process was so painful, then you know exactly how a lack of transparency can hurt your business growth.
Fortunately, there are ways to communicate your key guidelines without much back and forth. You could create a simple FAQ page or blog post on your website that clearly outlines your availability, pricing, booking process, policies and link to this page in your social media accounts.
Or you can follow in artist Devon McFarland’s (a.k.a. rememburgerme) footsteps and use Venue Ink to create a booking page that includes all of this critical, nitty-gritty information in a form that still feels 100% you.
Tattoo artists often put most of their energy into attracting new clients, but sustainable growth happens when your existing clients keep returning. Retention matters more than you might realize.
Clients expect a good tattoo; that’s obvious. But they'll only come back if you offer them something beyond technical skill. Clear communication, professionalism, and genuine attention to detail are the differences clients actually notice. They care whether you're punctual, whether you clearly explain aftercare, and if your studio feels clean and welcoming.
Alyssa Maunders of Frankly Tattoo has candles, plants, tea, and snacks in her studio to help her clients feel more relaxed. She adds: “I really take pride in creating an experience that makes people feel heard, safe, welcome, and comfortable.”
These details might seem small, but they're the exact factors clients consider when deciding if they'll book another appointment—or recommend you to their friends.
Local community connections expose your studio to a more diverse client base and help you build credibility if you partner with well-established companies.
Attending and participating in local festivals and markets is a good first step. For example, Alyssa of Frankly Tattoo participated in a local pop-up market and offered hand poke flash tattoos.
You might also consider:
Speaking of collaborations, you can also grow your business by doing guest spots at other studios. If you’re heading to a different state or country, you can connect with local studios and arrange to work out of their space while you’re in town. It’s a great way to grow your professional network and gain exposure to a new market outside of your home base.
These kinds of collaborations are increasingly popular, and typically happen organically through discovery and outreach. Devon of Rememburger me does guest spots often while he travels. For example, he recently did one in Portland, Oregon at THIRD SPACE. The studio also promoted Devon’s guest spot on their Instagram account.
Who doesn’t love a deal? Tattoos are an investment, and potential clients may be a little weary about making the right choice. Offering promotions, discounts, or loyalty programs build buzz around your studio and set you apart from competitors.
Seasonal promotions can fill your books during slower seasons. For example, Always Tattoo Studio hosted a Halloween Flash Day with spooky discounted flash designs. Offering a special discount for first-time clients or a loyalty’ punch card’ style program for repeat clients is another way to attract and retain customers.
Lastly, consider starting a referral program with existing clients where they get a discount or bonus for referring new clients, and the referred client gets one, too. A similar ‘give one, get one’ referral partnership could work with local businesses or artists in your community with complementary styles.
Every moment counts when you’re engaging with a client, from when they first stumble across your website or social channels to leaving your studio with a fresh piece.
Each of these touchpoints can turn a passive follower into a lifelong fan, but it could also turn them off for good.
To create a top-notch customer experience for your clients, think about their whole journey from beginning to end and whether you’re meeting their needs every time they engage with your brand.
When they visit your website or social channels, can they easily find the information they need and book with you? Do they feel safe and comfortable in your studio? Do you support them after the appointment with check-ins and aftercare tips?
You might not nail every step right from the get-go, but you can show your customers you care by asking for feedback and continually updating and improving how you work based on their feedback.
We love how Sydney added sections on how to prepare for a tattoo and what to expect based on client feedback to her FAQ page after a client left some feedback on her review spreadsheet.
As a tattoo artist, you have to wear a lot of hats. Tattooing is just one aspect of your business. You also need to be a marketer, salesperson, administrator — the list goes on — and managing all of these areas on your own can be a struggle.
These tips will help you on the marketing front, but if you need support with the admin side, check out Venue Ink. Our platform, designed specifically for tattoo artists, makes booking, scheduling, taking deposits, and communicating with clients easy so you can focus on perfecting your craft.
Venue Ink makes tattoo booking and scheduling tattoos as smooth as your lines.
Try Venue Today
.png)
.jpg)