the short version
- 1waitlist of people who want in early. that list is how most openings get filled.
- 60sto send an "i had an opening" message when you keep one saved. copy ours below.
- 1clear deposit policy, so a late cancel still covers the time you held.
plans change. people get sick, cars break down, work runs late. this page is about filling the chair fast when it happens, and keeping busy when the whole month goes quiet.
step 1
keep a waitlist before you need one
the fastest way to fill a gap is to already know who wants it. every time someone asks for a date you don't have, put them on a list.
- 1write down who wants in earlyname, how to reach them, the piece, and roughly how long it takes.
- 2note how much notice they needsome people can come in an hour. some need a day.
- 3match by sizea 2-hour gap fits a 2-hour piece. keep small pieces on the list for short gaps.
what to do with this
- start the list today, even with just three names.
- when someone books for next month, ask "want me to text you if something opens sooner?"
step 2
have the 'i had an opening' message ready
when a slot opens, speed matters more than the perfect post. keep these saved so you can send them in a minute.
text to your waitlist
hey! i just had an opening tomorrow at 2pm, about 2 hours. you're first on my list for your piece. want it? the usual deposit holds it.
instagram story
last-minute opening: tomorrow, 2pm, about 2 hours. good for a small to medium piece or anything off my flash sheet. first to send a deposit gets it. link in bio.
what to do with this
- text the waitlist first, then post the story. the people who asked deserve first dibs.
- say the length of the slot so people know what fits.
step 3
keep flash you can tattoo on short notice
a custom piece needs drawing time. flash doesn't. a sheet of small, quick designs with set prices is the easiest thing to say yes to the same day.
good flash for a last-minute slot
on goodwork, flash has a fixed price per size, so a new client can see the design and the total and book it right away. you can also add the freed-up hours back to your calendar, so clients can request that time.
what to do with this
- keep 6 to 10 small flash designs ready at all times.
- when a slot opens, add those hours back to your calendar.
step 4
let the deposit cover the held time
a clear deposit policy means a late cancel doesn't cost you the whole slot. the deposit covers the time you held, and filling the gap becomes a bonus, not a rescue.
not sure what to write? the deposit policy guide has a generator that writes one for you in a minute.
what to do with this
- say your notice window in writing before anyone pays, like 48 hours.
- let the deposit move to a new date when someone gives enough notice.
slow season
when the whole month goes quiet, make a reason to book
some months are just slower. january is a common one. a few things that give people a reason to book now:
- 1run a flash dayone day, one sheet, set prices, walk-ins welcome. it fills a calendar fast.
- 2put one design on a set price for the montha small piece you love doing, at a clear price, for a short window.
- 3take a guest spota week somewhere new brings new people.
- 4plan around a date people already care aboutfriday the 13th is the big one. nov 13 is the next.
more on each: guest spots in socal and running a friday the 13th flash day.
what to do with this
- pick one of these for your slowest month and put it on the calendar now.
- tell your waitlist first. they already want to get tattooed by you.
new people
slow weeks are a good time to reach new clients
your regulars can only get tattooed so often. a quiet stretch is when new people matter most. a free goodwork page puts your work and prices in front of socal clients looking for your style.
what goodwork costs you
more ideas for getting found: how to get more tattoo clients.
on goodwork
fill slow weeks with new clients
socal clients browse goodwork by style every day. free to list. 15% only on the first booking of a new client goodwork finds for you. repeats and your own link are 0%.
get found free