the short version
- 7simple things that bring in more clients. you can start most of them today.
- 3 in 4tattoos socal clients picked were black ink. show what people pick.
- 1 tapis how easy booking should be: a link, a price and a deposit.
the numbers on this page come from goodwork: 521 people in socal picking tattoos they liked, and the prices artists on goodwork set. sources are linked in each section.
tip 1
use the words clients search for
clients look for a style by name. if your work is minimalist but your profile only says "fine line", the person searching "minimalist" never sees you.
clients for every goodwork artist who lists "minimalist" as a style.
only 3 of 31 artists list it. fine line has 13 clients per artist, because 20 artists list it.
more numbers like this are in what socal tattoo clients actually want.
what to do with this
- list every style you actually tattoo, not just your main one.
- use the same words on instagram, your booking page and goodwork.
tip 2
lead with the work clients pick most
the first few pieces someone sees decide if they keep scrolling. put your strongest work in the styles people are already looking for up top.
tattoos socal clients picked were black ink.
flowers got picked almost twice as often as they show up in portfolios.
what to do with this
- pin your best black ink pieces and any flowers you've done to the top.
- if you do color, lead with your best color piece. you don't need to change your style.
tip 3
post healed photos next to fresh ones
every tattoo looks great on day one. that's just fresh ink. healed photos show how your work settles, and that's what a careful client wants to see before they book.
what to do with this
- when a client comes back for a touch-up or a new piece, ask for a quick photo of the healed one.
- post it side by side with the fresh photo, or add it to the same post.
tip 4
make booking one tap
most people who like your work still need to know three things before they book. the easier those are to find, the more of them book.
- 1a linkone booking link, in your bio and on every post. no hunting.
- 2a pricea starting price or your minimum, so nobody has to ask what it costs.
- 3a deposita clear deposit that holds the date. it turns "maybe" into a booked slot.
not sure what to charge? the typical shop minimum for artists on goodwork is $50. the pricing guide has a calculator, and the deposit guide writes your policy for you.
what to do with this
- put a price or a "starting at" number next to your booking link.
- take a deposit at booking so the date is locked in.
tip 5
draw flash with fixed prices
flash is the easiest thing in your book to say yes to. the client sees the design and the price, and they can book without a back-and-forth about the idea.
- 1a finished designdrawn out, not a rough sketch.
- 2a sizesmall, medium or large.
- 3one price per sizeso the client knows the total before they ask.
flash days and holiday flash pull people in too. friday the 13th is the big one: here's how to run a friday the 13th flash day.
what to do with this
- draw one sheet in a style people pick a lot, like small black ink or flowers.
- put one price on each size and post the sheet with your booking link.
tip 6
ask happy clients to send friends
a client who loves their tattoo is your best ad. most of them are happy to send a friend if you ask, and if you make it easy.
what to do with this
- at the end of the session, ask: "if you know anyone who wants work like this, send them my way."
- give them your booking link to share. on goodwork, clients who book through your own link are 0% fee.
tip 7
be where people already look for an artist
instagram shows your work to people who already follow you. a marketplace shows it to people who are looking for a tattoo right now and don't know you yet.
what goodwork costs you
clients pay their own 6% booking fee. it never comes out of your price.
comparing your options? apps that actually bring tattoo artists clients lays out which apps send you new people and which just manage your calendar.
what to do with this
- put your work on at least one place where new clients are browsing, not just your own page.
- check what each one costs before you list, so the fee never surprises you.
on goodwork
let socal clients find you while you tattoo
clients browse goodwork by style and book from your page. free to list. 15% only on the first booking of a new client goodwork finds for you. repeats and your own link are 0%.
list your work free