the short version
- 7doors to new clients. instagram is just one of them.
- 0followers needed for a client to find you on google or a marketplace.
- 0%fee when a client books through your own goodwork link.
if your reach dropped, it's not just you. posts get shown to fewer people when the app changes how it picks. none of the ideas below depend on that.
door 1
show up when people google your style
a lot of people start with a search like "fine line tattoo artist near me". they're not following anyone yet. they just want someone good, close by.
- 1have one page that lists your styles and your citya simple website or a goodwork page both work. it should say what you tattoo and where.
- 2use the exact style words people typefine line, minimalist, black & grey, linework. say every one you do.
- 3show prices or a starting pricepeople click the result that answers "how much" without a message.
clients for every goodwork artist who lists "minimalist" as a style.
only 3 of 31 artists list it. more in what socal tattoo clients actually want.
door 2
let a marketplace send you new people
a marketplace is an app where clients browse tattoos and book the artist. your followers don't matter there. your work and your prices do.
what goodwork costs you
goodwork is southern california only.
want to compare? apps that actually bring tattoo artists new clients lines up goodwork, tattoodo and booksy side by side.
on goodwork
a door that isn't instagram
socal 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%.
open your free pagedoor 3
make it easy for happy clients to send friends
the best new client is a friend of someone you already tattooed. they show up trusting you.
what to do with this
- right after a session, ask: "know anyone who wants something like this?"
- hand them your booking link, not just your handle. on goodwork, bookings through your own link are 0%.
- post the healed photo and tag them, if they're ok with it.
door 4
give walk-ins a reason to stop in
a flash sheet with fixed prices turns "maybe someday" into "today". people see the design and the price, and say yes.
what to do with this
- put a flash sheet in the shop window or by the front desk, with prices on it.
- run a flash day. friday the 13th on november 13 is the easiest one of the year.
door 5
tattoo in front of new crowds
conventions and guest spots put you in a room full of people who've never seen your work. you leave with bookings and a new list of clients in a new area.
- 1pick one convention or guest spot this seasonsee socal tattoo conventions and guest spots in socal.
- 2post your dates a few weeks aheadsay where you'll be and how to book a slot.
- 3take names and numbers at the booththat list is yours, no matter what any app does.
door 6
text your past clients when you have openings
your past clients already like you. a short message when a spot opens up often fills it faster than a post.
what to do with this
- keep a simple list: name, number, what they got.
- when a date opens, send one short text: "had a spot open up friday at 2. want it?"
- only message people who said it's ok to hear from you.
door 7
be seen around town
local markets, art walks, pop-ups and collabs with nearby shops all put your work in front of people in person. bring a few prints or a flash sheet and a way to book on the spot.
what to do with this
- have a short link or qr code that goes straight to booking.
- bring your flash sheet with prices. it does the talking for you.
the takeaway
keep instagram, just don't make it your only door
instagram is still a great place to show your work. the point is to have more than one way in, so a slow week on the app doesn't mean a slow week in the chair.
for the full list, see how to get more tattoo clients.