We know how frustrating can be a thought of promoting your tattoo services when you not only have to create the best tattoos but also learn how to handle a bunch of social media. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of marketing in simple terms so you can focus on what you do best — creating amazing designs.
We’ll explore a variety of creative and effective tattoo promotion ideas to help you stand out in the competitive tattoo industry. Additionally, we’ll share unique insights on how a tattoo artist can maximize the benefits of an InkMatch profile and learn about the main building blocks of a successful brand. So let’s get started!
A Quick Guide to Marketing for the Realm of Tattoos
As a tattooist, you’re not just an artist — you’re also a business owner. Like any other business, you need to grow it, but how do you do it? That’s where marketing comes in. But don’t worry if you’re not a marketing guru — we’re here to help!
Marketing is all about promoting your tattoo art to attract more customers. It involves strategies to promote your designs, connect with potential clients, and grow your reputation in the tattoo community. Think of it as telling people why they should choose you over other tattoo artists.
“To become a truly successful tattoo artist, you need to use all the tools available. If we compare it to the construction of a building, the technique makes up the foundation, while social media and marketing strategies make up the middle part. Finally, at the very top, there are your designs and ideas. Just like building a solid house, mastering all these elements is crucial to success in the tattoo industry.”
— Firstjing in an interview with InkMatch
There are many ways to promote tattoos, and they can all be categorized into two main groups — traditional and digital. These include social media presence, participation in tattoo conventions, and more, which we’ll talk about next. But the main promoters of your tattoos are happy customers.
Best Tattoo Promotion Ideas: Traditional and Digital
Let’s take a look at some tattoo promotion ideas that are suitable for both individual tattoo artists and tattoo shop owners. Consider combining traditional and digital promotion strategies to boost your tattoo business and gain a foothold in the industry.
Experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your tattoo promotion. With these ideas and your dedication, you’ll build a thriving tattoo business. Let’s get started!
Tattoo Artist Promotion Ideas
Ideas for promoting tattoo artists mainly focus on developing social media and websites, but we have prepared some more useful tips. It’s also important to remember that the best advertising for your tattoos is your technique, designs, and customer-oriented approach.
- Social media
In the modern world, social media is the ultimate tool for promoting a tattoo artist. We recommend creating an account on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, as these are the main platforms where the tattoo enthusiast category is widely adhered to. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube can also be used.
Of course, no one can handle all these social media at once without a team, so it’s worth choosing 1 to 2 resources that are the most convenient for you. Instagram is the best social media for tattoos, and all top tattoo artists actively use it for their promotion. On Pinterest, people look for inspiration and thus can find a tattoo artist with their preferred style.
TikTok and Twitter can be additional ways to promote, as they are more focused on promoting your personal brand rather than designs.
To promote on social media, it is firstly important to gain followers on Instagram. There is no universal recipe, but we can give you some tips. Publish content regularly and organize stories in highlights; besides, choosing the right hashtags is an important part of the process. Promotion experts also recommend including the most important information in the first line of the account description, as it is always used by search services.
Actively engage with your audience on social media by responding to comments, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work, and posting Q&A posts. But remember, the real star of the show is your art. Consistently share fresh, high-quality designs to keep your audience hooked.
One of the main problems with social media is the difficulty of finding local followers, and they are the ones who can later become your customers. You can try several strategies to solve this problem — using local hashtags, optimization of texts, and the help of your customers. Let’s go through them.
The first option is very popular but is not the most effective, the second will help local users to find your posts through Google Search. There are many keyword research resources available to help you find the right ones for your site. It’s also a great idea to consult an expert when creating a website to maximize results.
The third way is very effective in gaining local followers. Offer your clients to post healed tattoos with your account tagged in exchange for a small discount for the next session. This way you will get a triple benefit — an additional photo of your design, promotion among your clients’ friends, and a chance of client return.
Maintaining so many social media accounts can be exhausting, so you can focus on Instagram and create an online portfolio on the InkMatch platform, for example. Such an account could passively attract clients, so let’s talk about this service.
- InkMatch portfolio
Join tattoo platforms like InkMatch where clients can browse portfolios of tattoo artists and find a style that matches their preferences. There is a huge catalog of tattoo artists out there, and tattoo seekers are actively using this platform.
InkMatch has many benefits, one of which is the handy filters to search by style and city. This means that with this platform, you may get more local clients interested in your style. This will be a great addition to your social media.
InkMatch portfolio example on different devices
When building your portfolio, pay special attention to styles, as they help you to get noticed in the search engine. It’s also worth filling out the bio in detail and adding a couple of lines about your hobbies. This will help the client see your character and build trust faster.
- Website
Another option might be to create a professional website to showcase your portfolio, bio, pricing, and contact information. Ensure that your website is visually appealing, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate to leave a lasting impression on visitors. But keep in mind that building your own website takes a lot of time and resources, and only pays for itself over time.
- Tattoo conventions
Tattoo fans love tattoo conventions because it’s a chance to see live work by your favorite artists and interact with them. This is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and share your experience with other tattoo artists. These events attract a diverse audience and provide an excellent chance to gain exposure and attract new clients.
- Flash tattoos for a holiday sale
The power of limited-time offers works wonders, and knowing how to use it will help you promote tattoos better. Offer special flash tattoos at discounted prices on holidays such as Halloween or Valentine’s Day.
Promote this offer on your social media to attract more people, and after having a pleasant experience, they may come back or recommend you to their friends or relatives.
Tattoo Shop Promotion Ideas
While walk-in customers are always welcome, relying solely on curiosity won’t guarantee a steady flow of business. To truly thrive in the competitive tattoo industry, you need a strategic promotion plan in place.
In addition to the tips below, remember that cultivating a strong social media presence is as crucial for tattoo studio owners as it is for artists.
Google My Business
Google Maps are a reliable source of clients, as many people still use them to find tattoo shops. For best results, it’s worth detailing your contact information, location, and hours of operation to improve your visibility in local search. We also recommend creating similar profiles for Yelp, Bing Places, and other search engines as they are gaining popularity lately.
Customer service
Provide exceptional customer service to create a positive experience for every client. Train your staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive to client needs, ensuring they feel valued and satisfied with their tattoo experience. After such an amazing visit, they will want to leave a positive review and recommend your tattoo parlor to their friends.
Events outside your standard hours
Host special events outside your regular business hours, such as art shows featuring local artists or tattoo-themed exhibitions. This allows you to engage with your community, attract new visitors to your tattoo shop, and showcase your shop’s unique atmosphere. So, the next time they think about getting a tattoo, they will definitely think of your tattoo parlor.
Gift certificates
Offer gift certificates that can be redeemed for tattoo sessions or merchandise at your shop. These make great gifts for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions, and they also help promote your brand to new potential clients.
Website and online booking system
Maintain a user-friendly website with an integrated online booking system that allows clients to schedule appointments conveniently. Ensure that your website is optimized for search engines and provides essential information about your shop, artists, services, and pricing. This helps streamline the booking process and attracts clients who prefer to book appointments online.
How to Build a Successful Brand?
Building a brand is an important part of promoting a tattoo artist or tattoo studio. It’s how your social media followers see you, connecting with your audience and building trust and loyalty. Let’s look at the basic building blocks for a strong personal brand in the tattoo industry.
Creative name and slogan
The name of your tattoo parlor should be catchy and reflect the style of the tattoo artists working with you. If your shop offers a variety of tattoo styles, it may be best to go with a more neutral name.
The slogan should also reflect what sets your salon apart from the competition and resonates with your target audience. If you are a tattoo artist, you may consider taking a memorable pseudonym, but most artists keep their real names.
Visualization (logo, business card, website design)
Invest in professional branding materials such as a distinctive logo, stylish business cards, and a visually appealing website design. Consistent branding across all platforms will help create a strong identity for your tattoo parlor and build brand recognition.
There are many universal ideas for tattoo artist business cards and studio logos, but it is better if you come up with an idea or even a design reflecting your uniqueness yourself.
Authenticity and building trust
Be sincere and transparent in communication with clients to build trust and loyalty. Demonstrate your experience, passion for tattooing, and commitment to quality craftsmanship to reassure clients that they are in good hands. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and testimonials to build your reputation and credibility.
How Do You Know You’re Doing Everything Right?
Now that you’ve put so much effort into promoting your tattoo business, it’s important to know how to track your results. Of course, the number of customers is first and foremost. Are more of them coming in? Are they coming back for a new tattoo? Do they recommend you to their friends? Don’t be afraid to ask your clients to leave feedback on their experience. Use their comments to identify areas for improvement.
The second important metric is social media. Keep an eye on follower engagement, website traffic, and customer reviews. Are people liking and sharing your posts? Are they booking appointments through your website? Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different promotional strategies to see what resonates best with your audience.
By regularly evaluating your promotional efforts, you’ll be able to make sure you’re on the right track. Define clear promotion goals, this could be: increasing your social media followers, booking an appointment, or expanding your customer base. Break your goals down into smaller, achievable tasks, and monitor your progress regularly.
Summary
To summarize, promoting your tattoos requires a multi-faceted approach that combines both traditional and digital marketing strategies in combination with building a strong brand. We explored the best tattoo promotion ideas from the artists’ and tattoo parlor owners’ perspectives.
By being proactive, creative, and not afraid to try new things, you’re sure to attract more clients, build a loyal customer base, and establish a reputation as a top-notch tattoo artist or salon in your city and then across the country.
The InkMatch team wishes you the best of luck!
FAQ
💎 What Social Media Is Best for Tattoos?
Instagram is the leading social media for tattoo artists, as it is easy to share your designs there. In addition, you can also create your portfolio on the InkMatch platform to attract more new clients.
📢 How Do Tattoo Artists Advertise?
Tattoo artists often advertise on social media like Instagram and Facebook, where they showcase their work and connect with potential clients. They may also use their own websites or online portfolios like InkMatch.
📈 How Do I Get More Clients for My Tattoo?
To attract more clients for your tattoo business, focus on building a strong online presence, engage with your audience, and strive to provide the best customer service. And most importantly, improve your tattooing skills.
🤩 Who Is the Target Audience for Tattoo Content?
They are usually young people who value self-expression, creativity, and individuality and are often passionate about music. They may also be people who are facing a midlife crisis and are looking for a change in their lives. But in general now that tattoos are no longer stigmatized anyone can want to get inked.
🤔 How Do People Find Tattoo Ideas?
People mostly find tattoo ideas on visual-oriented social media sites such as Instagram and Pinterest, where they can browse through the designs of different tattoo artists. Our gallery of designs is also a handy resource for finding tattoo ideas.
