So Your Books Aren’t Full - Now What?
Here’s the truth: most tattoo artists aren’t struggling because of their art.
They’re struggling because their systems, communication, and visibility are letting them down.
Here’s the truth: most tattoo artists aren’t struggling because of their art.
They’re struggling because their systems, communication, and visibility are letting them down.
If you’re feeling burnt out, under-booked, or just over chasing clients - here are 4 things you can start doing today to fix that.
1. Make Booking Stupidly Easy
If your booking system requires a scavenger hunt, people will give up.
If your booking system requires a scavenger hunt, people will give up.
Here’s what you need:
- A booking link (not just "DM to book") - Create a linktree or solo.to with everything in one spot
- Clear instructions about pricing, deposit, wait time and how to prep
- A mobile-friendly form or website - Use a booking form (Typeform, Square, Calendly)
- Info pinned to your IG profile or highlights + post regularly
“DM me to book” = chaos
Pro tip: If you answer the same 5 questions every day, that info should already be in your form or pinned post.
2. Use a Strong, Repeated Call to Action
“Hit me up” isn’t a strategy.
People need specific direction. Clients are lazy and distracted - assume they won’t try twice.
“Hit me up” isn’t a strategy.
People need specific direction. Clients are lazy and distracted - assume they won’t try twice.
Every post = a purpose.
Use CTAs like:
- “Books open next month - link in bio to apply.”
- “DM ‘flash’ for available designs.”
- “Subscribe to my email list for first dibs on cancellations.”
You’re not annoying people - you’re making it easy to say yes.
Remove the roadblocks:
- Make sure your booking link works on mobile
- Don’t bury it 8 stories deep - pin it!
- Avoid walls of text - use bold headers and emojis
- Be clear about what you want: custom only, flash only, new clients welcome or not?
The easier it is to click, the more likely they will.
3. Show the Whole Experience
A tattoo is a big deal. Clients want to feel safe, informed, and excited. So show more than just the final photo.
A tattoo is a big deal. Clients want to feel safe, informed, and excited. So show more than just the final photo.
Content ideas that build trust and book clients:
- Time-lapses of you working
- Setting up your station
- Your stencil placement and reasoning (don't forget to tag us in your stencil application and peel videos and don't miss out on the INSIDERS program, where you save 20% on every Electrum Order you place PLUS get 10% cash commission and when you post using your code, every sale made with your code makes you 10% Cash! SIGN UP NOW)
- Healed results and touch-up policy
- How you design customs from scratch
You’re not just selling tattoos — you’re selling the experience of being tattooed by you.
Bonus: Talk while you work. Explain your process. Be the expert.
4. Educate Your Audience Like It’s Your Job
Because it is.
Clients don’t know what they don’t know.
Because it is.
Clients don’t know what they don’t know.
Use your posts and stories to teach them:
- Why you charge what you do
- What makes your work unique
- What styles you specialize in (and what you don’t do)
- How they can prep and heal properly
- How to prep (eat first, no drinking, shave the area)
- Why your pricing reflects your experience
- What’s included in a full-day session
- What styles you don’t do (stop wasting time)
The more someone knows about how you work, the more confident they are booking you and referring friends.
Pro tip: Use Q&A story stickers weekly to build trust + content ideas.
Bonus Tip: Track What’s Working
If your posts aren’t working - check the data.
If your posts aren’t working - check the data.
📊 Review once a week:
- What posts got the most saves or replies?
- What stories got DMs?
- Are people clicking your link or just liking your art?
Post more of what converts. It’s not about ego — it’s about building your business.
💚 TL;DR: You’re Closer Than You Think
You don’t need to grind harder. You just need to build better systems and talk to your audience like real people.
You don’t need to grind harder. You just need to build better systems and talk to your audience like real people.
