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Instagram Best Practices for Tattoo Artists

A practical guide to getting more eyes on your work. Learn how to optimize your profile, create engaging content, and drive more bookings to CO:CREATE.

Your Instagram Profile is Your Digital Storefront

When someone discovers your profile, they should immediately know where you're located and how to book. Make sure it answers three questions instantly: What do you do? Where are you? How do I book?

Profile Essentials:

  • Name field: Tattoo Artist | Your City (this helps people find you in search)
  • Bio: Your style + city + clear booking call-to-action
    • Example: "Fine line & botanical tattoos | Austin, TX • Books open – link below"
  • Link: Your CO:CREATE Profile with a clear title like "Book Tattoos Here"
  • Pinned posts: Pin 3 posts that showcase your best work, explain how to book with you, and feature healed tattoos or client testimonials

Post Content that Drives Discovery

Instagram prioritizes Reels over static photos for reaching new people.

High-Performing Content for Tattoo Artists:

  • Needle-to-tattoo transitions
  • Stencil-to-skin transformations
  • Timelapse videos of your process
  • Client reaction reveals
  • Healed vs. fresh comparisons
  • Flash design showcases

Pro tip: Film everything during sessions – you never know what angle or moment will resonate.

Make Reels Work for You

Reels bring in new followers. Photos build trust with existing ones.

Simple Reel Formula:

Hook people in the first 1–2 seconds with something that makes them stop scrolling.

Hook Ideas:

  • "Would you get this tattoo?"
  • "This took 5 hours..."
  • "My favorite tattoo this week"

Use Keywords and Location Tags for Local Discovery

You don't need viral hashtags. Instagram prioritizes keywords in captions, bios, alt text, and on-screen text, not just hashtags. Use 5–10 relevant hashtags or skip them entirely.

Example Caption: "Fine line botanical tattoo done in Austin, Texas. I specialize in delicate, nature-inspired tattoos for Clients looking for clean, timeless work."

Pro Tip: Always tag your city or studio location on posts and Stories so Instagram shows your content to people nearby.

Stories Build Trust and Urgency

Post to Stories daily to stay top-of-mind with your audience.

What to share:

  • Behind-the-scenes moments
  • Works in progress
  • Availability updates
  • Client shoutouts
  • Flash drops and Wanna Dos

Add your CO:CREATE booking link to Stories with a "Book Now" sticker to make it easy for people to take action.

Flash Drops and Wanna Dos Create Urgency

Flash designs and Wanna Do listings generate excitement and shareability, leading to faster bookings and increased engagement. List your Wanna Dos on your CO:CREATE Profile and post them on Instagram to drive traffic.

Example caption: "Just dropped these flash designs. You can book them now on my CO:CREATE Profile. Link in bio."

Other Quick Tips

Engagement Drives Visibility

Instagram rewards accounts that actively interact with their community. Be visible where your future Clients already are.

Spend 10–15 minutes daily:

  • Liking and commenting on other Artists' posts
  • Engaging with people who watch your Stories
  • Responding to comments on your posts. 

Consistency Over Perfection

You don't need to post every day to see results. At a minimum, post 3–4 Reels and/or carousel posts per week. 

Content that Usually Converts

Trust converts more than aesthetics alone.

What to share:

  • Client testimonials
  • Healed tattoos
  • Before-and-after transformations

Final Note: CO:CREATE is not a social media strategist. This information is for general guidance, and CO:CREATE does not guarantee increased bookings based on social media activity alone.