This post is from my column "Spilling Ink" that appeared in the
October issue of "Tattoo Revue" magazine:
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How to Avoid Tattoo Burn-Out
Let’s face it, there are only so many tribal armbands and pink butterflies in all of us.
When you can tattoo the Chinese character for “strength” blindfolded, it may be time to refresh
yourself.
Tattoo “burn-out” comes easy and staying artistically inspired can be a challenge.
Try some of these tips to get your mojo back:
- Find a trusting body that will allow you complete artistic freedom.
- Tattoo a piece on them that you have always dreamed of doing.
- Get out of your comfort zone and experiment with new techniques.
- You may have to do it for free but trust me, the reward is worth it.
- Set your machines up differently.
- Experiment with different springs, tuning and needle settings. You may see big changes in your tattooing.
- Try new needle sizes. With so many new needle configurations out there, you may discover your new fave.
- Try a few tattoo pieces without the standard black outline. Flowers are a great place to start.
- Check out your favorite artist’s websites. See their latest work. Study it. Become inspired.
- Go to the library or bookstore and peruse the art section for new ideas.
- Check out the latest flash designs available.
- Go to tattoo conventions. Watching others work can be a motivational tool.
- If time off is what you need to refuel, schedule it in. Life is short!
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Tattoo Revue~ November 2009
Market Yourself!
By Lisa Fasulo
It’s important to allot time each month to market yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day chores to forget to set time aside to publicize you and/or your studio.
The more people that hear about you, the greater the chance for business success.
There are 2 types of effective marketing: paid advertising and free publicity.
Paid advertising is exactly what it says, you pay for it.
Some examples of paid-for advertising can be spots on your local radio station, or paying for space in the yellow page section of the phone book, or taking out ads in your local newspapers, etc.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of FREE advertising. Everybody can use FREE publicity.
Here are some FREE marketing ideas to try:
- Open a Facebook or MySpace account for great free internet social networking. Bite the bullet, you won’t be sorry. It really does work. If you are feeling adventurous, go for Twitter and YouTube as well. These are important tools that are necessary in today’s world. Internet social networking isn’t going away, don’t be left behind.
- Contact your local newspaper and tell them about yourself. This is not the time to be shy. The media finds anything tattoo-related interesting. They may write a story about you.
- Ditto with local radio/TV stations.
- Send a one-page press release about yourself to the tattoo magazines. They won’t know you exist unless you tell them about your accomplishments. Often, they are happy to receive and review the information. Press releases are easy to write, they are a one page summary of you covering: who, what, when, where and why.
- Donate tattoo gift certificates to your local charity auctions that benefit various causes, this is great way for people to be introduced to your services.
- Go to tattoo conventions, they can be super inspirational and the chance of being photographed for media coverage is high.
- Enter your work in tattoo competitions. Not only is winning a blast, but your achievement will likely end up on the host’s website and perhaps in print if the contest is large enough.
- Send clear images of your work in to the tattoo magazines. Look for details on the step by step of this process in an upcoming column.
- Lastly, design an impressive business card, not a home printed jobber. Satisfied customers will be proud to hand out your card to admirers. Pass them out freely.
- Ultimately, your careful and conscientious work will speak for you.
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