Tattoo Advertising: 7 Proven Strategies to Attract More Clients in 2025

Tattoo advertising is evolving. In a crowded market where every shop is competing for attention, traditional marketing tactics alone no longer cut it. In this guide, we’ll explore 7 highly effective tattoo advertising strategies that are working right now in 2025—and show you exactly how to apply them to grow your client base. In this blog we’ll discuss a few strategies that work amazingly well to promote your tattoo work online and advertise you tattoo studio. Here you’ll find a summary of what you’re going to gain insights on. 

In a nutshell – Tattoo Advertising

1. Run Instagram Ads with local targeting to reach potential clients in your city who are actively scrolling for inspiration.

2. Post raw, relatable TikTok content—behind-the-scenes and authentic videos beat polished promos every time.

3. Use Google Ads for high-intent searches like “tattoo artist near me” to catch clients ready to book now.

4. Partner with micro-influencers and run giveaways to grow reach, build credibility, and generate real leads.

5. Retarget visitors and show off real client reviews—because repetition and social proof are what seal the deal.

• BONUS: some intense youtube video’s to get you going!

Instagram is still the king of visual content. But posting isn’t enough anymore. The algorithm of Instagram is getting more complicated in time. This is logical because there will be more and more content on it. So they have to make it more relevant for their users. Make sure that you engage with your followers organically. But how can you reach them with ads hyperlocal in tattoo advertising strategy?

• Target people within a 10–20 km radius.

• Show off reels of your process, healed results, or flash promos.

• Use direct CTAs like “Tap to Book” or “Send DM.”

“If you’re not promoting your work, the guy with half your talent and double your ads is taking your clients.” – Buck, founding beard

TikTok is about being raw. It rewards honest, messy, emotional content. Don’t go for the next viral content using a videographer that asks way to much for editing a 1 minute clip…

• Show behind-the-scenes moments, client reactions, and inking sessions.

• Use trending sounds but make them yours.

Google is where people go when they’re ready to buy. Make sure you’re on top of them. There are literally people Googling “fine line tattoo near me” on a daily basis up to 1000 times per month. Take advantage of this for your tattoo advertising. 

• Bid on “tattoo artist near me” or “[style] tattoo in [city].”

• Link to a mobile-optimized booking page.

Find someone who speaks to your audience and tattoo them. Also find local businesses to help you spread the word and who you can help to gain clients also. This will gain you local renown. When working with influencers be sure to:

• Offer a influencer a custom design or session in exchange for a video post. (You’re not working for free, but exchanging strengths)

• Ask for reuse rights so you can run ads with it later.

Giveaways should bring you something back. Offering the ‘losers’ a discount of 10% will bring in clients immediately. We’ve done this with a studio that just started their client e-maillist. Within 3 weeks they’ve gained 356 subscribers and 30 clients who wanted to use the 10% discount. Making up for the €800 day session they gave away and then some. 

• Use entry requirements: follow, tag 3 friends, share. Or don’t. It’ll work either way. 

• Use a form to collect emails for sure. This brings you customer life time value 

• DM/e-mail EVERYONE a 10% discount.

Most people need to see your work a few times before they act. So make sure you can retarget ASAP. Using Google analytics and the META pixel/Conversion API on your website ensures you this possibility. 

• Use Meta Pixel or Google Tag to show ads to past visitors.

• Mix in client results, trust signals, and urgency.

Social proof > bragging. Showing people real reviews and testimonials from your clients, gives them an idea of how the experience at your studio is. This is crucial in building trust and authority with your audience and turning them into clients.

ASK A REVIEW when the client is in the chair. It’s not weird, you’re not pushy, you’re running a business. You can even give them something in return like a discount or free aftercare. The review is worth double that. 

• Screenshot DMs or reviews.

• Add them to your ads with a photo of the tattoo.

Q: What’s the most effective platform for tattoo advertising in 2025?

A: Instagram and Google Ads offer the best ROI for studios, especially when combined with retargeting and influencer partnerships.

Go get a free, no-strings-attached tattoo marketing scan with Buck himself! 

Book it now and walk away with at least 3 actionable ideas—guaranteed. Scroll down and book!