How this works: One post a day for 30 days. Each row tells you what to shoot, gives you a caption to start from, and names the platform where that kind of post fits best. Swap in your own shop name, town, styles, and artists. If you miss a day, skip it and keep going. You can post the same clip to more than one platform. The platform listed is just the best place to start.
Before you start
- Set up business or creator accounts on Instagram and TikTok. Add Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube Shorts if you will use them.
- Put your town, your styles, your booking link, and your walk-in hours in every profile bio.
- Get every client's written OK before you post photos or video of their tattoo or their body. Never show a face or an ID without it.
- Keep a phone stand, a ring light or a window, and a clean, plain background at every station.
- Every photo and video should show gloves on and a clean setup. If it doesn't, don't post it.
- Only post original work. Don't post copies of another artist's design or trademarked logos and characters.
The 30-day calendar
| Day | What to film or photograph | Sample caption | Best platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photo of you (or the team) at your station. Simple intro. | "Hi, I'm [name], tattoo artist at [shop] in [town]. I do [fine-line / blackwork / traditional / realism / color]. Follow along this month to see what's on the table." | |
| 2 | Fresh and healed side by side of the same piece, same angle, same light. | "Fresh on the left, healed on the right. [Style] by [artist name], [number] weeks healed. Healed work is the real test." | |
| 3 | Time-lapse of a linework session, shot from above the arm (with client OK). | "Two hours of linework in 20 seconds. [Style] forearm piece by [artist name]." | TikTok |
| 4 | Studio clean-down: wiping the station, fresh barrier film, needles opened in front of the camera. | "Every client, every time: station cleaned, barrier film on, single-use needles opened fresh. This part isn't glamorous, but it's the part that matters most." | TikTok |
| 5 | Flash sheet on the table, one slow pan across it. | "New flash sheet is up. Every design is original and priced on the wall. Walk in or book at [link]." | |
| 6 | Short talking video: the first 48 hours of aftercare. | "Just got tattooed? Here's what the first two days should look like. Follow the written aftercare your artist gave you, and ask them if anything looks off." | TikTok |
| 7 | Moodboard or reference board for a custom piece (no client name). | "Every custom piece starts here: references, placement, size. Then we draw something original for you." | |
| 8 | Artist intro: one artist, their name, styles, and years tattooing (with their OK). | "Meet [artist name]. [He / She / They] has been tattooing for [X] years and loves [style]. Books open for [month] at [link]." | |
| 9 | The reveal: client seeing the finished piece in the mirror (face only with written OK). | "The moment it all comes together. [Style] [placement] piece by [artist name]." | TikTok |
| 10 | Google post: a healed piece with the style and artist named. | "Healed [style] piece by [artist name] at [shop] in [town]. Book a consult at [link]." | Google Business Profile |
| 11 | Sketch-to-skin: the drawing next to the finished tattoo. | "From the page to the skin. Drawn from scratch for [first name, with OK]." | |
| 12 | Fine-line close-up in good light, healed. | "Fine-line, healed [X] weeks. Small pieces still take a steady hand and a clean stencil." | |
| 13 | Short talking video: how to pick a placement for your first tattoo. | "First tattoo? Here's how we help you pick a spot: how it will age, how it will heal, and whether it can grow into something bigger later." | TikTok |
| 14 | Review ask: photo of a recent healed piece. | "If you've gotten tattooed with us, would you leave an honest Google review? It helps people in [town] find us. Link in bio." | |
| 15 | Stencil going on and the client checking it in the mirror. | "The stencil is where we get placement right before any ink goes in. Move it until it's perfect." | |
| 16 | Flash day teaser or seasonal hook (Friday the 13th, holiday gift cards, summer). | "[Event] is coming on [date]. Original flash, set prices, walk-ins welcome. Adults only, valid photo ID required." | |
| 17 | Cover-up before and after (with client OK). Say nothing bad about the old tattoo. | "Cover-up by [artist name]. If you have a piece you're ready to change, book a free cover-up consult at [link]." | |
| 18 | Healed sleeve or large piece progress, session by session. | "Session [number] of [number]. [Style] sleeve by [artist name]. Long projects are built one session at a time." | |
| 19 | Aftercare tip: what not to do (no soaking, no sun, don't pick). | "Three things to skip while you heal: long soaks, sun on fresh ink, and picking. Your artist's written aftercare comes first." | TikTok |
| 20 | Piercing jewelry display or a healed piercing (with client OK). | "New jewelry is in. Stop by for a piercing or a jewelry upgrade. Valid photo ID required, and our state's age rules apply." | |
| 21 | Behind the scenes: drawing on the iPad or paper for tomorrow's client. | "Tomorrow's piece, drawn tonight. Every custom design is drawn for one person." | TikTok |
| 22 | Local post: the shop front and walk-in hours. | "Walk-ins welcome [days] from [time] to [time]. Pick from the flash wall or ask about something small." | |
| 23 | Pinterest pin: a board of healed fine-line or flash by style. | "Healed [style] by [artist name] at [shop], [town]. Book at [link]." | |
| 24 | Short talking video: what happens at a consult. | "Booking a custom piece? Here's what the consult looks like: bring your ideas, pick placement and size, talk budget, then we draw." | TikTok |
| 25 | Share a client review (screenshot, with OK) next to a photo of their healed piece. | "Kind words from [first name]. Thank you for trusting us with your skin." | |
| 26 | Guest artist or convention announcement. | "[Guest artist name] is at [shop] on [dates]. Books open now at [link]." | |
| 27 | Touch-up post: why healed work sometimes needs a quick touch-up. | "Some spots heal lighter than others. That's what touch-ups are for. Ask your artist about their touch-up policy." | |
| 28 | Carousel of the month's best healed pieces, style and artist named on each. | "A few healed favorites from [month]. Swipe to see each artist's work." | |
| 29 | Q&A video: answer one question clients ask often (hurt, price, healing time). | "You asked: [question]. Here's the honest answer." | TikTok |
| 30 | Month recap video: fast clips of the month's work and the studio. | "That's a wrap on [month]. Thank you to every client who sat with us. Books for [next month] are open at [link]." |
After day 30, start over with new work. Keep the pattern: healed work, time-lapse, flash drops, artist intros, aftercare tips, studio cleanliness, the reveal, and a review ask. For more ideas, see C2 and C3.
How to shoot good tattoo content on your phone
- Ask first, in writing. Before you film, ask the client. Before you post, ask again with the actual photo or clip. Keep their reply.
- Clean setup in every shot. Gloves on, barrier film on, clean station. Viewers notice.
- Hold it vertical. TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels are all made for tall video.
- Soft, even light. A window or a ring light. Avoid glare on fresh, shiny skin. Wipe the tattoo gently before the photo.
- Same spot, same angle. For fresh and healed, shoot the same placement from the same angle so people can compare.
- Name the style and the artist. Collectors search for styles and follow artists, not just shops.
- Keep it short. 7 to 20 seconds is plenty for most clips. Start with the most interesting moment.
- Check the frame. Keep faces, other clients, paperwork, IDs, and screens out of the shot unless you have a written OK.
Hashtags and tagging
Hashtags
| Kind | Examples (swap in your own) |
|---|---|
| Style | #finelinetattoo #blackworktattoo #traditionaltattoo #realismtattoo #coverup #flashtattoo |
| Where you are | #[yourtown]tattoo #[yourtown]tattooartist #[yourstate]tattoo |
| Who it is for | #firsttattoo #healedtattoo #tattoocollector #smallbusiness |
- Instagram and TikTok: use a handful of relevant hashtags at the end of the caption.
- Facebook: one or two hashtags is plenty. Focus on the words.
- Pinterest: write a clear pin title and description with the style, the placement, and your town.
- YouTube Shorts: give each video a plain title, such as "Fine-line forearm tattoo, healed."
Tagging and local groups
- Tag the artist on every post so people can follow them.
- Tag the client only if they ask you to.
- Tag your town as the location, not the client's home or workplace.
- Join local Facebook groups for your town and small businesses. Read each group's rules first. Many allow business posts only on certain days.
- Be a neighbor first. Answer aftercare and "does this look normal?" questions kindly, and tell people to check with their own artist or a doctor when it needs one.
Permission text to send a client
Hi [name], your [piece] healed great! Would it be OK if we posted a photo of it on our shop pages? We won't show your face or tag you unless you want us to. Either answer is totally fine, just let us know.
Local group post template
Hi neighbors! I'm [name], a tattoo artist at [shop] here in [town]. We just put up a new sheet of original flash and we take walk-ins [days]. If you've been thinking about a first tattoo, we're happy to answer questions. Adults only, valid photo ID required. [link]
Mistakes to avoid
Don't post a client's tattoo, body, face, or name until they say yes in writing. Keep their reply.
Don't show IDs, consent forms, or other clients in the background.
Don't post work that isn't yours, and don't post copies of another artist's original design.
Don't promise how a tattoo will heal, how much it will hurt, or that laser will remove it all. Describe the work.
Never offer a discount or a freebie in exchange for a review, a follow, or a share.
Don't post a client's tattoo, body, face, or name until they say yes in writing. Keep their reply.
Don't show IDs, consent forms, or other clients in the background.
Don't post work that isn't yours, and don't post copies of another artist's original design.
Don't promise how a tattoo will heal, how much it will hurt, or that laser will remove it all. Describe the work.
Never offer a discount or a freebie in exchange for a review, a follow, or a share.
Want Annie's to do this for you? Annie's can take the photos and clips your artists send in, write the captions, and schedule the posts so you can stay at the station.