The Tattoo Marketing Podcast

• No Excuses: How Stephen Hecker Balances Tattooing, 7 Kids, Writing Books, & Success

  What does it really take to be a successful tattoo artist, a present parent, and a productive creative? In this episode, we sit down with multi-award-winning tattoo artist and father of seven, Steven Hecker (aka WhatTheHecker88), to talk about time management, motivation, and how to build a life you’re proud of — without making excuses. We get real about: Why “I don’t have time” is usually a lieHow to stay productive without burning outThe biggest communication mistake tattoo artists makeWhy success isn’t sexy — it’s boring and consistentAnd how to build a schedule that works for your family and your art Whether you’re booked out or just starting out, this episode will challenge the way you think about your time, your clients, and your priorities.

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• Impatient Advertising Is Killing Your Shop’s Growth

  Most tattoo shop owners quit on their ads way too early—costing them time, money, and clients. In this episode, Jesse breaks down why rushing to judge your marketing is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, how long it really takes to see results on Google and Meta ads, and what to track so you don’t waste your budget. If you’ve ever said, “I tried ads, and they didn’t work,” this one’s for you.

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• Booked Out with Big Pieces—How Silas Built Her Tattoo Career

  In this episode, we sit down with Silas (@800stabyou) to talk about how she went from a Craigslist apprenticeship in Brooklyn to becoming a booked-out color realism artist in Portland. She shares what helped her grow—not just as an artist, but as a communicator—and how one discounted tattoo turned into a full roster of large-scale work. We get into apprenticeship stories, the value of client connection, and what really keeps people coming back. If you’re a tattoo artist trying to grow your career, this one’s for you.

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• Bridging Old School & New Tools In The Tattoo World with Joseph Swanson

  Veteran tattooer Joseph Swanson shares his 28-year journey through the tattoo industry, from his early days in Monterey, CA, to becoming a California Highway Patrol officer, to launching one of the first tattoo podcasts, and eventually helping lead Tattoo Pro—a CRM built specifically for tattoo shops. He reflects on the evolution of tattoo culture, the need for artists to embrace digital tools, and why shops must modernize to thrive in today’s ultra-competitive market. Topics include: The shift from flash to custom tattoosBuilding community and educating artistsStarting the first tattoo podcastLessons from business school and law enforcementChallenges running a tattoo shop without systemsThe power of CRMs like Tattoo Pro for lead management, client communication, bookings, waivers, reviews, and paymentsWhy old-school shops are getting left behindHow digital tools help artists stay focused on art—not admin Bottom line: If you’re a shop owner or artist not using tech to run your business, you’re leaving money and opportunities on the table. If you'd like to talk to us about your marketing go to www.ink-link.com If you're interested in learning more about TattooPro, you can check them out at tattoopro.io

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• How A Tattoo Artist Did 1,000 Tattoos in 4 Months and Found His Style

  From luxury fashion to black & gray realism, George Hristov shares how he tattooed over 1,000 people in just 4 months, built his style from scratch, and why raw hustle, humility, and smart marketing matter more than ever for tattoo artists today.

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