The Tattoo Marketing Podcast

Hosted by Ink-Link

Business Marketing

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Latest episode

Mar 2026

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About the show

🎙️ Welcome to The Tattoo Marketing Podcast — the ultimate podcast for tattoo shop owners looking to take their business to the next level! 🚀 If you’re ready to grow your shop, attract more clients, and master the art of marketing, this is the show for you. Join us as we explore proven strategies, creative branding ideas, and the latest trends in the tattoo industry. From social media hacks to in-shop promotions, every episode is packed with actionable tips designed to help you build a thriving tattoo business. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been inking for years, we’re here to inspire, educate, and empower you on your entrepreneurial journey. 💼 👉 Tune in every week for expert interviews, marketing insights, and practical advice to help you stand out in the tattoo world. Don’t just run a tattoo shop — build your legacy. Subscribe now and unlock your potential! 💡 If you're interested in seeing if we'd be a good fit for your shop's marketing, go to www.ink-link.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

March 27, 2026Episode 4858 min

How Chase Nolan Built a Tattoo Brand

In this episode, Chase Nolan—Florida tattoo artist and geometric blackwork specialist—breaks down how he went from doing walk-ins in a military town to building a career around a niche style he actually loves. We talk about the reality behind the so-called “tattoo apocalypse,” why oversaturation is forcing weak artists out of the industry, and what actually keeps great artists booked: client experience, consistency, and being known. Chase also shares how YouTube has brought him more clients than any other platform, why most tattoo artists underestimate titles, thumbnails, and content strategy, and how conventions, social media, and old-school hustle still work when you use them right. On top of that, we get into shop culture, apprenticeships, work-life balance, and the motorcycle passion he shares with his son. This one is for tattoo artists who want to stand out, build demand, and create a career with more intention.

March 20, 2026Episode 4747 min

Tattoo Shop Leadership, Lawsuits, and Losing Control: Caroline Bellinger on the Franchise Trap

In this episode, Caroline Bellinger—wellbeing and leadership strategist, international speaker, and former Celebrity Ink franchisee—shares the story of how a promising business opportunity turned into a brutal lesson in leadership, control, and risk. We talk about why she would never buy into a franchise again, why giving a personal guarantee can become a massive mistake, and what happens when the people at the top fail to support the operators actually running the business. Caroline breaks down the reality of trying to grow a tattoo studio inside a franchise system with staffing issues, marketing problems, inconsistent rules, and almost no room to make entrepreneurial decisions. This conversation also goes deeper than business. Caroline opens up about resilience, identity, mental health, and what it feels like when a business failure hits both financially and personally. It’s an honest look at what founders, franchisees, and business owners need to know before betting on a system they don’t fully control.

March 8, 2026Episode 4620 min

Tattooing & Marketing in 2026

What works for tattoo shops? What doesn't? Should you do it yourself or hire a company? Let's talk about it!

March 4, 2026Episode 4513 min

How To Find The Best Working Ads For Your Tattoo Shop

If you know how to use Meta analytics, it's a game changer. You can figure out what works, what's broken, where it's broken, and more! Unfortunately, Meta likes to make this info hard to find, so let's talk about how to use it!

February 3, 2026Episode 4416 min

The End Of Facebook/IG Ads For Tattoo Shops...?

With new regulations, the EU has become the start of a new kind of Meta without ads. The question is, when will this become the norm?

September 26, 2025Episode 431 hr 13 min

From "NO" To Owning An Amazing Shop w/ Kyle Caputo

Kyle went from being turned down by over 100 shops for an apprenticeship, almost working at a shop that was selling guns and guns, and driving across the country for an apprenticeship that was then taken from him (from some of the biggest conventions) to owning an amazing shop in Boise and being a multi award winning artists!

July 8, 2025Episode 4247 min

You Don’t Have to Be Famous to Be Successful W/ The B-Team

In this raw and real episode, Jesse sits down with Riley, Maisie, Garrett, and Million from the B Team to talk about the side of tattooing no one posts about. They cover burnout, failure, mental health, imposter syndrome, and what it really means to succeed in the tattoo world—without chasing clout or follower counts. From running shops to surviving isolation to building real community, this episode is a must-listen for every artist who’s ever questioned if they’re doing enough, good enough, or even belong in the industry. Spoiler: you’re not alone.

June 30, 2025Episode 4133 min

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.

June 22, 2025Episode 4018 min

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.

June 14, 2025Episode 3927 min

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.