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Hey man,


I find that more often than not, the artist will get stuck between what they want to do, and what they have to do, to keep the customer happy and your business growing.
For me , I find that my enthusiasm is very infectious on people and when they give me something they want, I can suggest my ideas and ask them if they will allow me to show them my vision before committing to their original design. If you have a good imagination and the ability to read people well, you will be able to design something that will get them excited. If money is ever an issue, you can give them a break to allow you the opportunity to get the art you want to do out there.
depending on your artistic abilities. I like to draw quick sketches in front of my customers during their consult to help explain my visions, and then bring them over to my Wacom then photoshop a few quick color renderings until they get an idea of my vision and if they are curious enough for me to continue with it. I spend a lot of time with my customers, and I don't have a time limit on their consultation appointments. I have often spent 8-9 hours helping to show a client how their idea will just not work with them and change a simple design into a half sleeve. this one person actually took some time to sign my guest book page to express her experience with me. her name is Danielle. This has also been a great tool to help get my reputation out their and to give new customers more confidence to trust me, so put a guest book page on your website and ask your customers if they would mind saying a little something about their experience with you..
So basically I really like to take the time to show my enthusiasm and express how much I really want to give them my best work, and not just another tattoo. The most difficult part of the consult is timing, meaning that you have a window of opportunity to either allow your customer to nit pick the details of their simple idea, or you can refocus them on something that your are excited to do for them, if you have good people skills, most clients will be really receptive enough to listen to what you have in mind.. and if you have the artistic ability, you can start drawing right in front of them. keep you relationship with your clients personal and try not to separate them as client and artist. let them know that you have been working on some great new ideas, and learning from some other people and really want to push your artistic ability. most clients are awesome. Just a few weeks ago, i just put a plug on my facebook wanting to do a full back from neck to back of knee and to my surprise I had a few willing to give me free range to design what ever I wanted. so one thing is for sure, if you don't ask, it will never happen. feel free to put out large designs you want to do at a discount, or a day rate on a larger project to save the customer a few bucks, in time you will build a larger portfolio and you will not need to negotiate. the biggest honor is when a customer just comes to you and says, here, just do what you want. this is the sort of thing I would do for mike, because I respect his abilities enough that he will create something I will love, regardless of the subject matter. If Mike DeVries put a post on his facebook that he is in the mood to do a turtle riding a hare, 100 people will give him free range to do it. But that doesn't mean that you can't do that either. you only need 1 person to give you the freedom to do what you want. and that one person will slowly begin to grow into a bigger following and you will get larger groups of fans and followers to want your art on them. Don't be afraid to ask for the sale. it's the number one rule in business.


Hope that helps man,

Take care.



Stephen Stacey

So true what Superman said. one thing that i have also notice is that if a client comes to you with a idea that you think you can make bigger and better, spend the time to show off some drawing skills, draw up their idea and add some extras. do it as a side project and tell them to come back for a second look at some things.( that is as long as they don't want a tattoo right then). if they decide not to get it then keep it and frame it,hang it up as art. which brings me to the next trick, draw out big drawings and frame them.( if you have the room to hang them).get rid of all the small works of art. i have noticed that if clients see big images they tend to get big tattoos. its also a plus to have big art work around it tends to show off more of a artists abilities. i started out doing small tattoos and within the first year of doing these things, i get to do almost all half sleeves or bigger.i have had people come in for small script and leave with huge pieces of art.and as im tattooing them they are already planning their next big piece.hope this helps.

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Excellent,excellent,excellent point James. That's is exactly what I do, all of my best art is displayed all around my studio. There is no flash are or clutter, It is more of an art gallery feel than a tattoo studio. People are very receptive to seeing nice art and it immediately gives them the impression that you are an artist, not just a tattooist. It's kinda funny, I have been a realism pencil artist for over 25 years, and I don't think about the art I hang anymore because I have been doing it so long it is so normal for me. But I do get a lot of positive feedback from it and the customer usually gets excited when I get excited about their idea... Great point James.
So yeah, hang your best and biggest art pieces, being any medium. it will get you the right attention you are looking for..

Cheers.


Stephen Stacey

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Excellent,excellent,excellent point James. That's is exactly what I do, all of my best art is displayed all around my studio. There is no flash are or clutter, It is more of an art gallery feel than a tattoo studio. People are very receptive to seeing nice art and it immediately gives them the impression that you are an artist, not just a tattooist. It's kinda funny, I have been a realism pencil artist for over 25 years, and I don't think about the art I hang anymore because I have been doing it so long it is so normal for me. But I do get a lot of positive feedback from it and the customer usually gets excited when I get excited about their idea... Great point James.
So yeah, hang your best and biggest art pieces, being any medium. it will get you the right attention you are looking for..

Cheers.


Stephen Stacey

if you're a good tattoo artist you earn your respect by your work you done before the fact is people loves tattooing but there are most people like small tattoo for there bodies but if people belives you that you are the artist for her /him so they want more tattoo design by you .just gain your respect on people then they come for big tattoo.