Busy Season and Slow Season in tattoos

There are high and low seasons of work in the tattoo business.

To face each stage, it is necessary that you know some issues and be able to organize yourself more effectively.

Artists usually don't get along with the holiday seasons, and this is because they are the main reason for the decline in their jobs.

Clients spend money on gifts, travel, and other personal consumption rather than tattoos. In addition, many are outside, which makes the number of customers drop considerably.

For these reasons and a few more, we decided to give you some tips to get you through these moments in a more creative and productive way.

Let's go!

What does 'Busy Season' mean?

Busy Season is that time of the year when tattoo artists receive more commissions. And Slow Season is when tattooing is usually less requested.

As in all businesses, each industry has its own demands and needs, which define periods with very high sales peaks and times when demand is lower.

In tattooing, several of the reasons for these differences are due to the seasons of the year.

Although it may not seem like it, the weather directly affects the work of tattoo artists, causing more or less demand due to weather conditions.

Generally, demand increases considerably in the winter and decreases in the summer.

In summer, the high temperatures and the greater exposure to the sun can be detrimental to a freshly made tattoo.

Moreover, during vacation periods, customers prefer to invest their money in other matters such as recreational outings and trips.

For this reason, as we mentioned here Reasons to tattoo in winter, many tattoo artists and clients prefer cold weather for tattooing.

However, there are conflicting opinions regarding this, as some say that Busy Seasons are actually in the warmer months.

Why is it so?

First, we must mention that there are regions, such as the tropics, where high temperatures do not cease during the year, which questions the previous theory.

And also, some say that many clients take advantage of those months because artists tend to offer more promotions with lower prices.

But in summary, what we can say is that, for whatever reason, all artists go through moments of hard work and moments of less.

And it is important to detect them, especially to know how to make the most of the time at each stage. Want to know how? Read on!

How to seize a 'Slow Season'?

You've probably already felt the impact of a low season without knowing what to do with all that free time.

Don't worry, it happens to all of us.

Far from being a problem, having free time is a great opportunity to develop some essential work activities that you couldn't do at other times.

A slow season is not a waste of time, it is a chance to invest in improving the quality of your work.

Let's see why.

1. It is a perfect moment to instruct yourself.
   
   Slow seasons are ideal for taking courses and instructing yourself in what you like best.
   
   When you are very busy working, it often seems almost impossible to dedicate time to learning. The agenda explodes, and you just want to rest at the end of the day (if there is any time left for it).
   
   But this time is actually the best to practice and, above all, to learn new things.
   
   Are you perhaps going through a slow season right now? Then you might want to take a look at our catalog of professional tattoo courses. We offer several options that you can do remotely and without leaving your studio.
   
   
2. Review your marketing strategies.
   
   Analyze how effective the showcase and promotion of your tattoos are.
   
   The main means of communication and dissemination for most artists are social networks. Many potential customers move through this medium, so it is important to be aware of your activity and how it impacts your business.
   
   If you haven't thought about it yet, it might be useful to start by asking yourself: how effective are my posts? How often should I post? How many of my followers become clients? How can I improve my reach?
   
   Making a list of your strengths and weaknesses is a good starting point, as it helps you define the things you would like to change and plan short- and long-term goals.
   
   It is also useful to analyze the type of audience that sees your posts and at what times you have the highest engagement.
   
   Remember that you don't always have to post things constantly, but prioritizing efficiency is better.
   
   This is something that takes a lot of time, trial and error. That's why the slow seasons are perfect to study all these points in depth.
   
   
3. Create new promotions.
   
   Try an affordable pricing strategy to attract new customers.
   
   During the high season, the prices increase considerably when there is more demand.
   
   You can offer tattoos at a lower cost in the low season.
   
   These types of actions can be of great help in attracting new clients, keeping old ones active, and maintaining a constant work rhythm.
   
   So, consider having premeditated some promotions to carry out during these months; without giving away your work, of course, always prioritizing your effort and dedication.
   
   A strategy that works very well for these moments is that of the Flash tattoos, since it is a style of offer known in the sector that usually attracts attention due to its fast and affordable tattoo nature.
   
   
4. Get in touch with colleagues.
   
   A slow season is a great time to exchange experiences and see what's new on the market.
   
   It's likely that many tattoo artists are in the same situation as you. So it's not a bad time to visit other tattoo shops and catch up with colleagues.
   
   Networking can be useful for you to contemplate the work of others, establish new relationships, and learn about new machines, materials and techniques; and in general, inspire you in order to continue advancing in your business.
   
   
5. Explore something new.
   
   This may also be the perfect time to try new styles and rethink your approach.
   
   Sometimes you need to invest in yourself. Moments like these give you the freedom to imagine new actions, both to improve your skills and to introspect and deepen who you are as an artist and how far you want to go as a professional.
   
   Don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild and activate what you never had time to do, or even try.
   
   Like trying new styles, practicing new techniques, or even working on your personal development. In fact, don't rule out investing time to take inspiration from other areas of art such as painting and illustration - explore your skills to the fullest!
   

Slow seasons are profitable too

That the flow of work decreases during summer is totally normal and expectable, since it's not the best time for a tattoo. This is because the risks of infections and excessive sun exposure are higher, so it's better to avoid it.

Still, if you happen to do a job in those months, let your clients know that they should be cautious and aware of the sun's incidence and high temperatures. To avoid any severe complications, it's best to avoid both the beach and the pool for at least a couple of weeks.

That being said, and after giving you plenty of ideas to seize those times when hardly anyone stops by the studio, we encourage you to keep this article handy. You never know when you might need some inspiration to productively pass the time!

And if you're in the off-season just right now, why not invest your time in what helps you level up? This profession is constantly evolving! And the best way to keep up with the times and avoid missing a beat is to hone your skills with comprehensive professional tattoo training.