I'm no tattoer, but I am a freelancer too, though nowhere as in demand as you. I think the key to managing your time is keeping a day or two each week as unavailable so you can use it for rest, your life, or any excess admin work, and then block out plenty of holiday time in advance that will never get booked too. You don't have to use it as holiday. You can use it as a buffer instead to give you freedom to rearrange other work when you need to without making anyone wait a lot longer.
most artists in my area open their books until they fill up for 2-6 months then close their books until ready to open again. Having strict boundaries is so important! Having FAQ and good websites and ignoring people who don't reference it is worthwhile. Energy is so limited.
Entrepreneurship is very rarely less stress or "freer" than a regular 9 to 5. If it is, that tends to come many years into the life of your business. When the self help book crowd sell the freedom of entrepreneurship they either don't know what their talking about or the kind of freedom they're talking about is more about the kind of choices you have but not like I can just work whenever I want to. The first thing my grandfather (a business owner) taught me about business is this: people will say as a business owner you are your own boss; your customer is the boss because no matter what your business is, it's in service to your customer. If you don't please your customer enough, you have no customer and without the customer, you have a failed endeavor. All popular business's, no matter what the product is, face the production conundrum. You have limits on how many chicken sandwiches you can make in a day; whether it's just you and you can make 10/day or it's you and 100 other people and you can make 1010 chicken sandwiches per day. If you have 20 or 2000 customers, your going to have to turn away business. It's not just you and it's not just the tattoo industry.
I’m starting to do the same thing. It’s hard to stay true to it though, at least for me. I’m always afraid of relaxing too much and going back to poverty
I definitely agree to the overwhelming aspect. I try my best to be there for my artists cus patience is worth it. I’ve had an artist reschedule twice, and I understood, but she broke under pressure and we talked for a bit via voice message. I felt so bad that I can’t do much other than be a client who she feels comfortable with, not feeling pressured, and knowing that tattooing in general isn’t an art to be rushed. I definitely have wondered about the of being booked so far into the year, so thank you for informing me on that!
I mean it's a business, I work as a plumbing engineer and we are getting so many jobs coming up that we have to turn some of them down even if it's a cool concept but we have to keep our existing clients happy as well. As for taking time off make sure to make some time for yourself we're all human.
As a software consultant (obviously different line of business), I had to experience turning away business from time to time. I feel what you're talking about.
Yeah if a software project takes six months then just one or two more clients can eat up years worth of available time. One of my clients does that for a living. He says ppl get really mad when he can’t fit them in lol
Weird how some people need to have this explained to them... when I ask my regular guy to see if he's available for another big project (he already did my left sleeve, my entire chest and we've started on my right sleeve), I don't really expect to get an appointment in 3 or 4 months, unless I catch a "booking open!" post on Instagram, which I... never do because I keep forgetting it exists fml. Which reminds me, I'm curious what you think about double day or super long sessions. I hate the healing process and my artist trusts me at this point not to tap out one hour into day 2 so that's what we're doing right now. I'd be interested in a video about non-standard length/collab stuff - like multiple days at a convention, or two people working on you at the same time, the pros and cons of that, shit like that.
I understand everything you’ve said. My only concern now is how Tattoers are handling clients who had an appointment and paid a deposit, but then it was canceled due to a COVID-19 closure. How do you handle that client when you’re books reopen? Give them a priority to book, especially when they have to travel to get to you? Or make them get inline, first come first served, with everybody and anybody when you reopen your books? Right now I’m in this situation and I must say after 2 years, 18 months since I paid a deposit and had my appointment cancelled due to COVID, the tattoer is into giving me a priority to book. They just open their books and whoever responds the fastest gets an appointment. With different time zones and travel involved, suffice to say I’m nit “winning” that lottery any time soon. Meanwhile, they have my deposit while taking new bookings ahead of me. Suffice to say, my patience is wearing thin.
I’ve never even heard of that & I have a lot of ink. If you paid a deposit over 2 years ago & they are not only *not rescheduling your appointment but booking & taking on new clients* then I would be getting my deposit back. I could understand taking on new clients with small projects to fill in some open caps you may have like an hour or 2 session verses say (10 hour sessions) but your appt should be scheduled & on the books if that’s happening at that point the artist forfeits your deposit just like you would forfeit it if you were a no show. I would request my deposit back seriously.
Wow this is SO true and such a perfect explanation. Could I have your permission to post this on my IG? My clients and new inquiries need to watch this. I’m actually exhausted explaining why my books are closed
Going in for second session of sleeve in two weeks, have 3 sessions lined up, and got the itch to hear something new from you today, and BOOM, you delivered!! Keep on dropping videos and hope you’re doing well, taking care of yourself and being blessed beyond measure!
I'm on a one-year long waiting list for a session with a famous artist here in my country. On the other hand, I've also had session with another equally famous artist who only opens her booking monthly, it feels like an online raffle in a way but she would usually announce the theme she wants to do in a month and pick projects that fits the theme.
What’s the easiest way to find a tattoo artist that specializes in a style of tattoo you want ? I’ve been looking for an artist to do black and gray photo realism and I feel there are no good artist near me it’s so annoy
I’m on a waiting list right now for my artists to finish my sleeve and his books don’t open til the summer and I got on it in November. It sucks waiting but if you want that artist cause if his work then suck it up and just wait, if not go find a other artist. And it’s not his fault for me waiting..unfortunately the military didn’t allow me at the time to have a full sleeve til now. I would’ve had the whole thing done by now if that were the case.
I hate turning down clients who's projects I would want to do. I end up scheduling them on my days off. It's a whole ass problem. I schedule a good month with some time off and someone else comes along with a dope idea and I have to schedule it.
Great video. An artist I was looking at getting work done with closed her books and this helped that make sense to me. I suspect that closing your books builds loyalty with current clients. And, I also suspect that someone who has a tattoo already is more likely to get another than the those who are getting their first.
I hate to see brilliant artists get burnt out. THE world needs your talents but you also need to seem approachable. What are the tattoos you WANT to do? Do what makes you happy. Do what got you into the industry originally. I know you will figure this out. It is obvious how dedicated you are you your art and your clients. You need yo take care of you. 💪
This makes a lot of sense man, I did a full sleeve with an artist in the same boat. He even had to start charging me more mid project and I totally understand. Your motivation is only as good as your rate when you’re trading time for money. Best case scenario is up your rates to the point you start getting more no’s and less appointments (in the short term) or become so efficient at your style of tattooing that you start charging premium rates for/per piece instead because you’re a fast worker . Keep upping your rates man and keep posting your best work. This is business, people who love working with you and truly love your work will pay the extra hundred bucks all day. And so will the new wave once being busy happens again because it will. You’ll also be more incentivized to work around the clock and get busy again. It’ll kill the complacency. Love the content man, thanks.
Glad to see you back, you are always dropping knowledge and it is much appreciated. Intelligence over emotion is a skill, wishing you continual growth and blessings.
One of my artists cheeseburgerchampion books on only 2 months. That way he can plan for travel and vacations etc. seems to work great for him plus when i book i never have to wait very long. Very smart
Hey James I love your content. I feel you in this subject. I can even say I'm still in the scratcher phase sometimes because lately I rather give a tattoo for free or I involve in projects for virtually no money because I want to just do that, something absurd for me in other times when I would say yes to every amount of money I could put my hands on regardless of the style or even my own capabilities (I know, shame on me). My possition right now as a tattooer/human being is very particular so, I think everyone is different, in my country the industry is less stable, there's less money, less clients, less interesting projects, a latency of maybe 20 years in every aspect of it, still even myself in my particular circumstances I let go a lot of possible work or opportunities, to choose projects I'm interested in. As you say, there's only a certain amount of time in a person's day or week or month. In my case in order to work I have to promote, so my equivalent to "close books" is to just not promote, although my past/current clients look for me, I please them of course. I personaly right now my way is to choose what I do, simple as that, it gives me peace of mind and time to think and enjoy life. Greetings from Mexico, keep it up!
One of the best things about the tattoo industry is being able to choose your artist. Honestly, the kind of attitude you have and a lot of artist’s with similar views aren’t the ones I’m interested in working with. I pay good money, always show up to my appointments on time, never reschedule or cancel and I always tip my artist generously. All my artists I’ve gone to are organized and never had issues getting me in. This is all bs tbh.
Every artist is different. Everything he said in this video should make sense. It can be overwhelming and just like any human, breaks and vacations are essential.
Sounds like things are going too well!😅 I know I would hate having to put up with people to begin with (says the woman who has the bulk of her work history in customer service🤭) It must be difficult to juggle "artist" with "business".
Dude, the sleeves look good! How long ago did you get them done and who was the artist if you don't mind me asking? I remember giving you shit about talking about pain in areas you didn't have tattoos hahah. Glad to see a new video up, hope all is well :)
I'd love to know how you try and talk to someone who is about to get a tattoo you're pretty damn sure will be a regret and are there any recurring themes with people who come in wanting something covered? (I imagine at the end, you'll just refuse to do a tattoo you know isn't going to be good!)
Hit it on the head. The apprentice work ethic is hard to turn off, not wanting to lose business or turn people down that were referred forward to getting tattooed by you. Those are the best type of clients to get but sometimes they have to get turned down, and that’s ok. It’s ok to have a life as a tattoo artist and not have to accommodate people day in and day out. The endless explanations and consultations knowing they’re going to give me attitude anyway once I tell them I’m booked out a few months or I don’t do small tattoos, etc. It does get overwhelming and pointless to have these conversations repeatedly so closing books makes sense
I know a lot of tattoo artists only booking monthly. And I’ve been tattooing 4 Days a week, so that I always have Monday free to draw or reschedule someone to a Monday. Then they don’t need to wait several months
I am with your bruh I stopped taking clients for a while now and if I do it’s just small arts don’t wanna do huge ones anymore time is so much consuming and not in that mood anymore
Good thing I don’t have the money saved up for it yet. That would have been a bummer if I did have it and you canceled on me. Glad you’re successful though!👍
Love this video! My tattoo artist only opens their books every 4-6 months just so they can make time for themselves and have some work/life balance. Simply because they never know if they want to travel or not, etc. Hey James, what do you think of back to back tattoo sessions vs. Multiple spaced out sessions? I would love to see a video and/or hear your opinion on this.
Right when I start to get an itch for another Arizona trip 🤣 jk I’m so glad you are doing so well, you deserve it! I’ll for sure see you in the future some time 😉
If ive ever respected an artist and his opinions. Its you bro. I completely shut down and got depressed because I didn't enjoy it anymore. It felt like a job and doing shit for money. I closed and did selected sessions. I'm bakk to loving my thing. It's for me, not for money
Hope things are going good for you.people who get tattooed understand what the artist go through.i didn’t get my first until I was 37 and it was a arm sleeve.i knew I wanted a full suit after my sleeve was done.my artist stays booked months in advance also.i booked every other Saturday for eight hour sessions.we finished in three years.sometimes he rescheduled but not many. My advice if you are going to get a large multiple sittings,book all your sittings at one time and leave a nice deposit for it.artist are going to take care of good customers
I'm no tattoer, but I am a freelancer too, though nowhere as in demand as you. I think the key to managing your time is keeping a day or two each week as unavailable so you can use it for rest, your life, or any excess admin work, and then block out plenty of holiday time in advance that will never get booked too. You don't have to use it as holiday. You can use it as a buffer instead to give you freedom to rearrange other work when you need to without making anyone wait a lot longer.
most artists in my area open their books until they fill up for 2-6 months then close their books until ready to open again.
Having strict boundaries is so important! Having FAQ and good websites and ignoring people who don't reference it is worthwhile. Energy is so limited.
Entrepreneurship is very rarely less stress or "freer" than a regular 9 to 5. If it is, that tends to come many years into the life of your business.
When the self help book crowd sell the freedom of entrepreneurship they either don't know what their talking about or the kind of freedom they're talking about is more about the kind of choices you have but not like I can just work whenever I want to. The first thing my grandfather (a business owner) taught me about business is this: people will say as a business owner you are your own boss; your customer is the boss because no matter what your business is, it's in service to your customer. If you don't please your customer enough, you have no customer and without the customer, you have a failed endeavor.
All popular business's, no matter what the product is, face the production conundrum. You have limits on how many chicken sandwiches you can make in a day; whether it's just you and you can make 10/day or it's you and 100 other people and you can make 1010 chicken sandwiches per day. If you have 20 or 2000 customers, your going to have to turn away business. It's not just you and it's not just the tattoo industry.
I don’t know jack about tattoos but your videos are very helpful. Life is a beautiful gift enjoy
Miss you James. ❤️ Take care of yourself. I'm just so happy I got tattooed by you last year. Hugs 🥰
Personally, I purposely leave days unscheduled to catch up on messages, designs or just to relax. A break is needed from time to time.
I’m starting to do the same thing. It’s hard to stay true to it though, at least for me. I’m always afraid of relaxing too much and going back to poverty
@@JamesWithee
Lmao. Same. Its ok to relax. Just not too much. Lol.
@@onlyhalfbad333 every tattooer knows that struggle for balance lol
@@JamesWithee
The struggle continues. Lol
I definitely agree to the overwhelming aspect. I try my best to be there for my artists cus patience is worth it. I’ve had an artist reschedule twice, and I understood, but she broke under pressure and we talked for a bit via voice message. I felt so bad that I can’t do much other than be a client who she feels comfortable with, not feeling pressured, and knowing that tattooing in general isn’t an art to be rushed. I definitely have wondered about the of being booked so far into the year, so thank you for informing me on that!
Thanks for the explanation. I understand your reasoning 💯
I mean it's a business, I work as a plumbing engineer and we are getting so many jobs coming up that we have to turn some of them down even if it's a cool concept but we have to keep our existing clients happy as well. As for taking time off make sure to make some time for yourself we're all human.
As a software consultant (obviously different line of business), I had to experience turning away business from time to time. I feel what you're talking about.
Yeah if a software project takes six months then just one or two more clients can eat up years worth of available time. One of my clients does that for a living. He says ppl get really mad when he can’t fit them in lol
Weird how some people need to have this explained to them... when I ask my regular guy to see if he's available for another big project (he already did my left sleeve, my entire chest and we've started on my right sleeve), I don't really expect to get an appointment in 3 or 4 months, unless I catch a "booking open!" post on Instagram, which I... never do because I keep forgetting it exists fml.
Which reminds me, I'm curious what you think about double day or super long sessions. I hate the healing process and my artist trusts me at this point not to tap out one hour into day 2 so that's what we're doing right now. I'd be interested in a video about non-standard length/collab stuff - like multiple days at a convention, or two people working on you at the same time, the pros and cons of that, shit like that.
I understand everything you’ve said. My only concern now is how Tattoers are handling clients who had an appointment and paid a deposit, but then it was canceled due to a COVID-19 closure. How do you handle that client when you’re books reopen? Give them a priority to book, especially when they have to travel to get to you? Or make them get inline, first come first served, with everybody and anybody when you reopen your books?
Right now I’m in this situation and I must say after 2 years, 18 months since I paid a deposit and had my appointment cancelled due to COVID, the tattoer is into giving me a priority to book. They just open their books and whoever responds the fastest gets an appointment. With different time zones and travel involved, suffice to say I’m nit “winning” that lottery any time soon. Meanwhile, they have my deposit while taking new bookings ahead of me.
Suffice to say, my patience is wearing thin.
I’ve never even heard of that & I have a lot of ink. If you paid a deposit over 2 years ago & they are not only *not rescheduling your appointment but booking & taking on new clients* then I would be getting my deposit back. I could understand taking on new clients with small projects to fill in some open caps you may have like an hour or 2 session verses say (10 hour sessions) but your appt should be scheduled & on the books if that’s happening at that point the artist forfeits your deposit just like you would forfeit it if you were a no show. I would request my deposit back seriously.
Wow this is SO true and such a perfect explanation. Could I have your permission to post this on my IG? My clients and new inquiries need to watch this. I’m actually exhausted explaining why my books are closed
Going in for second session of sleeve in two weeks, have 3 sessions lined up, and got the itch to hear something new from you today, and BOOM, you delivered!! Keep on dropping videos and hope you’re doing well, taking care of yourself and being blessed beyond measure!
I'm on a one-year long waiting list for a session with a famous artist here in my country. On the other hand, I've also had session with another equally famous artist who only opens her booking monthly, it feels like an online raffle in a way but she would usually announce the theme she wants to do in a month and pick projects that fits the theme.
What’s the easiest way to find a tattoo artist that specializes in a style of tattoo you want ? I’ve been looking for an artist to do black and gray photo realism and I feel there are no good artist near me it’s so annoy
Travel. Some of the sickest black & grey artist are in Arizona etc. you can find them on Instagram/ look at their Work
I’m on a waiting list right now for my artists to finish my sleeve and his books don’t open til the summer and I got on it in November. It sucks waiting but if you want that artist cause if his work then suck it up and just wait, if not go find a other artist. And it’s not his fault for me waiting..unfortunately the military didn’t allow me at the time to have a full sleeve til now. I would’ve had the whole thing done by now if that were the case.
clear victim of your own success. People love your work and how genuine you are. hope you are getting the time off you need and deserve.
I hate turning down clients who's projects I would want to do. I end up scheduling them on my days off. It's a whole ass problem. I schedule a good month with some time off and someone else comes along with a dope idea and I have to schedule it.
Great video. An artist I was looking at getting work done with closed her books and this helped that make sense to me. I suspect that closing your books builds loyalty with current clients. And, I also suspect that someone who has a tattoo already is more likely to get another than the those who are getting their first.
I hate to see brilliant artists get burnt out. THE world needs your talents but you also need to seem approachable.
What are the tattoos you WANT to do?
Do what makes you happy. Do what got you into the industry originally.
I know you will figure this out. It is obvious how dedicated you are you your art and your clients. You need yo take care of you. 💪
Whine. Whine. Whine. You should write a book. “The Art Of Complaining, Master Class.”
This makes a lot of sense man, I did a full sleeve with an artist in the same boat. He even had to start charging me more mid project and I totally understand. Your motivation is only as good as your rate when you’re trading time for money. Best case scenario is up your rates to the point you start getting more no’s and less appointments (in the short term) or become so efficient at your style of tattooing that you start charging premium rates for/per piece instead because you’re a fast worker . Keep upping your rates man and keep posting your best work. This is business, people who love working with you and truly love your work will pay the extra hundred bucks all day. And so will the new wave once being busy happens again because it will. You’ll also be more incentivized to work around the clock and get busy again. It’ll kill the complacency. Love the content man, thanks.
mid project?
You need a manager. I am a photographer I book 2 months in advance at most. I like my freedom.
Glad to see you back, you are always dropping knowledge and it is much appreciated. Intelligence over emotion is a skill, wishing you continual growth and blessings.
One of my artists cheeseburgerchampion books on only 2 months. That way he can plan for travel and vacations etc. seems to work great for him plus when i book i never have to wait very long. Very smart
This video is 7 months old James, are you open now?I've been waiting for 5 years now, 😆 just fkn with ya, great video 🤙
Nobody missed your complaining thats all u do
Hey James I love your content. I feel you in this subject. I can even say I'm still in the scratcher phase sometimes because lately I rather give a tattoo for free or I involve in projects for virtually no money because I want to just do that, something absurd for me in other times when I would say yes to every amount of money I could put my hands on regardless of the style or even my own capabilities (I know, shame on me). My possition right now as a tattooer/human being is very particular so, I think everyone is different, in my country the industry is less stable, there's less money, less clients, less interesting projects, a latency of maybe 20 years in every aspect of it, still even myself in my particular circumstances I let go a lot of possible work or opportunities, to choose projects I'm interested in. As you say, there's only a certain amount of time in a person's day or week or month. In my case in order to work I have to promote, so my equivalent to "close books" is to just not promote, although my past/current clients look for me, I please them of course. I personaly right now my way is to choose what I do, simple as that, it gives me peace of mind and time to think and enjoy life. Greetings from Mexico, keep it up!
My Alexa answered your question, too. 🤣
One of the best things about the tattoo industry is being able to choose your artist. Honestly, the kind of attitude you have and a lot of artist’s with similar views aren’t the ones I’m interested in working with.
I pay good money, always show up to my appointments on time, never reschedule or cancel and I always tip my artist generously. All my artists I’ve gone to are organized and never had issues getting me in. This is all bs tbh.
Every artist is different. Everything he said in this video should make sense. It can be overwhelming and just like any human, breaks and vacations are essential.
🤡
As a long term client of my tattoo artist, I'm glad that is your priority!
So happy too see you back James! 😌 no one else is allowed to finish my sleeve soooo no problem at all for me waiting till those books open again! 😇
Can you do a video about with like to own your tattoo shop
Sheeeeeeeeeeeesh
Sounds like things are going too well!😅 I know I would hate having to put up with people to begin with (says the woman who has the bulk of her work history in customer service🤭) It must be difficult to juggle "artist" with "business".
Ay my man, fuck the negative comments that might arise. You keep it real and your art is golden. Look forward to your next video.
Dude, the sleeves look good! How long ago did you get them done and who was the artist if you don't mind me asking? I remember giving you shit about talking about pain in areas you didn't have tattoos hahah. Glad to see a new video up, hope all is well :)
You need to work with Scrum, Agile or some other program. It can help you track what project you have been working on and when to plan them in again.
I'd love to know how you try and talk to someone who is about to get a tattoo you're pretty damn sure will be a regret and are there any recurring themes with people who come in wanting something covered? (I imagine at the end, you'll just refuse to do a tattoo you know isn't going to be good!)
Hit it on the head. The apprentice work ethic is hard to turn off, not wanting to lose business or turn people down that were referred forward to getting tattooed by you. Those are the best type of clients to get but sometimes they have to get turned down, and that’s ok. It’s ok to have a life as a tattoo artist and not have to accommodate people day in and day out. The endless explanations and consultations knowing they’re going to give me attitude anyway once I tell them I’m booked out a few months or I don’t do small tattoos, etc. It does get overwhelming and pointless to have these conversations repeatedly so closing books makes sense
I didn’t really realise how much tattooer’s have to deal with on social media/emails after long exhausting days
I know a lot of tattoo artists only booking monthly. And I’ve been tattooing 4 Days a week, so that I always have Monday free to draw or reschedule someone to a Monday. Then they don’t need to wait several months
I am with your bruh I stopped taking clients for a while now and if I do it’s just small arts don’t wanna do huge ones anymore time is so much consuming and not in that mood anymore
Anyone else's alexa responded perfectly in sync with James's
Good thing I don’t have the money saved up for it yet. That would have been a bummer if I did have it and you canceled on me.
Glad you’re successful though!👍
Love this video! My tattoo artist only opens their books every 4-6 months just so they can make time for themselves and have some work/life balance. Simply because they never know if they want to travel or not, etc.
Hey James, what do you think of back to back tattoo sessions vs. Multiple spaced out sessions? I would love to see a video and/or hear your opinion on this.
My friend got Covid twice as well, dude was fucked up for 2 weeks both times. Sucks man, hope you're doing better!
Welp I'll be waiting for the golden time when he reopens 💯💯
Thank you
Right when I start to get an itch for another Arizona trip 🤣 jk I’m so glad you are doing so well, you deserve it! I’ll for sure see you in the future some time 😉
you have a stressful job, take care of you.
Good to see you back. Hope all is well.
I love this guy lol really intertaining
hope ur well and good James❤️🙏
Love your content bro 💯💯💯
If ive ever respected an artist and his opinions. Its you bro. I completely shut down and got depressed because I didn't enjoy it anymore. It felt like a job and doing shit for money. I closed and did selected sessions. I'm bakk to loving my thing. It's for me, not for money
Great video! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Great video 👍
Congratulations on your success!
Welcome back James!
lookin rough in this one 😂 #trolling
U looked rough our whole life bih 👎
Nice perspective
First
Hope things are going good for you.people who get tattooed understand what the artist go through.i didn’t get my first until I was 37 and it was a arm sleeve.i knew I wanted a full suit after my sleeve was done.my artist stays booked months in advance also.i booked every other Saturday for eight hour sessions.we finished in three years.sometimes he rescheduled but not many.
My advice if you are going to get a large multiple sittings,book all your sittings at one time and leave a nice deposit for it.artist are going to take care of good customers
there will always be issues when creative art and business cross, hope you’re figuring it out🔥