10 Ways to Find Clients for Piercing & Tattoos Professionals in New Zealand

Attracting new clients as a piercing or tattoo professional in New Zealand takes a mix of showcasing your artistry, building trust, and being accessible where your local community looks. Whether you operate a studio or freelance, these practical tips will help you grow your client base and stand out in a competitive market.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Build a Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is essential for local visibility. When someone searches 'tattoo artist Auckland' or 'piercing near me Christchurch,' a complete and engaging profile puts you front and centre.

Include images of your best work, service descriptions, hourly availability, and encourage happy clients to leave reviews. In New Zealand's close communities, reviews are a key trust factor.

Think of this as your digital shop window, always ready to impress new clients.

2. Join Yada to Connect Locally

Yada serves as a growing New Zealand platform allowing tattoo and piercing professionals to respond to local job posts without paying lead or success fees.

Its rating system helps match you with suitable clients, while private chat features simplify communication. The mobile-friendly interface means managing enquiries on-the-go is quick and easy.

Many NZ artists find Yada a straightforward, low-cost way to build steady client relationships.

3. Get Active in Local Social Media Scenes

Instagram and Facebook are perfect platforms to showcase your portfolio and engage with local communities. Use geotags and NZ-specific hashtags like #NZTattooArtist or #KiwiPiercing to attract attention.

Sharing behind-the-scenes looks and client stories humanises your brand and encourages followers to become clients.

Engage genuinely by commenting and joining local groups; hard selling often backfires.

4. List on NZ Service Directories

Platforms like Builder’s Market or Artsy Local can be useful places to list your piercing and tattoo services for local exposure.

Ensure your profile is detailed, showcasing your style and safety certifications, and keep it updated with fresh photos and positive client testimonials.

These sites act as consistent channels for new client enquiries through organic search.

5. Showcase Client Testimonials and Portfolio

Positive word-of-mouth and testimonials are gold for building trust in New Zealand’s tightly connected communities.

Feature before-and-after photos, care advice, and stories from happy clients on your website and social media.

This social proof motivates newcomers to book their first appointment with you.

6. Networking at Local Events & Festivals

Attend local art fairs, tattoo conventions, or community festivals to meet potential clients face-to-face, showcase your skills, and hand out business cards or flyers.

Events like Auckland Tattoo Expo provide exposure and networking opportunities specific to your industry.

Weirdly enough, these real-world interactions foster relationships lasting far beyond the event.

7. Offer Loyalty and Referral Incentives

Reward repeat clients with loyalty discounts, and offer referral bonuses to encourage word-of-mouth recommendations.

For example, a discount on future sessions for clients who bring friends helps keep people coming back and bring new business.

Clear terms and consistent rewards build client goodwill in New Zealand’s community-oriented culture.

8. Build a Mobile-Responsive Website

An easy-to-navigate website featuring your portfolio, pricing, and booking options is critical, especially optimised for mobile devices since many clients browse on their phones.

Including FAQ sections about aftercare and safety builds confidence for first-time clients.

Think of your website as your online studio open 24/7 to welcome bookings.

9. Collaborate with Complementary Local Businesses

Partner with local fashion boutiques, hair salons, or gyms to cross-promote services and reach new audiences.

For example, a tattoo artist might partner with a clothing store in Wellington to host joint events or promotions.

Such collaborations create natural referral networks that build steady client streams.

10. Use Physical Flyers and Noticeboards

Despite its digital focus, physical flyers on community noticeboards in cafes, libraries, and gyms continue to generate leads in New Zealand.

Keep flyers simple, with your key info, studio photos, and contact details. Dropping flyers off at local hotspots like New World or community centres often yields surprising results.

This approach works particularly well for targeting older demographics or those less active online.