Hitting 90% Client Conversion: Lessons from a Successful Tattoo Artist

“I made a decision to work with bookings only on my mailing list…and I have to say 90% of those messages convert into actual bookings and actual tattoos.”

- Daniele Lugli

Meet Daniele Lugli, a Brazilian tattoo artist based in Melbourne, Australia, who creates stunning botanical and nature-inspired tattoos. What started as a hobby in botanical illustration quickly transformed into a career when Daniele realized she could bring her artwork to life and give it lasting, personal meaning.

Daniele’s favorite part of tattooing? Helping people feel confident in their own skin. For her, it’s not just about the tattoos—it’s about the connection she builds with each client, something no sketchbook or blank canvas could ever replace.

Curious about how Daniele turns inquiries into appointments? Let’s take a look at how she uses her go-to tattoo scheduling app, YouCanBookMe (YCBM), to keep her ink and bookings flowing smoothly.

Why YouCanBookMe: Daniele’s story

The problem

In an appointment-based industry like tattooing, client bookings are the backbone of your business. Knowing who your clients are, when they're coming in, and what designs you'll be working on is essential. 

And before YouCanBookMe? Managing client appointments was severely cutting into Daniele’s creative time. 

“​​Before YouCanBookMe, I had at least 20 emails back and forth trying to find a time to book that tattoo between me and the client.” - Daniele Lugli

The back-and-forth was exhausting. As Daniele explains, it took “so much time and so much energy” just coordinating appointments. And the process was especially tricky because no two appointments were the same.

“The tricky thing is that I can have a one-hour appointment for a tiny tattoo, or I can have an eight-hour appointment for a sleeve.” - Daniele Lugli

That huge range meant juggling schedules felt impossible, leaving her little time to focus on designing, prepping, or simply enjoying her work.

Offload the admin work on us

Stop spending time on scheduling. Let YouCanBookMe automate the booking process from start to finish.

The solution

Once Daniele started using YouCanBookMe, “it saved me so many back and forth emails,” which, as she explains, were “the least favorite part of my job.”

Aside from just saving time, YouCanBookMe gave her the flexibility and customization she needed to simplify her booking process without losing that personal touch her clients love.

Before landing on YCBM, Daniele tried other tools, like Square, but they didn’t meet her needs. “What put me off with Square is that it’s not very customizable at all,” she says. With YouCanBookMe, she found a tool that let her express both her creativity and style. 

“I like the personalization of the booking page, so it's consistent with my visual identity,” Daniele explains. “I come from a design background, so it needs to look nice.”

But it’s not just about appearances. Daniele values how YCBM lets her write her own emails and notifications, making sure her communication stays friendly and on-brand. “It’s important to have the same kind of language... it's an automated email, but you still want it to have your tone,” she adds.

Now, instead of stressing over emails or rigid tools that don’t work for her, Daniele has a setup that saves her time and keeps everything feeling professional yet personal!

The outcome

With YouCanBookMe, Daniele’s schedule now runs like clockwork. 

After an initial conversation with a client, Daniele sends a booking link based on the appointment length. Clients click the link, choose a time, and once Daniele accepts, they receive an immediate confirmation. 

Next, a reminder email with all the details is sent 36 hours before the appointment, and after the session, clients get follow-up emails with aftercare instructions!

And Daniele’s clients? They love this smooth booking experience:

“Clients think it's easier to find the time when they have the ability to look at my calendar. They feel like it’s very professional, which is something that is important because some people still have this stigma with tattooing.” - Daniele Lugli

Daniele also appreciates how easy it is to adapt her system when she travels for work. “I go to New Zealand to work for a few days in a tattoo studio there and then I create a booking page just for that visit,” she says.

YouCanBookMe’s time zone scheduler keeps everything clear for her clients, no matter where she’s working, while her Melbourne bookings stay on track.

Thanks to YouCanBookMe, Daniele has peace of mind. She’s free to focus on creating amazing tattoos and connecting with her clients, knowing that her schedule is running in the background—exactly the way she wants it to.

A deep dive into Daniele’s booking page

Daniele’s booking page includes:

• 15 different appointment types— including a consultation, touch-up, and tattoo sessions ranging from 1 hour to a full day
• Her logo and brand colors

• A footer with contact info in case of any questions
• Disclaimer that her booking page is exclusively for clients who have been in contact via email, and that sessions require both a deposit and meeting confirmation
• A booking form with a mandatory checkbox confirming the booker is 18 or over 👇

✨ Bonus ✨ Learn from the pros—Daniele’s top business advice

1. Email works better than social media

Daniele Lugli isn’t afraid to go against the grain when it comes to running her business. While most people focus heavily on social media, she’s found that email is a much better way to stay in touch with her clients. 

“Opting into my mailing list gave me back control over communication with my clients because we know that even though you may have so many followers on social media, they don't necessarily see your content all the time. The delivery is not what it used to be.” - Daniele Lugli

Her email list keeps everything centralized and gives her full control over client communication—no algorithms involved. Plus, it helps her avoid the constant pressure to churn out social media content. 

“Oh, you must be on social media and you must do reels and you must be on TikTok. But for me, the kind of work that I do and the profile of the clients that I know that I have…I feel like the good old email does work.” - Daniele Lugli

2. Saying “no” to say “yes” to the right clients

One of Daniele’s most significant decisions was to solely take on projects that align with her expertise and artistic vision. “If the client waited weeks or months to try to get a booking with me, I'll do my best to say yes to the request,” she says. “But I will say no if I think another tattoo artist will do a better job.” 

This commitment to quality means she only takes on projects that truly fit with both her experience and niche. And while it’s tough to turn people away, she knows that lead qualification is the right call to ensure every client gets the best possible tattoo, especially since Daniele gets most of her clients from referrals and word of mouth.

“In the end, it's more sustainable to have a very niche, good quality product that you can price for quality instead of trying to get a high volume of clients.” - Daniele Lugli

Tattooing without the (scheduling) pain

Daniele Lugli’s thoughtful approach to her business has made all the difference. By being intentional with her bookings and focusing on clients who truly value her work, she’s created a business that not only runs smoothly but also feels genuinely rewarding.

Making the process easier for both herself and her clients has been key to her success. With YouCanBookMe, Daniele takes the stress out of scheduling and focuses on what she loves—creating beautiful tattoos and connecting with her clients. 

Ready to do the same? Try YouCanBookMe for free (no credit card required!) to see the difference it can make. 💃