This blog aims to dissect the strategies behind Shady_Cook's success, providing actionable insights for others in the industry
The Artist Behind The Growth
In today’s digital age, the impact of a strong Instagram presence for artists cannot be overstated. Australian tattoo artist Shady_Cook, or Angelique, serves as a prime example of this, having gained over 40,000 followers in just this last month.
As a digital marketer, I knew there was something I could learn from her growth, and I want to share what I've found so you can implement some of the same strategies to help your instagram growth. This blog aims to dissect the strategies behind Angelique's success, providing actionable insights for others in the industry.
Strategy Breakdown
Angelique has 4 reels with at least 1 million views, while only having 71 reels posted. That means 6% of her reels hit a million views. Her most recent reel skyrocketed to 7.7 million views, an unprecedented achievement for anime tattoo content.
Strategy Breakdown
Angelique's Instagram strategy is a well-thought-out blend of consistency, personal branding, and engaging content. Here are some of the key elements I observed:
Consistent Format: Each video features a clear layout with a text box explaining the content. Angelique always appears at the beginning, creating a personal connection with viewers.
Engaging Music: The reels incorporate catchy music that syncs with the tattoo transitions, boosting viewer engagement.
Content Reuse: Recognizing the power of repetition, Angelique's repurposes her tattoos in different contexts to ensure they reach a wide audience.
Broad Market Appeal: Beyond appealing to anime tattoo fans, her content reaches a broader audience, significantly expanding her follower base.
Posting Schedule: (Shout out @sourfangtattoos for pointing this out) She is consistent in posting on Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday.
My Key Observations & Takeaways
Consistency is Key
A consistent posting style and branding are HUGE for building your following & personal brand. Angelique's success highlights the importance of giving your audience a clear idea of what to expect from you. This doesn't just mean sticking to a rigid posting schedule but rather keeping a consistent quality and theme in your posts.
Engaging Beyond the Niche
Angelique's approach teaches us the importance of broadening our market. By creating content that appeals beyond just anime tattoo fans, she has managed to capture a wider audience, increasing her visibility and follower count significantly. Her work is in places other artists are ignoring, making it easier for her to convert viewers into clients because there is less competition.
Reusing tattoos
Angelique is not afraid of posting the same tattoo 3, 4, or even sometimes even 5 times. By putting the tattoo in different context, it is received differently and reaches a different audience who didn't see it before.
What Can You Implement To Boost Your Instagram
Define Your Posting Style
Identify and maintain a posting style that suits you and your work. This consistency is key in building a recognizable personal brand on Instagram. Brand is what separates you from other artists. There are thousands of amazing tattoo artists, but what sets you apart is what you stand for, and what type of client you want to attract.
Engage a Wider Audience
Think about how your content can appeal to not just anime tattoo enthusiasts but also a broader audience. This approach helps in attracting more followers and expanding your reach. Instead of just anime tattoo fans, try making content for anime fans that subtly include your work.
Reuse your tattoos
Don't be afraid to include older tattoos in a new post if the context has changed. Only you know the type of work you're looking to attract, so don't feel like people will get tired of seeing the same thing over and over. Things are consumed in the context they are presented, so as long as you change the type of post "ie: One Piece tattoos -> Tattoos I'm proud of -> 5 largest tattoos I've ever done" All of those could include the same Luffy tattoo, but it'll still be seen as new, refreshing, and engaging.
Final Thoughts
When I started researching Angelique's massive growth I expected advanced algorithm tricks that no one else was using. I mean, 40,000 followers without ads is BONKERS.
But after, I think Angelique has just mastered the basics. By showing who she is, she is building her personal brand. By tapping into the broader market she's pulling people into her world and building a cult like following. All while being one of the best artists on the planet. A recipe for success if you ask me. Angelique you are amazing and an inspiration, keep crushing!
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