Why Tattooing Forums Can Be Bad for You
Forums.
Particularly, tattooing forums…
I can’t think of a single more effective way to waste your time online and pollute your mind with false, misleading information from people that couldn’t be less qualified to talk about it. I know, I know—there’s some gold hidden amongst the mountains of turd, and you might make some good connections, etc. But in general though, you need to understand something:
People that spend all day interacting on forums are usually doing so because they have nothing else to do. They’re bored with the complete LACK of results from their efforts, and so they gravitate to online communities and so on where they can at least get some kind of action, even if it’s nothing more than acknowledgement.
Particularly, tattooing forums…
I can’t think of a single more effective way to waste your time online and pollute your mind with false, misleading information from people that couldn’t be less qualified to talk about it. I know, I know—there’s some gold hidden amongst the mountains of turd, and you might make some good connections, etc. But in general though, you need to understand something:
People that spend all day interacting on forums are usually doing so because they have nothing else to do. They’re bored with the complete LACK of results from their efforts, and so they gravitate to online communities and so on where they can at least get some kind of action, even if it’s nothing more than acknowledgement.
As a result, what you end up seeing on most forums is nothing short of appalling. It’s some of the WORST and most damaging information you could ever imagine—and it’s being portrayed (and even applauded) as truth. I honestly feel sorry for newbies who join forums in an attempt to learn the tattooing trade from others and figure out what’s what.
Here are some examples of what I’ve found in the last few days on one of the tattoo forums I frequent as a contributor:
1) People bashing the effectiveness and overall concept of starting your own tattooing business.
2) People claiming that tattoos are no longer popular.
3) People ranting and raving about spending too much money to practice their craft.
4) People sharing results that allegedly prove that a fundamental tattooing technique doesn’t work (for them).
And so on.
But you need to realize that you’re never getting the full story here—and that’s the simple fact that the majority of forum posters, are inexperienced newbies who don’t really know what they’re doing. So when you see someone saying that XYZ tattooing technique doesn’t work, I tried it, or whatever the case may be—take it with a huge grain of salt. Chances are more often than not, that they simply don’t know what they’re doing.
It’s like a beginner golfer complaining that his clubs suck because he keeps on slicing the ball. Later on, of course, he’ll realize that it was actually his SWING— not the clubs—that was causing the slice!
The problem is that online, these premature and ill-informed truths are archived and readily available for other aspiring tattooists to learn from. This is precisely why so many people are pulling out hairs in frustration—trying to find out what actually works and what doesn’t when it comes to basically anything.
So here are some basic ground-rules for using forums, as well as for avoiding the potential danger of following terrible advice.
Here are some examples of what I’ve found in the last few days on one of the tattoo forums I frequent as a contributor:
1) People bashing the effectiveness and overall concept of starting your own tattooing business.
2) People claiming that tattoos are no longer popular.
3) People ranting and raving about spending too much money to practice their craft.
4) People sharing results that allegedly prove that a fundamental tattooing technique doesn’t work (for them).
And so on.
But you need to realize that you’re never getting the full story here—and that’s the simple fact that the majority of forum posters, are inexperienced newbies who don’t really know what they’re doing. So when you see someone saying that XYZ tattooing technique doesn’t work, I tried it, or whatever the case may be—take it with a huge grain of salt. Chances are more often than not, that they simply don’t know what they’re doing.
It’s like a beginner golfer complaining that his clubs suck because he keeps on slicing the ball. Later on, of course, he’ll realize that it was actually his SWING— not the clubs—that was causing the slice!
The problem is that online, these premature and ill-informed truths are archived and readily available for other aspiring tattooists to learn from. This is precisely why so many people are pulling out hairs in frustration—trying to find out what actually works and what doesn’t when it comes to basically anything.
So here are some basic ground-rules for using forums, as well as for avoiding the potential danger of following terrible advice.
The 3 Ways to Use to Tattoo Forums without Getting Burned:
1. Spend no more than 30 minutes per day interacting in forums. I know it can be fun and neat to talk to other aspiring tattoo artists and so on, but it’s really a huge waste of time, and your time is better spent developing and honing your craft.
2. Believe what you SEE—and not what you read. Just because something doesn’t work for some inexperienced newbie with a sob-story, doesn’t mean that others aren’t making fantastic looking tattoos with it.
3. The masses are often totally wrong. Just because an idea is popular—doesn’t mean it’s accurate.
Remember the 80/20 pareto principle. Usually, doing what the masses do is a sure way to become less skilled at tattooing.
4. Leverage forums for your tattooing business—don’t let them subtract you from it. What this means is that forums can either be a tool or a hindrance. On one hand, you can find the answer to technical questions or problems probably faster than any other method. This can be a huge time-saver. You can also find people to hire, to learn tattooing from, and so on.
If you’re a beginner who is highly interested in learning the art of tattooing, then try have a look at this DVD course. Follow the tutorials laid out in the course and if you have any specific questions, only then should you post them on tattooing forums.
This is how forums can be leveraged. But don’t let the community suck you in. Your TIME is your greatest asset. Don’t donate it all to someone else’s forum.
Just a friendly reminder…
Take care!
2. Believe what you SEE—and not what you read. Just because something doesn’t work for some inexperienced newbie with a sob-story, doesn’t mean that others aren’t making fantastic looking tattoos with it.
3. The masses are often totally wrong. Just because an idea is popular—doesn’t mean it’s accurate.
Remember the 80/20 pareto principle. Usually, doing what the masses do is a sure way to become less skilled at tattooing.
4. Leverage forums for your tattooing business—don’t let them subtract you from it. What this means is that forums can either be a tool or a hindrance. On one hand, you can find the answer to technical questions or problems probably faster than any other method. This can be a huge time-saver. You can also find people to hire, to learn tattooing from, and so on.
If you’re a beginner who is highly interested in learning the art of tattooing, then try have a look at this DVD course. Follow the tutorials laid out in the course and if you have any specific questions, only then should you post them on tattooing forums.
This is how forums can be leveraged. But don’t let the community suck you in. Your TIME is your greatest asset. Don’t donate it all to someone else’s forum.
Just a friendly reminder…
Take care!