View Full Version : For girls averaging less than $250-$300/night
mbaby529
11-12-2003, 05:00 PM
I have to agree with Jenny. In the town I live in it is very hard to get int the higher more competetive clubs and with it being no contact what so ever, even in those clubs it is hard to come out with very much money at all. Also I don't know if I'm the only one who is like this but, I am enjoying my work for more reason's than the money. I love to dance and even if I work and make an average of just even $10 an hour that makes me very happy. To me that's better than a job where I have to work a full 40hrs a week and am getting paid way less. I think as long as you're making at least $100-$200 on average a night, that is good for this whole no - low contact enviroment.
Miss Courtney
11-13-2003, 11:34 AM
Wow I think I am definately dancing in the wrong country! I dance nude, 6 nights a week 10 hours a night, and if I make $200 (NZD) its a really good night. It is a small town we dance in, but I think I'm going to come to America! :)
HELL, YES, ALANNA!!! Finally someone who thinks like me!!! You so totally rock!!
I live in a fairly small military town where it is almost impossible to make $300.00/night. really am very excited for you ladies that are making the kind of money that you can brag about openly, but I, personally, don't think it's fair to judge the rest of us on how much money we make. I am a single mother raising to small children on my own, so I can't afford the luxury of just taking off to go work someplace because it's better money. And also, to whomever said previously that better girls get better money....I'm a damn good dancer and I work very hard for what I make, so I REFUSE to let anyone make me think they're somehow better than me because they were lucky enough to get to live in a bigger city.
Emily
11-26-2004, 09:58 AM
I think that as long as you're happy with what you're making, it shouldn't matter how much it is. What one girl is comfortable making, I'd hate. And certain girls would consider my income shitty!
It's just interesting what the differences of incomes and expectations are.
Susan Wayward
11-26-2004, 10:18 AM
Quit resurrecting these ancient threads.
LauraLove
11-26-2004, 10:55 AM
Huh? The girl who pulld this up today has only 22 posts. That means she is new. What is so wrong with a new member posting a reply to an old thread anyway ?
devilkitty
11-26-2004, 12:05 PM
in my market 200-350 is GOOD money so think about the diff markets before you start spouting suggs. Nothing against your post it just seems your suggs are fairly obvious.
devilkitty
11-26-2004, 12:36 PM
also dances at my club are 10 dollars
VADEN
11-26-2004, 01:13 PM
Who is really making 250 to 300 every single night?
I agree with Emily...Are you serious? I know if I leave with less than $300 a night I get bummed out big time! It's very rare for me to leave with less than $300.00 every night and I don't know too many other girls that leave with less than that....
;)
VADEN
11-26-2004, 01:15 PM
I think that as long as you're happy with what you're making, it shouldn't matter how much it is. What one girl is comfortable making, I'd hate. And certain girls would consider my income shitty!
It's just interesting what the differences of incomes and expectations are.
Exactly.....:)
JadeBrooklyn
11-27-2004, 05:47 AM
I would freaking love to move to a club of my caliber. but unfortunately my mental and physical caliber is demeaned because i need implants to work in a more high end or executive club.
JadeBrooklyn
11-27-2004, 05:50 AM
my problem in my current club is motivation. my best bud is the top girl' and makes 2-3 on a wkday and 5-7 on the wk end. im not sure how to pin point one issue but motivation pretty well covers it. I love stage most of the time but i dislike chatting up groups of men. its weird but one on one i am able to suck them dry usually. or at least keep them coming back
belieflowr
01-14-2005, 04:48 PM
i dance in kansas and this summer-winter have been the worst ever. everyone i talk to agrees, they haven't seen it this bad in a long time. granted, i only started out a little more than a year ago, but it seems i caught the industry on a huge decline. when i started, i made 150-200 a night. a few weeks later, i got the hang of it and made no less than two on weekdays and 3-4 on the weekends, with a good mix of better nights (around 600)and a few unbelievably shitty weeknights. so the next club i danced at, the outhouse was avg 2 on a weekday and count on 3 friday and 4 sat, usu. a bit more, but i want to be conservative here...same with the unpredictable weekdays. they liked to ass rape us on fines, tho, and i won't be taken advantage of, so i left. since the summer, i've tried out a few clubs and the money just gets worse and worse. have been making 100-300 a night, usually less than two. now i am lucky if i get $10/hour. it seems like its never going to look up, and all the girls are hard up. at any rate, it seems to be the area, because girls come in from other parts and are amazed at how bad it is right now.
basically, i am looking to travel, because i owe money to school and for my car. we are all in the same boat around here, it seems. i have heard that there is more money in Atlanta, Florida, and Cali. So, where do i go? i am basically a decent looking girl with an average personality. i'm in shape with a nice six pack and small breasts, but i have a very "subtle" waist...i have to gain weight if i want a waist...bottom line, i am not executive, gown club material... i'm not bottom of the barrel, either. so, i need to know what cities are doing good right now, and what are the clubs in those cities where a girl like me can work?
'cause from experience, i know it ain't me.
cinammonkisses
07-01-2005, 12:47 PM
[bump] this back up.
Mia M
07-01-2005, 01:03 PM
At my club I get pissed if I walk out with less than $300. In my former club that was considered a kick ass night. I would say that most girls where I work now who consistantly make less than $300 a night might need to change thier attitude. They're the ones that typically start a conversation by complaining.
GoldCoastGirl
07-01-2005, 07:28 PM
Well.. since I'm travelling interstate for work and only work 9-10 nights in total out of the 12 nights I stay in Melbourne... I'm there to make money.
I usually do the early start which is either 5pm or 7pm so I can take advantage of both the low house fee as well as maybe make $100 (min) before all the rest of the dancers arrive by 10pm. Now that I've travelled down a few times, I'm starting to see a pattern arise. I do have what it takes in me to make $200+ a night.... and I know which nights I have a better possibility of aiming for $400-500.
The $1000 a night is usually done on a Friday at this club by working the lunch shift (starting anywhere from 12 noon to around 2pm) and going thru until 3am or close at 5am that night.... another thing I've seen work at this particular club is those dancers who have (at least) one "girlfriend" to work with every time they work (and hence be able to promote "double dances") do well too (as they can easily attract a group of guys over a lone dancer working that same group).
Anyway, my main aim is to make $200 per night - that's about 4 dances. That's my minimum. Once I've reached that minumum... whatever else I make is a bonus however I do aim to make $3000 (gross - before tax) in my time there.
Sometimes I reach that minimum with ease.. other times it seems like such hard work to make any money... however I can easily say that I can pretty much guarantee myself this amount when I'm "motivated to work".
If I loose my motivation, like I did at the end of my last Melbourne trip due to home-sickness, my income does plummet.
lildreamer316
07-02-2005, 10:59 PM
You all are killing me.
I live in NC and have been dancing here and other places close for 11 years. I am not in the best shape of my life now, but not bad after having my first and only child. When I first started dancing you were expected to be the Dollhouse style of girl with your hair & nails, tan, nice long dresses, pumps, etc. The classy thing. When I go back to work at Christie's (yes the chain here in podunk NC)I am now one of the classiest girl there (that's not a pump up, just a testament to how far the biz has fallen). If I could walk out of there with even $150 a night I would be very very happy. This is what it is in small to medium town America now. You big city girls need to recognize. Really.
I have a college education and can talk to almost anyone; I know when to sit down and when to leave; when to drink and when to stay sober, when to play Van Halen and when to play Jay-Z. I can feel the crowd. I know my business. I know when to ignore the girls, how to make them feel welcome, how to not piss off my DJ, how to respect my manager without cowtowing, how to make friends instantly with my waitress, how to get my guy to tip her.I know my shit. I can hang with the best,or I'll give it my damndest (especially when I get my boobs in Sept.!)
I dare you to walk in to my club (if you are older than 25) and go up against these stupid, vapid, classless & tasteless no-talent 18-22 year olds (no offense to you girls of that age here; most of you get it). They can't dance. They can't do their hair worth a shit. They can't talk. They can't walk unless they have on those stupid clunky ugly heels they bought at payless with 15 straps on them. They can't move on stage; they have NO rythym and can't concieve of stage presence. And they DON'T have boob jobs.
They'll straddle a guy on the floor and let him suck her tits in the back room; they'll give him a hand job in the vip. If she's older & has her tits done, she'll smother him and sit on his dick for 30 min. straight while making arrangements to meet him outside the club. And that's being nice.
(At least, this was how it was awhile ago; when I went in last week I made my $80 off an older man who had to go home at 11; and I must be too old for the young guys at 31. I think they are trying to clean it up; but it's slow).
The girl who I trained 4 years ago is now having some $250-$300 nights about 4 times a month because HER REGULARS are there-the night before I went in, she made $50.
You really offend me by saying that I don't try, or that I don't pay attention to myself or my self esteem. My education is good; my mother was a PHD in English and my dad a math professor; I was brought up on Thoreau and Whitman. I know I look decent and have always room for improvement; I never ever walk into work without my tan,nails, hair, jewelry, clean dresses, shoes clean, pedicure.I have professional ballet training from age 5 to 15; I was in a DCI taught by an Alvin Ailey graduate and a state championship flag corps winterguard. In other words, I know how to move. How dare you??? You have no idea!! You also have no idea what it does to me to hear you diss me so; for I do take it a little personally. I take my work seriously and try to do my best since this has become my passion and profession.
I agree with (I believe it was either) Tina or Melonie who said the older ususal guys aren't coming in. They aren't at all; or if they do it is few and early. You have to be lucky to catch them and they luckier to be able to make them a regular, since they have so much to choose from.
I am glad and in all honesty envious that some of you are making what you really should for your work! My attitude comes from the fact that I have fallen a little in love with the biz and hate to see the way it has become these last few years. I long for the days when I was the girl the night girls would not lower themselves to speak to That meant that those girls were the most beautiful girls in the state and they were at my club. They were images to be lived up to,and all the other girls strived to be them. The bar was higher, and I tried to reach it, and have become a better entertainer for it. They knew how to put on a SHOW. Damn I miss that.
I'm sorry, this just got me really riled up. Come walk in my old-fashioned 5-inch pumps (which are the only thing I can bear to wear on stage still) for awhile and see how you do.
It IS the ECONOMY dammit!!!:-\
>rant off
Jenny
07-02-2005, 11:43 PM
LilDreamer;
First, before I say this, I am not being disrespectful, or telling you that you don't belong in a club. For an 18 year old girl without any education or skills, yes, perhaps 150 is worth going in for, especially in a town with a low cost of living. At your age and with your education you can do better. You can get a straight job and make more. Especially when you start counting benefits - and with your kid, dental coverage is going to become important. I believe that the money may just not be there - but if it isn't, shouldn't you maybe reconsider why you are there? Seriously - at my entry level, bottom rung day job I do $150. Okay, not after taxes. But I do get drug and dental. And if I take off my clothes and let people touch me, they are REALLY grateful. I dance to supplement - it's nice to be able to save a little more, and the dancing is comparatively low stress when I don't NEED to be there.
lildreamer316
07-03-2005, 12:00 AM
Actually Jenny I wasn't ranting at you; your posts were respectful & clear--you know who I was mad at;) . I actually do not have to work now; when my mother passed I inherited well, and the ony problem I have now is day-to-day and utilities money; the investments I have are good and I now own 2 houses. Oh, I'm married too. So the pressure is off (although unti 2 years ago I was disinherited because of what I did, so I have had to live on my earnings before)No, I 've done the straight job thing and it's not for me; so many of us in this biz can never really be happy in a reg job after this, you know? But as to the club,,my point is, that it really IS the economy and the way the club is being run.I have a very good grasp on the way this city and state are doing,and I swear it isn't me. There are exceptions to everything, like the fact that CLT is better and Myrtle is kickin' in season, but in general everyone has seen a drop off-drastically. I just got pissed that several posters thought the whole fault lay with us instead of the biz. I'm telling you, it is NOTHING like it used to be, and now more than ever you have to know what you are doing when you run a club. Here at this club they keep getting guys from out of town to manage, and although they may be nice, we need a GM who was born here. This city is funny like that; everyone who moves here says so. We are a big small town, with all the soap opera drama that comes with it,including alot of backstabbing and blackballing.
Sorry to get so into it but I want you and others to understand. It matters more than ever that the club is run right in this shitty economic environment,and when it isn't that means all the money is gone. Really.
Hindsight
07-03-2005, 12:16 AM
You all are killing me.
I live in NC and have been dancing here and other places close for 11 years. I am not in the best shape of my life now, but not bad after having my first and only child. When I first started dancing you were expected to be the Dollhouse style of girl with your hair & nails, tan, nice long dresses, pumps, etc. The classy thing. When I go back to work at Christie's (yes the chain here in podunk NC)I am now one of the classiest girl there (that's not a pump up, just a testament to how far the biz has fallen). If I could walk out of there with even $150 a night I would be very very happy. This is what it is in small to medium town America now. You big city girls need to recognize. Really.
I have a college education and can talk to almost anyone; I know when to sit down and when to leave; when to drink and when to stay sober, when to play Van Halen and when to play Jay-Z. I can feel the crowd. I know my business. I know when to ignore the girls, how to make them feel welcome, how to not piss off my DJ, how to respect my manager without cowtowing, how to make friends instantly with my waitress, how to get my guy to tip her.I know my shit. I can hang with the best,or I'll give it my damndest (especially when I get my boobs in Sept.!)
I dare you to walk in to my club (if you are older than 25) and go up against these stupid, vapid, classless & tasteless no-talent 18-22 year olds (no offense to you girls of that age here; most of you get it). They can't dance. They can't do their hair worth a shit. They can't talk. They can't walk unless they have on those stupid clunky ugly heels they bought at payless with 15 straps on them. They can't move on stage; they have NO rythym and can't concieve of stage presence. And they DON'T have boob jobs.
They'll straddle a guy on the floor and let him suck her tits in the back room; they'll give him a hand job in the vip. If she's older & has her tits done, she'll smother him and sit on his dick for 30 min. straight while making arrangements to meet him outside the club. And that's being nice.
(At least, this was how it was awhile ago; when I went in last week I made my $80 off an older man who had to go home at 11; and I must be too old for the young guys at 31. I think they are trying to clean it up; but it's slow).
The girl who I trained 4 years ago is now having some $250-$300 nights about 4 times a month because HER REGULARS are there-the night before I went in, she made $50.
You really offend me by saying that I don't try, or that I don't pay attention to myself or my self esteem. My education is good; my mother was a PHD in English and my dad a math professor; I was brought up on Thoreau and Whitman. I know I look decent and have always room for improvement; I never ever walk into work without my tan,nails, hair, jewelry, clean dresses, shoes clean, pedicure.I have professional ballet training from age 5 to 15; I was in a DCI taught by an Alvin Ailey graduate and a state championship flag corps winterguard. In other words, I know how to move. How dare you??? You have no idea!! You also have no idea what it does to me to hear you diss me so; for I do take it a little personally. I take my work seriously and try to do my best since this has become my passion and profession.
I agree with (I believe it was either) Tina or Melonie who said the older ususal guys aren't coming in. They aren't at all; or if they do it is few and early. You have to be lucky to catch them and they luckier to be able to make them a regular, since they have so much to choose from.
I am glad and in all honesty envious that some of you are making what you really should for your work! My attitude comes from the fact that I have fallen a little in love with the biz and hate to see the way it has become these last few years. I long for the days when I was the girl the night girls would not lower themselves to speak to That meant that those girls were the most beautiful girls in the state and they were at my club. They were images to be lived up to,and all the other girls strived to be them. The bar was higher, and I tried to reach it, and have become a better entertainer for it. They knew how to put on a SHOW. Damn I miss that.
I'm sorry, this just got me really riled up. Come walk in my old-fashioned 5-inch pumps (which are the only thing I can bear to wear on stage still) for awhile and see how you do.
It IS the ECONOMY dammit!!!:-\
>rant off
I am so glad that this was pointed out. I dance in South Carolina, in an upscale gentlemen's club where we have to were dresses and have very good clientle. In the area where I dance in that 150-200 dollars is a average night. I really love the suggestions of packing up and moving. It must be nice to just be able to box all of your stuff yet, leave your family and friends, and rearrange your lifestyle in order to make an extra 300-400 dollars a night. Sorry this isnt possile or realistic for someone such as myself. While I am happy for those of you who are making 500-1500 a dollars a night, congratulations. However realize that isnt the case for everyone everywhere, there is is thing called variables, which can yeild different results depending on ALL of the factors involved.
lildreamer316
07-03-2005, 12:32 AM
Hey! I fuckin' LOVE Wayne Brady! (just had to point that out);D
Katrine
07-03-2005, 07:04 AM
. However realize that isnt the case for everyone everywhere, there is is thing called variables, which can yeild different results depending on ALL of the factors involved.
var·i·a·ble (vār--bl, vr-)
adj.
[QUOTE=KatLikely to change or vary; subject to variation; changeable.
Tending to deviate, as from a normal or recognized type; aberrant.
Having no fixed quantitative value.[/QUOTE]
This is the most important factor. The variables I see are kids, husband, familym poor money managemet skills, fear.....quite valid. If you don't have those....you can do more than $200 a night. I made that once in 4 years, and management wouldn't let me pay housefee or even tip them a dollar...its there ladies and it doesn't last forever.
nadia69
07-04-2005, 04:44 AM
i have danced in many states and make money where ever i go. if i dont make AT LEAST 100 bucks an hour im pissed. but usually i make well over that goal. and im a clean dancer....
nicole84
07-04-2005, 06:29 AM
To be honest, I don't think any dancer has the right to tell any other dancer how much they should be making, or how to make it. Every dancer is different in how they work, what they are comfortable with, and how much they consider a god night. Now, that said, I do think its fair to tell them to keep it clean(i.e. not extras or other sh*t).
As for things like boob jobs, and tanning....they are for some girls, and not for others. I am a pale skinned, dark brunette, with a natural perky B cup. I refuse to tan, and I'd refuse to get a boob job unless i wanted it for reasons other than work(which i dont). I consistently get compliments of my skin, and my boobs, from all sorts of guys. And believe me, my money is just fine. So, you cant say that A or B, or even C will definitely improve your money.
Money depends on so many things...largely your attitude, and what the customers coming into the club are looking for that night.
Helle
07-05-2005, 11:39 PM
I'm glad to see that most the girls in the Midwest are averaging about what I average--100-150 a night. And I'm the top earner in my main club! I work at multiple clubs in Columbus, OH, and I don't see any girl leaving with over 300 a night consistently.
For girls who travel and say "everywhere I go, I make at least 500" well... Yeah, because you're new. When I'm the new girl at a club, I always bank on my first week or so. That newness wears off.
I think only the top echelon of girls here in C-town probably average 300+ a night, but I personally don't know any. The girls I know who make that much are ones who travel out of town to surrounding cities often.
Helle
07-05-2005, 11:40 PM
I should add... If you ARE in C-town and average 300-500 a night... PM and tell me so you work so I can come work there. Seriously.
Susan Wayward
07-06-2005, 12:38 AM
Have you not been to Pure Platinum? Granted, it's been six weeks since I was there, but my average was well in there.
Helle
07-06-2005, 12:39 AM
Yeah, I work there at least one day a week. My main club is Xcalibur, which is owned by the same guy, so we get sent to Platinum or Plush when they don't have enough girls.
Amethyst
07-06-2005, 05:55 PM
I agree that attitude is a big factor in whether or not you're going to CONSISTENTLY make money. I am sick of dancing (and am quitting soon) and my money is a reflection. I have had fewer good-great nights and more bad-"meh" nights. Customers can tell when you don't want to be there (or, in other cases, are desperate, tired, or sick).
Travelling (when it can be done) helps, because, as mentioned before, you have that "new girl" sheen on you which works very much in your favor.
Not sure if it's an option for everyone, but one pick-me-up I've found is to grab a friend with a similar disposition and vow to keep one another motivated. A GF and I will take a shot (alcohol or Red Bull) together and then hit the floor as a duo for awhile. It's fun and once you're on a money-making roll, you can separate.
AnnaPDX
07-17-2005, 12:07 PM
I know this is old, but I haven't been here for a while. Since I personally like it when other dancers in low-money areas speak up:
My true, honest earnings usually fall into the $80-$150 range, and that's pretty average for my club. I'm happy if I make $20/hour. I work in an extremely low/no contact city and I often make 100% of my money on stage. I know that most of you probably think those amounts are pathetic, but for the work I'm doing (dancing around on a stage) it feels okay to me. It would be nice to make the $500-$1000 that many of you claim to make every night, but I would not be comfortable having any physically contact with customers. I actually don't even like doing the no-contact table dances that I do. Anyway, I just wanted to say that.
Pretty_Penny
07-18-2005, 09:31 AM
i'm starting this week if my audition goes well. i've never made more than 350.00 a week at any of my previous jobs even when working 60 hours. as long as i can make that much each week i'll be happy. of course, i'm only wanting to work days and probably only 4 days per week.
erotictonic
07-18-2005, 09:09 PM
You all are killing me.
I long for the days when I was the girl the night girls would not lower themselves to speak to That meant that those girls were the most beautiful girls in the state and they were at my club. They were images to be lived up to,and all the other girls strived to be them. The bar was higher, and I tried to reach it, and have become a better entertainer for it. They knew how to put on a SHOW. Damn I miss that.
I'm sorry, this just got me really riled up. Come walk in my old-fashioned 5-inch pumps (which are the only thing I can bear to wear on stage still) for awhile and see how you do.
It IS the ECONOMY dammit!!!:-\
>rant off
This bothers me. Why? Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't find girls who have had 85 cosmetic surgeries and spend every waking moment worrying about their looks attractive, especially when they are nose high and too "good" to talk to other girls. You are speaking for yourself. I never wanted to be like them. When it comes down to it, we were all strippers. And there is no perfect, only what is perfect in your own mind.
EffeZX
07-18-2005, 09:36 PM
Have to admit that money was what lured me into this buisiness. At least, when men look at me now , they pay me. Unlike my previous job keeping track of vehicle titles at a new car lot.
Car salesmen are the, well, I cannot add anything new in that department. Used to work 10 to 12 hours a day 4 days per week, 5 hours on fridays. Most I made at the job was $320 per week.
Now, on a good night, make that in couple hours.
However, not every night is a good one. Had several "dog" nights, when I could barely scrap up $30 with me going full tilt.
Hey, how y'doing.
NO!
Feeling good tonight?
Yeh, till I saw you babe.
Like to see me dance?
Only for 20 seconds babe, heck, come over here and talk to me some, yeah, and then may be later you can dance fer me.
And on, and on, and on, persist, and go on. At least, get paid every night, like tonight, done good. Never could say that about my job which I had before.
Lolita86
07-18-2005, 10:26 PM
Feeling good tonight?
Yeh, till I saw you babe.
I'm confused, why would anyone say that? Has someone said it to you before? What do you look like? I can understand someone saying this if you are a 300lb bald transvestite, but somehow I don't think that's the case.
EffeZX
07-19-2005, 05:54 PM
Well, the reference in question was made to me by a regular. He always pay me very well, hurts his pocket book he says.
As for the way I look, I'm in the gallery, look under EffeZX.
Thanks for the concern and your reply.
Vanessa777
07-20-2005, 04:24 AM
Reality check:
$1000/ week, gross, is equivalent to $52,000 per year. And I am assuming that you pay ALL you're taxes, as you should (if we expect this industry to be treated fairly under the law, we need to play fair under the law).
To put it in perspective, $52K base salary is what I make at a day job with a Bachelor's in finance and 1/2 of a masters degree. If you tack on a little something extra for the benefits you're foregoing, you can still make $250-$300/ night and be doing vastly better than the majority of Americans. This is especially true if you don't have kids and if you live in the south.
I agree with the comments about medical techs, paralegals, etc, but you don't make $40,000 a year until you have YEARS of experience. Entry level in those positions is more like $28-32K, at least in my area. Is it something to work towards? Absolutely, and as you pointed out, the investment is minimal. You also really have to add on the cost of health insurance, paid vacation etc, to make a fair comparison to your dancing income (Either subtract it from the dancing income, or add it to the med tech/paralegal income and then compare)
I think your advice is otherwise good. I don't think ANYONE should willingly go through what dancers go through unless they're making SUBSTANTIALLY more AFTER taxes and benefit calcs than they could otherwise fetch in the market.
One thing that needs to be looked at when comparing this to a rat race job, is FLEXIBILITY. As is said in Rich Dad, Poor Dad, having a job gets in the way of becoming rich.
Being locked into an 8-5 Monday-Friday job is societal hogwash. If I had a choice of earning $50,000 a year as a dancer and $50,000 a year in a rat race job, I would keep dancing. In order to pursue business opportunities, a person needs to be able to choose her free time in order to focus on business opportunities. Being able to choose the weeks and or days one works and doesn't work is key in having the time neccesary to work on achieving wealth.
Of course this job is not meant for everyone. For a girl to be a successful dancer, she must be above average in looks, and have a salesperson personality. A girl who is looking for a set amount of money every Friday would not do well in any kind of sales job. This type of person is more interested in security, and fitting into society, than having financial comfort and freedom.
Dancers who are really maximizing the potential of this business should see it as seed money for entrepreneurial ventures that provide passive income without having to go to a job daily.
And if a girl is money oriented in life, she will work on her selling skills and hustle, and move around to different clubs that offer more income potential and the ability to work as much as she wants.
There is no future in paycheck jobs, with a few exceptions, yet I have heard countless younger dancers look forward to getting a modest paycheck over dancing.
A regular job is not paradise.
Vanessa777
07-20-2005, 06:18 PM
yeah, where do you work velvet?
erotictonic
07-20-2005, 08:44 PM
Reality check:
$1000/ week, gross, is equivalent to $52,000 per year. And I am assuming that you pay ALL you're taxes, as you should (if we expect this industry to be treated fairly under the law, we need to play fair under the law).
To put it in perspective, $52K base salary is what I make at a day job with a Bachelor's in finance and 1/2 of a masters degree. If you tack on a little something extra for the benefits you're foregoing, you can still make $250-$300/ night and be doing vastly better than the majority of Americans. This is especially true if you don't have kids and if you live in the south.
I agree with the comments about medical techs, paralegals, etc, but you don't make $40,000 a year until you have YEARS of experience. Entry level in those positions is more like $28-32K, at least in my area. Is it something to work towards? Absolutely, and as you pointed out, the investment is minimal. You also really have to add on the cost of health insurance, paid vacation etc, to make a fair comparison to your dancing income (Either subtract it from the dancing income, or add it to the med tech/paralegal income and then compare)
I think your advice is otherwise good. I don't think ANYONE should willingly go through what dancers go through unless they're making SUBSTANTIALLY more AFTER taxes and benefit calcs than they could otherwise fetch in the market.
It really does depend on the region. Out here, burger flippers make 28K, but it is more expensive to live. You're better off with a 9 to 5'er out here because you receive all the benefits plus 60 to 75k to start with a bachelor's, which I have. It's just not worth the bullshit to dance anymore.
Chaos
07-25-2005, 11:51 PM
Just have to comment on one point - I was a paralegal with a fabulous degree and all the bells and whistles exactly 3 weeks ago. I earned less than $22,000 annually and had no benefits - and yes, I was damn good at my job. I average roughly $300 more per week dancing, and though the problem in my case is a mixture of a) the area (WV), and b) the time of year (we get raided often and it's coming up soon), I am pleased with the result of my career change. I left dancing the first time to find a "legitimate" career, and that was a complete fiasco - I found myself broke, trying to raise my tiny daughter on nearly nothing, and stressed continually by the rigors of my very legitimate, "normal" job, complete with title and parking space. When I came back to dancing, I hadn't eaten more than twice in two weeks, because I wanted my child to be fed instead of myself and couldn't afford to spend the extra cash to buy myself anything. So that's my rambling reply, the point of which is that I think that, in many cases, the main problem may not be the individual dancer, but the area in which she lives. The traveling idea is a fantastic one, and I love all the tips that are given here!!! I guess I just wanted to tell my story. Thanks for listening.
Chaos
07-25-2005, 11:53 PM
And now that I re-read the posts, I see that my comment was pretty much redundant! My apologies, I tend to be long-winded and of a rambling nature and often miss the forest for the trees. However, I can shake my ass, which still counts for something!!
Vanessa777
07-26-2005, 04:31 AM
Yeah, In Florida (Tampa/Orlando) $40-60K is normal for degreed professions with approx. 3-5 years of experience in IT, Accounting, etc. Burger flippers are more like $12-18K.
Given those circumstances, to me the dancing minimum is $35/hr or it's not worth the risk. I strive for $50/hour. If I were to move up north, $80-$100 an hour doesn't seem unreasonable at all.
vegasgirl25
07-26-2005, 09:38 AM
no matter where you go or what you do it is nearly impossible to make that kind of money every day you work. Keep one thing in mind, there are seasons everywhere. Good seasons and bad seasons and believe me good season doesn't last forever. I live and work in vegas and have been here six years. The money is good but only during certain times and summer IS NOT one of them no matter how good you look.
Vanessa777
07-26-2005, 09:51 AM
Which is why you should maintain a spreadsheet and keep track of your hourly earnings over a period of time.
Emily
07-26-2005, 09:55 AM
Which is why you should maintain a spreadsheet and keep track of your hourly earnings over a period of time.
true, unless you don't pay income tax on every penny
nikkita
09-29-2005, 03:32 AM
hi,
i'm new on this site, joined today in fact, i've been doing dance training for about two months now (originally just for fun) and have been thinking about getting a job dancing, to try and support myself while i am at university, but i don't really know what to expect, money/customer wise, i live in the uk so i assume things will be different there, but what is it like being a dancer?
And what is an "extra" exactly, i read one thread about a woman that passes on customers to "extras" girls, does this kind of stuff really happen, and is it really that accaptable?
Maybe i am being naive, i don't know.
cinammonkisses
09-29-2005, 05:48 AM
hi,
i'm new on this site, joined today in fact, i've been doing dance training for about two months now (originally just for fun) and have been thinking about getting a job dancing, to try and support myself while i am at university, but i don't really know what to expect, money/customer wise, i live in the uk so i assume things will be different there, but what is it like being a dancer?
And what is an "extra" exactly, i read one thread about a woman that passes on customers to "extras" girls, does this kind of stuff really happen, and is it really that accaptable?
Maybe i am being naive, i don't know.
Familiarize yourself with the search feature. Everything you are looking for will be answered there. Oh, and dont' be shy just because you are a UK dancer. There are ALOT of you girls on SW actually.
Post into the "coming out" board, to welcome yourself. The UK ladies will see your posting there.
JadeLondon
10-01-2005, 02:36 AM
The $250-300 minimum thing also does not consider the reasons why you are dancing. I am a full time student with a 'regular' part time job, plus dancing 3-4 nights a week. I make $12/hr at my regular job - if at the end of the night, ive done better than that rate - I feel ok. Leaving with $100-300 per shift is fine with me because I'm not living off of it, I don't have any kids, rent, car notes, credit card bills...etc. There are sooo many perspectives and variables.
GoldCoastGirl
10-01-2005, 04:26 AM
Dancers who are really maximizing the potential of this business should see it as seed money for entrepreneurial ventures that provide passive income without having to go to a job daily.
I am just quoting it as I thought it was good enough to repeat. Yes, this is what I'm endeavouring to do.
And if a girl is money oriented in life, she will work on her selling skills and hustle, and move around to different clubs that offer more income potential and the ability to work as much as she wants.
Okay, I "got the ball rolling" (as such) in re: working on my hustle/selling ability when I finally attended the DW training in 2004. I'm not perfect and 'lost my hustle' for a bit (bad habits came back).... yet I recognise those 'ruts' and strive to build a ladder to get out of them.
The moving around thing is exactly what I'm doing as I'm striving to keep my income consistent each month (I mainly have weekly and monthly totals more than per hour or otherwise). So far Melbourne (two clubs) and WA (Skimpy work with shows 'on the side') are on my list. Will eventually give other places a go to try them out.
I'm also going to incorporate myself due to all the travelling. I want to claim the travelling and associated expenses first and then worry about tax. ;) Some more 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' philosophy.
Back to the topic: I learnt this year about how some places which seem lucrative aren't always so when I worked in Melbourne during July or August (I forget which month - I'm a little tired). I didn't make the $3000+ that I did in the previous trips because it was the middle of winter: it was just too bloody cold for anyone to venture outside. I did notice a decline in the no. of patrons that frequented the club during that time. It's a natural time of hibernation (cycle of nature) so I don't blame them for not coming out. We all can't always make $250+ per shift because of a whole range of reasons.
This is the reason why I'm moving around as I don't want to have to have a 'bad' month next year. ;)