View Full Version : Beautiful Black Exotic Dancers- Y is it so hard to make money?
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dollylocks
03-20-2005, 09:49 PM
hehe...i don't mind being an example;D
I never considered brown hair. That could be pretty. Oh! Maybe a reddish brown...now my mind is a-flutter with ideas!
AkashaM
03-25-2005, 07:22 PM
LOL @ "barbie's illegitimate sister".
lol--u like that right? hehe. i was thinking of those damned annoying black barbies in the 80's before mattel realised that black ppl dont look like white ppl painted brown--lol. my mom wrote them a letter complaining about it.:D
but anyways, maybe i should work down south where i can get some love...i just quit my club--im going to a more upscale club where an intelligent "halfrikan" lady can bank--without the bullshit.
lol. ;)
ps. I'd never suggest that ppl should go outside thier comfort zone for anything. thats just plain ignorant. (bleaching skin and the like). no one can make $$ doing anything when they are obviously uncomfortable---i know that much.8)
siena_b
04-11-2005, 01:12 AM
hey angeleyezxyz, what club is this you're talking about? i live in la and work in a great club but its all about the white and latina girls. the dark girls there have a much harder time. i came out to la thinking that it wuld be easier for a girl of any color to make money. i did better in the south and i didn't work at a "black" club. and most of my customers were old white men. i feel like there's more racism here than down there.
ambilyn
04-11-2005, 04:37 PM
We only have one or two women of a race besides hispanic and white at my club and they ALWAYS make money. Maybe you should try somewhere else.
girlinmd
04-12-2005, 09:26 AM
its surprising for me to find out how many white men from the south love a black girl that doesn't conform to the eurocentric standard of beauty.
i think that all beauty is beautiful, but you just have to know what works for you. i had a man tip me a lot of money simply because he liked the combination of my being exotic features with, as he called it, "classiness and eloquence" at the same time.
i would think that if you carried yourself like you dont like your look, how can anyone else appreciate and believe that you are as sexy as you say you are?
Optimist
04-13-2005, 12:50 PM
Confidence really is 50% of success. I've worked with short bobbed hair, long braids, and weaves and made the same money. I also have been hired at a club with a Euro look and changed to an African look on whims and made the same money. If a guy's truly racist it doesn't matter what you wear you won't get the sale. If a manager's truly racist work another club. Fish rots from the head down so if the management or neighborhood has certain attitudes against black people that's why you're striking out while others aren't. Don't sweat it just work on your confidence and if your cash doesn't increase then move on. Some clubs I've worked and been like a star and others I couldn't get arrested in:O ! So don't give up.
Miss Jessica
04-13-2005, 05:07 PM
SF is very diverse, but unfortunately black dancers here have the same problem. When I went to my first gown club the manager at the time had a stick up his ass. I told him I had a mixed friend that wanted to dance there, and asked if I could bring her w/me to talk to him. He said, "Sorry honey. We try not to hire many black girls because they just don't make money. Also things come up missing " ??????? What kind of shit was that?! Needless to say, I ended up quiting a couple of days later. I just don't want to work with a manager like that. I heard he got fired some time ago (hmmm wonder why), so me and my girl are contemplating going there again.
Miss Jessica
04-13-2005, 05:13 PM
So should I change my look then, because I'd like to start working in New York. I have curly hair right now, and medium-dark skin. Should I wear straight, light brown hair and bleached skin?
Dolly you are so beautiful, don't you dare ruin your hair and skin like that! :'(
Straight hair would be cute, but don't bleach it!
cinammonkisses
04-28-2005, 04:09 PM
Wow..all of you had some great ideas..I love the way you ladies/gents think. My head is overloaded with knowledge of the subject.
cinammonkisses
07-01-2005, 08:53 AM
hehe...i don't mind being an example;D
I never considered brown hair. That could be pretty. Oh! Maybe a reddish brown...now my mind is a-flutter with ideas!
Yea I think the reddish-brown would be hot. You could get it in some mega layers, and then other days wet set it...and wear it curly!
charlygirl
07-06-2005, 09:32 PM
I bleached my hair a couple yrs ago to bleach blonde (a yellowy white shade) and put in extensions, went to work and the white customers avoided me like the plague because it was just too barbie like for them. If they wanted a girlw ith blonde hair they would go witha white girl.
Then I did it red just about the time Tyra Banks got big on television hosting the supermodel thing and suddenly I didnt earn because the red combined with a black girl was too threatening to them (as theytold me).
Then I dyed it to black which I havent had since childhood and straightened it and suddenly I was earning top dollars.
I think some guys prefer that look of the blakc Barbie you see in the stores. Its kind of 'r and b music video' vibe that goes with it. But you know what, theres way too many black girl who all put in the straight weaves and style it the same and cut it the same length and thats whats boring. Different is defnitely best but personality doesnt always outshine your looks in the clubs unfortunately.
I had dreadlocks, though long and beutiful but I know for a fact I could never get dances if I worked with them so took them out.
Sometimes its not really about what you want, its about catering to the most custmers you can to get paid just like how some get implants or wear contacts. Its all godd as long as it gets you earnings at the end of the day.
The reason why women of colour are so beutiful is that they are so versatile in what they can do with themselves.
miss moon
07-06-2005, 11:58 PM
I think black is beautiful.
I am just a regular white German/ Dutch girl, so the grass is definitely greener on the other side. I WISH I had the stereotypical body of an African- American dancer! Wow!!!
I have a friend from Zimbabwe and she is so pretty. I just wanna "ugly her up", But with her there is no such thing!!!
cinammonkisses
07-07-2005, 08:11 AM
I had dreadlocks, though long and beutiful but I know for a fact I could never get dances if I worked with them so took them out.
Charly, why on earth would you cut your hair just because you thought you would never get dances.?
Yet you say, "But you know what, theres way too many black girl who all put in the straight weaves and style it the same and cut it the same length and thats whats boring. Different is defnitely best but personality doesnt always outshine your looks in the clubs unfortunately."
You say to many black girls are walking around all weaved out..yet you possessed a beautiful hairstyle, and cut them off to become the "black barbie" that you mentioned. IMO, Natural hair is beautiful...If you had the right hairstylist, they could've gave you a weave, and you still could've kept your dreds.
charlygirl
07-07-2005, 08:43 PM
Oh I never cut my hair Cinn, I spent 2 weeks 18 hours a day picking it out with a comb!!! (its possible if your determined enough).
I was advised by a girl that if i wanted to get into any of the top dollar clubs they had a preference for ethnic girls to have the 'Aaliyah look'.
Apparently it was true because the clubs that wouldnt take me when my hair was 'too black' suddenly were asking me to start work immediately, yet I was the same bubbly girl who came to audition for them the last time.
A few even had the cheek to tell me if I wanted to work there I should put in a straight blonde weave like Beyonce otherwise forget it. They didnt want any curly hair, definitely no afro, braids etc. Anything like that on a black girl because I was nformed that one girl like that would give the club a ghetto feel (which is hilarious)
charlygirl
07-07-2005, 08:45 PM
Forget to say also that I had decided beofre this to take my dreadlocks out anyway because once they pass your shouders they get pretty heavy and too long to handle (one hour drying time and another to twist for instance).
cinammonkisses
07-08-2005, 07:27 AM
Oh I never cut my hair Cinn, I spent 2 weeks 18 hours a day picking it out with a comb!!! (its possible if your determined enough).
Ohhhh baby, that was some DEDICATION. My hair is au natural too (don't think I ever mentioned that b4) Anyway That was a good long time for you to spend taking those dreds out! How mature were they? I've been thinking about dreading my hair too. I had some 2 strands..but my hair is so curly and soft, they dont really last but a week! :-\
Hindsight
07-08-2005, 10:30 AM
I guess it is different everywhere. I live in the south, and I make more money and recieve more compliments now with my red wet & wavy hair that just touches my shoulders, than I did with my straight dark brown hair halfway down my back. I feel extremly good right now, I am reciveing lots of love from everyone. The best part is how I feel.
charlygirl
07-08-2005, 10:31 PM
Cinn dont dread if your dancing ever. Mine grew like a wildfire down my back and the more they grew the more I felt like I was tipping around when I shook my head. Dreads are nto a fashion show, they take more work than any hairstyle you ever imagined to keep looking hot like braids and is your hairs soft too then you have to go though this 6 month 'ratty' period where they take time to 'drop' and look good.
Its long ting anyhow girl.
cinammonkisses
07-09-2005, 04:56 AM
Cinn dont dread if your dancing ever. Mine grew like a wildfire down my back and the more they grew the more I felt like I was tipping around when I shook my head. Dreads are nto a fashion show, they take more work than any hairstyle you ever imagined to keep looking hot like braids and is your hairs soft too then you have to go though this 6 month 'ratty' period where they take time to 'drop' and look good.
Its long ting anyhow girl.
Oh yea, I already know that. My hairdresser who specializes in weaves has clients who do their "starter" dreads and then she covers them up and voila you got ya weave, while your dreads are growing underneath.
aussiepunkshocker
07-09-2005, 02:30 PM
Wow, I totally dissagree on the dreads thing! The are so easy, low maintenance and I dont have to do anything to mine except bleach the regrowth and occasionally sew one back on, lol! Mine took about 3 months to fully dread naturally and after the first year they didnt even need to be seperated at all they have just grown seperatly since then - 12 years roughly I think!
dlabtot
07-09-2005, 02:47 PM
Wow, I totally dissagree on the dreads thing! The are so easy, low maintenance and I dont have to do anything to mine except bleach the regrowth and occasionally sew one back on, lol! Mine took about 3 months to fully dread naturally and after the first year they didnt even need to be seperated at all they have just grown seperatly since then - 12 years roughly I think!
You forgot to mention how sexy they look on you... and very uncommon on dancers so if a customer does like them you know you'll have his attention and $$$
Mastridonicus
07-09-2005, 03:03 PM
I think dreads can be cute.
I had a runin with them at diamonds in CLE. so please PLEASE, they look so adorable, but smell SO BAD if you don't wash em right <not that I know> You could just have the slightest sent of sweaty hair smell when she passed by.
i think that all beauty is beautiful, but you just have to know what works for you. i had a man tip me a lot of money simply because he liked the combination of my being exotic features with, as he called it, "classiness and eloquence" at the same time.
i would think that if you carried yourself like you dont like your look, how can anyone else appreciate and believe that you are as sexy as you say you are?
Knowing what works for you is the key. Sexy is as sexy does (or thinks, for that matter).
A lot of the black dancers that I've watched struggle in the clubs often tend to overdo it in terms of changing their looks to "conform". Sometimes all it takes is a trip to a fashion consultant that has a good eye for giving a dancer their special "look" or perhaps tweaking it to get that extra edge. The money spent on a consultant will be worth it, regardless of how long you've been in the field.
Despite a man's racial preferences, we are sexual creatures. A well-toned body with the right outfit and hairstyle can get a raise out of any man. For my black ladies, learn the habits of your audience. If you're having a hard time, the guys who visit your club probably just don't know what they're missing. I watched one of my regulars get a man to change his mind by just giving another customer a sizzling dance right next to him. When she was done with her customer she leaned over and whispered, "I guess that you didn't know it was like that, hmm?".
We both had a good laugh about it that night cause she said that she drained his pockets dry - The poor guy.
So keep them booties shakin'...Like they say sometime ya gotta fake it till ya make it! ;)
Ebony
07-13-2005, 02:08 PM
I live in the tristate area and have worked both in nyc and nj. From what I have expreienced I have always made more money with weaves. I go for the Naomi Campbell look and it works since people say I resemble her. I have made the most money with my long curly hair I get complements all night on how nice my hair is. Most customers and even some of the girls I work with can't tell it's a weave. I have had the same style for over 2 years so most just think it's my hair. I have customers once a night who have long hair fetishes find me and just want me to brush my hair against them and run their fingers through it. Pretty cool.
greenlightprint
07-16-2005, 06:33 AM
I think it's just that you're in the wrong club because here in Detroit you'd probably do very well.
cinammonkisses
07-16-2005, 08:22 AM
I think it's just that you're in the wrong club because here in Detroit you'd probably do very well.
See, I heard that there was no money in Detroit for a Black, or a white Dancer...
Greenlight, what clubs in Detroit would you recommend?
Boo439
07-21-2005, 02:20 PM
Hi! I am new to this site and in no way plan on being a stripper or anything, but I have been to the clubs with my girl friends before. (I'm a girl, too, but now I'm married. And white.) One of the last times I went, there was a black girl working the pole with skills that were totally unmatched by any of the white girls there. I mean, she was awesome. She got more money from me than most of the other girls that night. Plus she had huge, natural boobies which I liked! :thumbsup: I'm sorry I don't have any useful advice, but if you can work it, I don't see why you can't make as much as any other girl out there!
enigmagraphics
07-21-2005, 03:04 PM
why don't you guys advertise or have a party? one of my clients has a night here in detroit called nasty but classy they feature male and female entertainment...and They make a ton of doe because they bring the club business on a super slow night and they bring a different crowd because he also runs a website almost like nudeafrica so he brings in that crowd...just an Idea....and the is an observation I have worked with a few clubs doing flyers and what not for their various promotions at the club and they all have the same complaint the girl don't pass out flyers even for their own parties and they are lazy...just 1 brothas thoughts
enigmagraphics
07-21-2005, 03:09 PM
as far as detroit clubs try Deja Vu, Bouzuki (or whatever the hell u spell it), a few burb clubs are good like pantheon real upscale...and a fe by the airport but those are all white clubs...as far as black I think platinum still bangs, sting is cool, le elegant & secret city are not new but under new management they are ok also
infra-red
07-30-2005, 01:24 AM
I know for a fact that it isn't just white guys that are "iffy" about getting dances from black girls. I know black guys that refuse to get dances from black girls, saying "I can get that anytime...I'm here for white girls!".
MinahSky
08-01-2005, 05:32 PM
I had to answer this. It's what made me stop lurking and join. I'm mixed myself and work at "white" clubs and have always been in the top 3 if not #1 in dances.
I dont' look at myself as being any less than anyone else. The other black ladies at the club always hate me because I make just as much if not more than the white girls. Well, all the advice I'm going to give I would give to anyone, reagrdless of color.
1. Don't sit aroud complaining all night. There's money to be made. No one's going to make any money sitting in a place that the customers can't see you at. Take advantage of the fact that they are not on the floor.
2. Keep your body tight. Hit the gym, or throw the Tae Bo tape in at least 3-4 times a week. When you know your body is right, you have confidence. I've seen some of the ugliest dancers make money because they had that "yes, I'm all that " look.
3. Make sure you choose the right costumes for your body and skin tone. If you seem to make alot of money in blue, get more blue outfits. Take the time to see what looks good on you (skirts, shorts, dresses) and capitalize on it.
4. Keep your hair looking good. I don't care if you like to wear your hair natural. It's a fact that long hair makes the most money. You can be Lauren Hill at home. Invest in a good wig or weave.
5. Take the time to get your hands and feet done. Some guys have foot fetishes and it can get you a customer for life. Regardless, YES men, look at your feet. You can get a mani/pedi for $20. You'll make that back in a dance or 2, and it will give you a bit more confidence. There's nothing worse than sitting with a customer and realizing that your toes look like corn chips. You'll feel like cousin It.
6. Go to Victoria's Secret and pick up some lotions and sprays. Smelling good is something that is non-negotiable. Vanilla always hooks them...;-)
7. Walk around your house naked. It will give you more confidence. When you're on stage, you have to act like your Angelina Jolie, even if your Jennifer Aniston.
8. Learn some pole tricks and or get some dancing lessons. They have classes and DVD's to help. You can even get a pole for your house. Pole tricks help your stage money and looking good on stage directly correlates to your lap dances. Costumes work well here. And I dont' mean just a g-string and a triangle top. Get a schoolgirl outfit and dance to "Hit Me Baby One More Time" with your hair in pigtails and a lollipop. (You get the idea.) Be slow with it, make them want you. Bt the time your naked or down to the top and bottom, you'll have your rent lying on the stage.
9. Learn how to conversate and more importantly, LISTEN. The art of conversation is lost. yes, "wannadance" works for some ladies, but not the ones that want a regular customer. These guys need to vent. Just listening and giving back even 10% will get you hundreds if not thousands.
10. Be creative with your dances. The whole bored rub-rub/ change position/roll eye thing is not gonna get it. Eye contact is key. Use your hands. Run them through his hair (bald guys love that-no one ever wants to touch their head unless they're Vin Diesel). Whispher in his ear, guides his hands over your body with yours... it's all heaven to them. If you pick the right scent, they will drink it in and want to be near it-a LOT.
11. *** STAY OUT OF THE DRAMA IN THE CLUB!!! *** If someone starts crap with you, ignore them. Go to the management if you have to. Dont' complain, just let them know what's up and that she's bothering you while you're with customers (or have him do it). That'll take care of it, bring up the $$$$$$$$$. Words are just that, words. Go make your money...
12. Keep in contact with your customers. Have an email address and phone number they can reach you at (prepaid phones are good, or even a voicemail is fine). Take the time to email them at least once a week. An hour is all it will take and it will net you thousands. Business cards with this info on it are good, too.
13. Wear makeup at work. I don't care if you look like Laura Ingalls at home. These men want and deserve glamour. If you're not good with it, go to the mall and get a free makeup lesson. Do your hair as well. Stick straight is fine, but change it up once in a while. Throw some waves or curls in it. Or put a flower behind your ear and secure it with some bobby pins. A little goes a long way. Jewelry adds to the glamour. You can pick up some nice things to wear and you'll not only look better, but you'll feel like a supermodel.
14. Do not drink at work. Sell the champagne, but dont' drink it. If you do, nurse one drink all night or order something like rum and coke. Then tell the bartender to give you coke and charge the customer for the rum and coke (sorry, guys). You'll keep up with your drink count, stay alert and the bartender will more than have her tip. If you need to sell champagne, spread the love so that it's not up to you and him to drink it all.
15. Dont' chew gum (especially not on stage). You'll look like a horse. Either use mints or strips. But use something. There's nothing worse than a dancer with bad breath (ok, a dancer with a stank poonanny).
16. I dont' need to tell you to keep the hair (down there) and hygiene situation straight.
17. I dont' care if you're broke as hell, don't talk about it. Walk around like you don't need it. It's a fine line, but keep your spirits up. The customers have their own problems and go to the club to forget about them. When you look desperate, you won't make ANY money.
That's about it, I think. all of these things will add up to you feeling fantastic. When you walk out on the stage or the floor, you have to believe that you are the sexy woman that you are. If you exude that, they will want to be near it. You're there to make money and if you not only look like a million bucks but act that way. It does not matter what color you are. But if after doing all that I stated above you are not amking money, change clubs. Find one that fits.
Malibu
08-02-2005, 03:16 AM
MinahSky, what a great post. Thank you and welcome to SW! I hope you post a lot more, that was very useful advice for anybody stuck in a rut.
MinahSky
08-02-2005, 11:31 AM
Thank you, Malibu. I get stuck like everyone else. I'm like Madonna. I change my hair and style all the time. It's not really on purpose, it's basically just evolution. My likes change.
cinammonkisses
08-02-2005, 12:05 PM
Welcome to SW sistah (smiling) :hug: Excellent post...it's been a long time since I read ANYONE'S posts in their entirety. Most say the same old thing...:-\
Your posts relates to all dancers..but I do feel it is the most beneficial to women of colour! I would post more but I gotta clean this house ;D
OJenni!
08-02-2005, 09:12 PM
MinahSky, truth to that all the way! Not only does this apply to dancing, but to other situations in life as well.
MinahSky
08-02-2005, 09:39 PM
Thank you for the love. I apply what I wrote for everything that I do in life. You have to believe in yourself before anyone else can believe in you, and people that are looking to hurt and/or use you can see if you do not have self-love (I had to learn that the hard way). Be the best you that you can be. Forget everyone else and do YOUR thing. I used to listen to my so-called "friends". They are no longer in my life and the mistakes that I made by listening to them had long-term effects. I started listening to "the voice within" like Christina says and I've been fine since.
Nikki300
08-03-2005, 10:33 PM
Thank you Minah,
I have to tell all my sisters that work with me all of the things you just said. They never listen, but then they wonder how I make money so easily sometimes. Guys truly appreciate a beautiful and well-rounded dancer.
MinahSky
08-04-2005, 04:06 AM
Thank you all for the nice replies. I thought of some things to add to the list (Mods, if this is in the wrong place, feel free to move it):
- Don't drive a nice car to the club. You are inviting much drama. I've had my tires slashed, windows broken, etc. I drive a friggin' 90's model Escort to work. The girls can talk all the crap they want, it's mine, it's paid for and it gets me to and from work. I can be J-Lo at home and in the real world (that's when I break out the 20's...hee hee hee). Never mind that some customers already don't like how much money we make. Watching us roll out in our Lexus does NOT help.
- Put $100 aside from each night. Then split it into groups:
$20 of that goes to a stash to keep in the house. Get a safe to put in the closet or one of those fake frozen oj cans. When you get home, do it before you do anything else. It will become second nature and when you need it, you'll be glad you have it (brakes always seem to go out when you're on your way somewhere, don't they?). [Straighten out your credit. Cash is great to have, but what good is it when you have to put down 20% when you could have a nothing down mortgage with a kick ass APR? I clean credit reports and I will do a whole other thread for that later.]
$40 goes towards becoming debt free. The less bills you have, the more money you can save. Don't pay that $10 a month on the Macy's charge. You'll end up paying $1000 for something that originally cost $250.
the last $40 goes towards a house, a new car, going to (or back to) school, breasts, whatever. Watching that balance grow and grow gives you incentive. They say that you should have 6 months worth of bills put aside for emergencies. Strive for one month for now.
I know some of you are thinking, "Where the hell am I gonna get an extra $100 from?". Like in Field of Dreams, if you build it, they will come. Stay an extra hour, come early, push each customer for one extra dance, ask that guy you've never seen before for a dance(he could become a new regular), take one less break and use that time to get more dances. I set a goal every night and ALWAYS go over it. If I set $800, I make $1000. An extra $200 is never bad (you've got a guilty free $100 all for you if you make an extra $200!!!).
Bargain shop for dance clothes. There was a particular outfit I wanted that sells for as high as $350. I went online for an hour and finally found it as low as $88. Print out outfits online and find a seamstress to duplicate them for the price of the material plus a little labor. That way, you can get them in the colors and fabrics you like and you'll be an original.
Recycle your outfits. I never keep anything for more than 6 months, regardless of how muich money it makes me. No matter what, a new outfit ALWAYS makes money. You can go to another club (or even your own)and sell your old ones (wash them and put them folded neatly in plastic zip lock bags-this also creates new cash flow).
Don't buy new shoes if all they need is a new rubber heel. It costs like $4 for the cobbler to do. That and some shoe insets can make the oldest pair of platforms new again (if they're ratty as hell, throw them out).
Bring your food to work. I stopped ordering from the pizza place and started bringing my own food. I eat better and save a hell of a lot of money. For what I paid for pizza in one night, I could eat from home for a week(If you spend $40 a week and switch up to $10 for homecooked food, put the other $30 in a jar and go on vacation when you're burnt out-nothing like a recharge in Puerto Rico to get you back in the mood to dance).
Find a happy medium to tip everyone at the club. I was going broke trying to please everyone. I settled on $30 to the dj and $15 to everyone else (roughly $75 depending on the night), regardless of the night (it all settles out, good nights and bad). This is down from $1 per dance to everyone, which for me translated to $200 or more a night. When they start straddling 500 pound guys for 20 songs at a clip, they can get more. When you're consistent, they will appreciate it.
Carpool if you can. With gas prices the way they are, it makes sense. Spending $10-$15 a week instead of $20-$30 is great. It also forces you to work more if you usually leave at 2 and your carpool buddy leaves at 4...;-)
Be vigilant at the club, I make so much money off of prudes. This one girl I work with screams if a guys touches her leg (I know, I know). So when a guy is done with her, I shimmy up and ask him what's wrong. I'm not high mileage or anything, but compared to that girl, I'm Jenna Jameson. He's just so happy to not have me screaming like a little girl, that he gets 10 dances from me.
Dont' assume that because you're not the same type of girl as the one he tipped on stage that he won't like you. Most men don't care, they just like women. Again, confidence is key.
Dance for the ladies. Unless you're REALLY incomfortable, go ahead and dance for the lesbians. A lot of dancers are afraid or don't lie to, so they can't get their grove on. We;re women, they're women and we know EXACTLY how to treat them. You'll make money since no one else will touch them. Treat them right, and it'll look like a "The L Word" convention in the club.
Do NOT copy anyone else's style. You look bad and unoriginal. I've had "ladies" do it to me and they looked awful. Cultivate your own style and be happy to be you.I had this girl name herself my "MiniMe". Copied EVERYTHING I did. She had the nerve to actually be aroud MiniMe's size, so that looked awful. I had to set a customer straight one day when he claimed I was HER copycat. It will not make the otehr dancer look bad, it will make you NOTH look bad and if it's obvious that you're copying her, your money will disappear faster than thoughts in Jessica Simpson's brain.
Do NOT bring another dancer's name into your "Sell". See above. You dont' know what the other lady does. I dance for each gentleman differently, according to his likes. You can wathc me all ngith and you'll never figure out what I do, and vice versa. YOu might mess around and say that you give better dances than "Diamond". Well, Diamond could be polishing knobs back there and now you're expected to top that.
Change your look. I dont' care if it's some streaks, get a tan, get a French manicure instead of a color...do SOMETHING. Get a fake tattoo. Ad belly ring (they have fake ones). Add a Marilyn like beauty mark above your lip. Learn pole tricks if you're not known for them. Spice it up.
Ask someone that you've never asked for a dance before, Or someone that you've asked, but has said no before. I had this guy that i saw like twice a week and he ALWAYS said no to me. One night I thought, "Why not?" and asked him for a dance. He said yes and has been a regular ever since.
Do NOT rely on regulars. It's great to have them, but let's say that you can get a guaranteed $300 from a regular. But there are 20 other guys that you can also dance for. A regular will be there, he'll wait. There are 20 other potential regulars to meet. Add to that definite $300 by dancing for other guys. Even if all 20 only get one. One $20 dance from 20 other guys just added $400 to your knot. So now you're up to $700.
Save your regulars for slow nights. Thurs-Sat are notoriously better than the rest of the week. They're also busier. Picking a slower night means you can give them quality time and usually the men that come in on a "slower" night are there to spend $$$ and avoid the weekend crush. So you have your regular and the potential to meet another one. It always looks good to do well on a weekday.
My last nugget of info for tonight is: I dont' care if the bitch makes Omorosa look like Little Bo Peep. Don't talk sh!t about another dancer. Keep that venom for your punching bag at the gym. If she gets out of line, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. Let HER look like the viper she is. If all you do is smile and say nothing, she'll only hurt herself. I don't are if you get a request for a double dance with her. DO IT. Shut the hell up and do it. Fake it so well that they'll take Jodie Foster's Oscars and give them to you. That way when she's in the dressing room cutting you up, she'll look like a nutcase because you're saying NOTHING about her.
I'm going to bed...
Malibu
08-04-2005, 07:18 AM
Amen to that again!! This is EXCELLENT advice. Even the way you type it makes it easier to follow through. I have pasted it into a word document for future reference. Thanks MinahSky
DancerWealth
08-04-2005, 08:27 AM
I had to answer this. It's what made me stop lurking and join. I'm mixed myself and work at "white" clubs and have always been in the top 3 if not #1 in dances.
Welcome aboard Minahsky. Great posts. One thing I'd like to tack onto what you were saying though. One of the things many dancers (or even business people) do is change a lot of things about their presentation, business plan, marketing strateigy, etc., all at once. With all the suggestions you made about changing color of clothing, hairstyle, nail polish, etc., be aware that you should always make changes to your style in small increments otherwise you'll never be able to tell what's working and what's not. For example, if you dramatically change your hair color from, say, blonde to brunette with red streaks, AND change the style of your hair AND change the style of dress you wear, AND change the jewely you wear AND change your purfume, you'll be making so many changes at once that you will have no idea what's working and what isn't. Perhaps the hairstyle does it for a lot more guys, but let's say the purfume turns-off even more. How would you know? You might blame it then on the dress when, in fact, nobody notices. Get my drift? So when you are going to start making big changes in yourself and the way you do things, make sure you do it in baby-steps and see what the results are like. Polish them, and then make another change if you so desire and see how the results from that go, etc. etc. etc.
Great post Minah Sky. I am a black dancer, and I feel it is important to stick to one hairstyle. I usually have a weave using silky straight hair, and I use 26 inch light auburn, to light brown hair.
Lots of middle aged white customers know nothing about our hairstyles, and think it's my real hair. One time i could only find 22 inch hair and one regular customer mentioned that I cut my hair. LOL.
I agree with Dancer Wealth that changes should be subtle or small. I see all too many black dancers drastically change their hairstyles from wig, to ponytail, to different colors and lengths, to real hair etc. etc. and the Alexander O'Neal song Fake comes to mind. "One day your hair is short and one day it's long, you're a Fake".
The more caucasian the style, the better in this business since we are in a caucasian environment. Then we can compete more evenly with the white girls who are the standard for beauty in this country. Curling or crimping the hair is ok, as long as the basic style doesn't change.
You do get a lot of repeat business in clubs, and dancers don't want to look "fake".
MinahSky
08-05-2005, 01:12 AM
I apologize, I didn't make myself clear. I don't do a whole "Extreme Makeover". When I change my hair, I keep the outfits that I'm known for until people are used to the new look. That way, they know it's me from far away and in the dark space. I don't do drastic changes, such as chin length to a** grazing hairdo or blonde to black. To do a change without making it impossible for people to recognize you, do it gradually. Light blonde to dark blonde to brown to medium brown, etc. For length, you can alternate wearing weaves in increasing lengths with ponytails until you reach the length you desire (when you wear the ponytail then go back to a longer weave, a lot of people don't remember how long-or short- it was before).
Subtle changes are those that make you look fabulous, but aren't knock down drag out. Like colored contacts, highlights or a beauty mark (great when a pimple pops up).
I agree, Tina. Changing the hair and doing the crazy colors and stuff is fine for home, but not work. There was this dancer I used to work with that had a great body and pretty face (not to mention she spent money on a wonderful BA). But she insisted on wearing her natural hair in an unruly afro during work. She didn't make any money and couldn't figure out why... Like I said before, be all natural at home and in the free world, but while you're at work, you gotta do what you gotta do if you want to be an exotic dancer.
I'm sorry, a SUCCESSFUL exotic dancer.
BrainyDancerGirl
08-12-2005, 05:17 PM
Many girls on here are always talking about how they don't hire ENOUGH black dancers. Well, I have a question - what about when they have TOO MANY?
I personally agree with Melonie that there should be a certain breakdown. As a black dancer, if I am in a predominantly white club, if I'm working with 20 to 25 other dancers, I don't believe they should have any more than 3 black girls working, ideally just 2. If there's any more than that, excluding individual personalities and various tastes in types, then we could infringe on each other's business.
Any thoughts on this?
WestTXHottie
08-12-2005, 09:19 PM
I think that the black ladies at the club are great to watch. They are usually the best dancers there and when everyone else is just walking around all slow and looking bored they seem to get into their act. I think their downfall however is mostly their own fault. One. . .if we're talking about dark women in a club catering almost specifically to white men common sense dictates that you need to play music that caters to white men. The "sisters" hardly ever do this. Every time a Coco, or Ebony, or Brown Sugar gets announced, before I even see the girl I know I'm in for some ridiculous rap song singing about fuckin' hoes and dirty baby mommas. Second. . .you can't blame the audience. Yeah, there prolly are a lot of guys at your club that are racist, deal with it. The other night one of the best dancers I've seen had finished doing her set and I was going to go up and ask her how she learned all those cool moves, etc. Well when I get over near her I overhear her talking to another girl about how all these "white crackers in here never buy any dances and how they won't bother to show a sista' some love" then she proceeded to say some very choice things about the white male race in general and I went back to my seat. Lose the attitude and you might have better luck.
quoth_the_raven
08-13-2005, 08:57 AM
Yeah, there prolly are a lot of guys at your club that are racist, deal with it.
Okay, it's early(for me), and I may still be in "morning mode", but wasn't that a little bit uncalled for? No one should have to "deal" with racism. Of course it's easy to say when you haven't experienced it...
And for the record, I am a beautiful dark-skinned girl, I am an excellent dancer, I have a great attitude, and I don't dance to rap unless someone,usually some middle aged white guy, requests it. And I would never call myself Coco or Brown Sugar ::) Having a stereotypical "ethnic" stage name gives people a reason to judge you before they ever see you. You said that yourself,WestTX.
It's true that a lot of black dancers have sh!tty attitudes, but there are also a lot of us who are professional and articulate and still can't get hired or tipped. We have a strike against us because we are always considered "a black dancer" not just "a dancer". BTW, I know plenty of blonde-haired, blue-eyed dancers who have sh!tty attitudes as well }:D
BrainyDancerGirl, I agree about having too many black girls as well. I am very territorial, I like to be THE black dancer wherever I work. My DJs know not to put another black dancer on stage with me b/c I'm not havin' it! Two black girls on stage scares the customers away almost every time. More than 2 or 3 in a night makes people wonder, "Did I walk into a black club by mistake?" Which means none of us are making any money. You don't want to spread your potential customers too thin.
london
08-13-2005, 10:49 AM
The problem with too many black dancers working on the same night is that , most of them could be pretty, articulate, sexy, etc...but if just one fits the negative stereoytype, the others fall prey to getting pigeonholed into the same category. I've had it happen where I just approach a customer and they ask me, "Didn't you just stop by here a few minutes ago?" or "Weren't you just on stage?" and neither is the case. Yet, they probably wouldn't mistake a succession of white or latina girls coming up to them one by one. And there are plenty of bitchy dancers in every color on any given night but the ones who suffer most are the ones who 'stick out' and those that may favor her aesthetically. It's unfair, it sucks, it overgeneralizes, but it happens quite a bit.
I've had a white guy get upset when another beautiful black girl got on stage and danced to rock and asked why girls dance to music that doesnt fit them...yet, she was dancing to the music just fine, very slow and sensual and this girl is HOT. He didn't know that I also like to dance to rock or alternative and when it was my turn to go on stage and my set started (Nirvana), he shook his head and left the club!!!! My point is that some guys want certain women to 'stay in their place', too, so think of that side of it as well. There are TONS of white guys asking me and other black dancers to put on 50 cent, etc...(and they assume you must like it simply because_______). This country seems to thrive on stereotypes....but it's ok because the men who 'get' me and my style (and I like to dance to a wide range of music from Manson to Chili Peppers to Korn to Prince to Nirvana, Poe, Kylie,etc...)are where I get the bulk of my dance earnings.
Some women (and this applies only to small/medium clubs where I've worked) can, on any given night, get dances from 80% of the customers, other women from 50% and some women from only 25% of the customers but sometimes those women who get dances from 25% will put her in the ballpark of what the 80% crowd pleaser gets....So stay positive and keep your game face on because your big break might be in the form of a few lucky gents who see past the bull**** and may even become your regulars!!!!
MinahSky
08-13-2005, 11:07 AM
I never have an attitude. I never play rap music (not my thing). I have the best attitude in my club. And all my customers are white (hell, they're the ones that ask for the rap music, I play Enigma and the like). My name is not a streotypical "black" name, not in the least.
No one complains about having too many skinny white blondes with implants in a club (I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the amount of black girls, either), but as far as being in the "miniority", I like it. Many of the white men like black girls and the club is the only way that they can indulge their fantasies. I stand out. They never put two dark-skinned dancers on stage one after the other (I'm light skinned , however, so sometimes they put me up).
WestTXHottie, no one should deal with racism. But unless you have, you'll never know how it feels. If people started to call you cracker, white ho or trailer trash everyday instead of your actual name, you wouldn't be likely to tell anyone else to just deal with it.
Brainy Dancer Girl, there are about 5 black dancers in my club. Half do well, the others don't. It's just like the other dancers in the club. Some do well, others don't. I don't involve myself in the BS that goes on in the club. That takes away from my money.
It stinks that a "black" dancer has to ever deal with this crap. The REALLY messed up thing is that I CAN'T work in black clubs. I don't "pop my booty", I dont' dance to rap music, the girls dont' like me and the only guys that tip me are the white guys...<sigh>
XoStellaOx
08-13-2005, 12:07 PM
must be the club because I know plenty black beautiful dancers who bank
exotica17
08-13-2005, 04:14 PM
It's the club. At my club, none of the black dancers are starving --just last night, all of the black girls were working (3 looked A LOT alike as they all had pretty braids in their hair)--they all made so much freakin' money, as is usual for them. Most any black girl can walk into many clubs across the country and expect to BANK! It just depends on the club. And from what I have seen, dialect does not matter. If a girl is just herself--whether she looks and acts ghetto or not, she WILL make money.
How come when it comes to rap music black dancers are very defensive (I never dance to rap!) or other dancers are very judgemental ("don't dance to dirty baby mama songs") about rap music. Lets not forget 85% of the people who buy rap music are white and middle class. At my club it's the skinny white girls who play more 50 cent and all that than anyone. So speaking from a factual standpoint , if a black girl should play music that appeals to white men-that would be hip hop. White males are the biggest consumers of hip hop right now.