View Full Version : I'm trying to make $10,000 this month
Thanks for the support and may all the haters stay hydrated with their haterade :)
You suck, VS! I'm hating on you cause I'm an old fart-bag who only wishes I had the physical capability to dance 5 days a week! :P
I'm sorry Susan, I was referring to Scarlett's post.
ViolaStrings
08-04-2007, 08:26 AM
Woo hoo! Another good night! I beat everyone in the club in terms of VIP by an hour!
I can see that I can't keep up 5 days a week forever. I think 4 is my maximum. I'm beat! I'm lazing around with the boyfriend until Monday night.
I'm trying to plan my week next week. I'm strategizing. We MUST work a Monday or Tuesday, a Friday or Saturday, and one more night. Shifts can start as early as 8, as late as midnight, and run until 4 am. I'm thinking Tuesday-Friday would be good, but 4 days in a row? Jeez. Maybe Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Saturdays and Sundays are out of the question, that's boyfriend time, although I miss Saturdays.
Ideas? I need to maximize money while avoiding too many consecutive nights in the future.
Katrine
08-04-2007, 12:17 PM
Start earlier during the week, you'll take advantage of the out of town businessmen. Start later towards the end of the week, dancers will be tired and leaving early, while the drunk guys will be just about ready to get their groove on.
And yes, Tuesday seems to be a universally suckass work night unless there is something going on.
sun child
08-04-2007, 02:34 PM
I worked five days this week, too. Monday through Friday, and Friday I worked a twelve hour double. I dance on stage one third of the time I'm at the club. I'm a blob of lazy jello today. Good job on pushing yourself.
twisterinAZ
08-04-2007, 02:47 PM
The BIG problem here is that soooo many strippers work when they need something. WHHHHY? You're supposed to go to work regularly, just like mainstream workers do. Do your parents go to work 5 days a week? Do they have a house, and money in the bank? If the water heater breaks or Roto Rooter needs to be called, don't they have money in the bank to pay for it? if a strippers car breaks down then it is time to go to work to make the repair money. if they were as responsible as mom and dad, they would have the money on hand, right?
I don't mean to be arrogant, but you are supposed to go to work everyday, and put away part of your earnings. Why is it so hard to go to work 5 days a week? It's not that big of a chore. Mainstream people do it all the time. I understand if you are in school only working 3 days, but again students need to STICK to those 3 days every week.
It's no fun being unstable, and only working enough to get by is a shaky way to live.
You don't need a reward for working 20 days in a month. That is what you should be doing all along. Fun can be had on your 2 days off a week.
Every 8 weeks of so a 7-10 day vacation is in order for those ambitious hard working strippers who stick to a schedule and have some money to show for it.
If strippers work a full time schedule every week and work smart, they won't be in a position where all of a sudden they have to have x amount of dollars fast. They'll most likely have it.
Well for one thing the stress on your body dancing in heels , doing splits, hanging off th pole for 8 hrs a day makes it different than your average 9-5 job behind a keyboard all day. That's why it's hard to work 5days a week.
miabella
08-04-2007, 03:05 PM
well, to be fair, champagne room selling does not involve any of that to the same extent, and one could pretty easily work several (more than 2, anyhow) days a week in that environment. the physically taxing line of argument only goes so far when discussing schedules and stability within dancing.
Yekhefah
08-04-2007, 04:34 PM
VS, I find that I personally do best on a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday schedule. I get my weekends free to socialize with K and our friends (since most everyone I know works M-F) and I get Wednesday to relax and recharge by myself. Usually if I work more than two days in a row, I get crabby, especially in L.A.
Lola Rose
08-04-2007, 08:06 PM
Good luck! I know most of us don't like sharing, but I'd love it if you'd put up a ticker so I could see how it goes! lol.
GoldCoastGirl
08-04-2007, 08:08 PM
I just want to point out that some of us do not have the mental capacity to do 5 nights per week in the club environment we are are working within. I know my limitations. I know that here on the Gold Coast the saying "less is more" works wonders for me since I am working in an environment where customers are allowed to touch me.
This takes alot for me to stay 'sane' and not to become frigid in this type of environment. I am numb a little from it all yet only to a point as I'm still human and I have a threshold. Thus I religiously have Sunday OFF each week as my "me" day.. my lazy day.. my do nothing or whatever i want day. As well as one other day off a week to catch up with bills, banking, "the business of being a dancer" and all that jazz.
When working in an environment where the customer is not allowed to touch me I can work more days or longer hours not both. If it is longer hours, then due to wear n tear on my body thanks to dancing I will take a day off here and there so my body can have adequate time to rest. If it is only 5 hour shifts then I will work more nights easily.
Then again I am spreading myself out between two aspects of dancing and not just restricting myself to one or the other. I devote Friday and Saturday to my Burlesque and/or Private Parties and allow myself 2-3 nights through-out the week for club work.
It is only when I'm dancing elsewhere that I devote myself to one or the other. When dancing in the clubs, I tend to do 3-4 nights per week. When I'm doing private party contracts elsewhere, I tend to be available all nights except generally working Thur, Fri, Sat.
In the end, we all know our strengths and weaknesses. Some of us are "energized" by being around people. Others of us (like myself) are mainly introverts thus find people and pretending to be an extrovert draining .. hence really do need to have time off in order to not burn out.
We all do what we all do. Worry about your own backyard before worrying about other peoples' backyards :)
Yekhefah
08-04-2007, 08:50 PM
^^^ Excellent point. I was perfectly fine (if a little sore) working five nights in a row in Montana, but I can't do more than two days in a row in Los Angeles without suffering a lot of emotional stress. The environment is definitely a factor.
luckischalk
08-05-2007, 02:54 PM
You can definitely do this. When I consistantly try to make $10k a month, I usually work more at the beginning of the month and only take days off if I'm on track. For example, if after M-F you don't have at least $2500, I would work Sat and possibly Sun. Sometimes those Sunday nights can really help you make your goal. Good luck!
Habinairo
08-05-2007, 03:46 PM
All I know is I'm a server/waitress right now, and for me to work 92.5 hours is 2 weeks, I'll get a paycheque of $620.85. That's a 46 hour work week. 46 hours away from my kids, my bf, and just not being home to relax at all. And I get $600 bucks. For me to make even $10,000, not save it, just make it, I'll have to work 1,250 hours! Now, that being said, if I could make that much money in a month, hell yes, I would be reckless with it for the first bit, OR I may be as tight with money as I am now. I don't know. All I know is you're all very lucky to have the ability to make such money if you work hard at it. Yes it's your job, and you should work regular schedules, and don't blow your money away, that's just being smart and part of being a responsible adult. And anyone who is responsible, knows that they have to put as much money away as they can while they have a surplus amount. But also, you have to live freely with what you have. I hope Viola you do well, and I understand your goal, it's a great challenge to give yourself. Thanks for the updates, and KICK ASS!!!! ;:
NinaDaisy
08-05-2007, 04:01 PM
Even in my early 20's I was disciplined about coming in a certain number of days a week, but my first few clubs (in DC) had schedules. Even without them, I would still try to come in a set number of days a week.
However, even though I was fairly disciplined, I agree with GCG's comment about mental capacity and also there were just some days when I'd work 5 shifts that week and my feet, back and legs hurt. It can really be a physically and mentally draining job, but I do agree that too many dancers just don't put aside nearly enough of what they make. OTOH, I've also read that a huge number of baby boomers have less than $25K in retirement savings, soooooo...
A lot of people suck at saving money, but strippers have a more finite timeline, even "career" strippers, so suck it up and save! :-P
shakti
08-05-2007, 08:35 PM
^^Yeah, the danger in dancers not saving is that time passes and they're not working their way up and gaining experience at something that will carry them, workwise, for a long time. If you're making only what you need to get by on it will be a harsh reality to have to start at an entry level job at 40, and being forced to get by on far less than what you've been accustomed to.
The being touched and kissed, and general ickiness of the more intimate but far more lucrative VIP dances is more draining to me than the sore muscles of a lot of one way contact dances. Finding the balance is key, between really pushing yourself to take full advantage of the money potential, and being aware of your personal limits.
vidadiva
08-06-2007, 11:13 AM
Viola, you're an inspiration. I can't wait until I'm completely confident in my hustle techniques to make a 10k goal for a month or even more. I'm not a full time dancer so I work up to 14 nights a month. Last month I worked 13 nights and that was draining for me. However, I made a little over 6k and all of that went to savings. So I can totally see you accomplishing your goal.
This month I made a smaller goal of 5k to reduce some stress on my mind and body. I've only worked 2 nights so far and hit the 1,800 mark. So far so good. Best of luck to you!
One key factor is the clubs that you work at. As Yekhefah said the smaller clubs are a different setup than some big city ones. It is easier to work in those kinds of clubs with a fixed amount of dancers and a more laid back atmosphere than a high powered showclub with as many or more girls than customers, high housefees and money grubbing bouncers and club staff. The stress of not knowing if you will make money or not can be hard to handle at times.
Many dayshift girls work dancing like a regular job and put in 4-5 days per week consistently.
To be able to really maximize the dancing experience a girl must find a few clubs to work in where she is popular, in good with the staff, and where there is a proper balance of dancers to customers. In those types of clubs, it is easier to go through the motions every day you work, and a full time schedule isn't that hard to handle.
pixiepower329
08-06-2007, 05:34 PM
Good luck!!
ViolaStrings
08-06-2007, 06:04 PM
Ok goyls, the new strategy is coming in late Monday and Tuesday. Those nights are useless until later, so I don't want to get frustrated. So I'm working from 10ish until 4 AM. Wednesday through Friday from 9 until 4 AM, because they're lucrative. Dragging my ass away from my sick boyfriend (who I want to stay home with and nurture) to get to work. This is a big change for me! I'm feeding him nyquil and leaving when he passes out!
Habinairo
08-06-2007, 06:07 PM
WEll that's okay, it's good to drug them into submission :P
242_fair
08-06-2007, 06:30 PM
To be able to really maximize the dancing experience a girl must find a few clubs to work in .
Sorry but I really think this is garbage.
I made my best money with a regular schedule working in ONE single club.
People know when and where to find you and it becomes habitual.
Who wants to move around like a gypsy and live out of their car?
You always insist girls need to rotate clubs, that just is not true.
Find one good club, thats all you need.
ViolaStrings
08-06-2007, 06:42 PM
OMG! It's so hard to drag your ass to work on Monday! FUCK. How do you guys motivate yourselves?
Lysondra
08-06-2007, 06:49 PM
^ Drink a LOT of water and then tell yourself you can only pee at the club. Drive holding it really bad until you get there and then run in and pee. Now that you're already there you might as well work...P:
britt244
08-06-2007, 06:49 PM
10,000 should be your motivation!! :P
TigersMilk
08-06-2007, 06:50 PM
Cmon you can do-eit! I even might try your late night to early morning thing.
Emily
08-06-2007, 06:54 PM
OMG! It's so hard to drag your ass to work on Monday! FUCK. How do you guys motivate yourselves?
we're all here...don't ask us!
mollyzmoon
08-06-2007, 07:01 PM
I was suppose to work tonight, but I thought "oh holiday Mondays blow...no one comes in". BAD stripper. I need to deposit all my cash and get my roomate to hide my debit card. Then I'll have to work all week.
Usually I can get myself into work by just saying, from the moment I wake up "I have to work tonight", like a mantra. That said, the most money I ever got out of this job was when I was in love with a bartender, and always wanted to hang out and flirt with him at work. Ironically I wanted to show off to him by proving myself the most hustlesmart, desirable girl there. It was ridiculously effective. I'd work five-six days a week just to moon over him! I need to find a better reason to work though.
GoldCoastGirl
08-06-2007, 07:48 PM
Take a good book to read or something to reward yourself half-way thru the night. You can only read the book or do that something special at the half way point so you might as well go into work.
BTW, Lysondra's suggestion is funny yet it could work :)
Plus what about the 10K? Isn't that motivation enough?
Have you actually made a visual representation of this 10K goal? Like a piece of poster sized cardboard covered with enough 20, 50 and 100 dollar bills on it to equal 10K that you can look at to actually visually remind yourself of your 10K goal? I find visual 'reminders' of your goals/plans can help motivate :)
Katrine
08-06-2007, 07:49 PM
Sorry but I really think this is garbage.
I made my best money with a regular schedule working in ONE single club.
People know when and where to find you and it becomes habitual.
Who wants to move around like a gypsy and live out of their car?
You always insist girls need to rotate clubs, that just is not true.
Find one good club, thats all you need.
I disagree. It really depends on your situation and your style of hustle. I do recall, from other threads, the way that you operate. And that's fine if it works for you, but it never worked for me. I profited handsomely from steams of "new girl" money, and not so much from regulars. I wasn't willing to tell them the shit they needed to hear to string them along. Hence, diminishing returns.
Point is, you're both correct. Its what works best for you..
My whole point 242 Fair is for a dancer to find a club(s) that is comfortable for her so she is going to be able to spend more time there. It depends on where you work if it will be one club or 2-3 clubs. You seem so content to lash out at me, when I am not even discussing the traveling element. I understand the value of being known in a club.
Sometimes a girl gets stale in a club, especially if the club gets a lot of the same clientele on a regular basis. That is when a backup club can be beneficial.
If a dancer works at a club she dreads going into, it will be hard for her to work there full time.
No one is talking about moving around like a gypsy and live out of their car. I take that statement as a personal attack and I have not attacked you, have I? If you understood the types of clubs I work in you would know that girls are only rebooked in them a minimum of once a month.Regulars come to see their favorite girls the one week a month they are booked.
Whether a dancer chooses to move around and always be a fresh face, or stay put in one place and be known, she still needs to be comfortable where she works so that it will be less of a chore going to work.
"No one is talking about moving around like a gypsy and live out of their car. I take that statement as a personal attack"
I really hope it was the living out of a car part that offended you. I hope you're not saying that for someone to suggest that you are of Romani descent (seriously or not) is a great insult.
Though I will add I find the term "gypsy" used as an insult to be racist and painful to hear.
ViolaStrings
08-06-2007, 09:04 PM
I didn't make it to work tonight :( the BF is sick and it's Monday. That's a good excuse right?
:::shame:::
miabella
08-06-2007, 09:07 PM
rom folk are not a 'race', but an ethnicity.
Hardly the damn point. Are you just saying that to clarify, or are you saying that makes it ok?
I didn't make it to work tonight :( the BF is sick and it's Monday. That's a good excuse right?
:::shame:::
Nope! I didn't make it to work tonight because I was sick. Up and at em' tomorrow! ;)
Lysondra
08-06-2007, 09:11 PM
I didn't make it to work tonight :( the BF is sick and it's Monday. That's a good excuse right?
:::shame:::
No! BAD GIRL! Should've gone. My pee trick would've worked fabulously! BAD!
That pee trick did make me laugh my ass off.
sun child
08-06-2007, 09:17 PM
I was thinking of working a double tonight, but I decided against it, because I got about 5 hours of sleep last night. I don't want to kill myself. I'm going to be working some other doubles this week, though. This thread has motivated me a lot.
ViolaStrings
08-06-2007, 09:24 PM
rom folk are not a 'race', but an ethnicity.
stop hijacking my thread! this is the violastrings show! go argue in the lounge!
I'm half joking. HALF.
britt244
08-06-2007, 09:29 PM
stop hijacking my thread! this is the violastrings show! go argue in the lounge!
I'm half joking. HALF.
:laughing: :laughing:
miabella
08-06-2007, 11:31 PM
bah, fifi started it!
This thread has motivated me a lot.
Me, too! SA sucks money-wise, though...have I mentioned that at all?
Sorry for the minor thread jack. But yeah, when people say an insulting thing about "gyspies" I'm not just going to let it slide. If someone said something to the extent of "who wants to be like chinks or N-words living out of the back of a car" you would expect someone to say something.
end thread jack (with apologies). I've come across a few nasty "gypsy" statements in past posts and it's hurtful. I'll leave this thread now. Wish you the best with your goal, Viola.
Andygirl
08-07-2007, 09:18 PM
Sorry for the minor thread jack. But yeah, when people say an insulting thing about "gyspies" I'm not just going to let it slide. If someone said something to the extent of "who wants to be like chinks or N-words living out of the back of a car" you would expect someone to say something.
I knew that "gyp" wasn't PC, but I didn't realize anyone put the word gypsy on par with nigger and chink. How on earth is that even remotely similar? If you're calling someone a gypsy and saying it's because they travel around and live in their car, then that's more of a class insult than a racial one.
If I'm wrong, please explain it to me.
/hijack
^There's a lot of history behind this word, trust me, I lived in Europe for 4 years. It goes back. WAY BACK. Italy was the first place I heard it and found out what it "meant" to them. It is a very racist and derogatory word, especially in Europe. Very...and it made it's way here, of course. I don't want to get into any more detail, though.
This thread is about VS.
*sigh*
holiday
08-07-2007, 09:37 PM
Actually this came up earlier in a thread here and it got ugly. I didn't like the way people reacted over it then and I don't now either and not because I don't agree that it is derogatory but because a lot of people don't know that it is and can be educated instead of yelled at. I didn't know, I grew up using it to mean nothing more than someone who is a wanderer or lives of the grid, so it isn't ment to be hurtful, we just need someone to tell us otherwise (preferably, nicely).
Sorry ViolaStrings, I love your thread and I love your goal, I just really wanted to say all that.
miabella
08-07-2007, 09:39 PM
but romani are NOT a race, they are like being italian or spanish or english-- it is NOT a racial slur in any way, nor comparable to the ones used for racial minorities (esp blackfolk) in america.
black people (or any other group of POC) shouldn't serve as some 'oppression marker' for any other group, as you chose to use them, mileia, as an alarming number of folks choose to use them.
on topic, i am actually curious to know how violastrings is doing on that earning-moneys front.
Lysondra
08-07-2007, 09:41 PM
Yay Viola You Make That Money!!
Andygirl
08-07-2007, 09:41 PM
I wasn't trying to incite trouble by asking, I am genuinely curious. I've not heard it used all that negatively, but it obviously has a history and offends some people. Rather than hijack this thread any further, I'll go look it up.
but romani are NOT a race, they are like being italian or spanish or english-- it is NOT a racial slur in any way, nor comparable to the ones used for racial minorities (esp blackfolk) in america.
black people (or any other group of POC) shouldn't serve as some 'oppression marker' for any other group, as you chose to use them, mileia, as an alarming number of folks choose to use them.
on topic, i am actually curious to know how violastrings is doing on that earning-moneys front.
Like I said, I can only take what I have seen and heard in Europe. Things are different over there. That's why I perceive it the way I do. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Thanks. :)