Re: Too NICE to make money?
Last night, I had one for the ages as far as being "pushy". I had a customer in from Canada who had serious $$$ to spend - but he was smart. He left his credit card back in his hotel room to avoid spending more than $50 in the club. I talked very candidly about how much fun our VIP area is, teased with the promise of more privacy and more contact (which is how my club works - more privacy = more contact) and got him really regretting not bringing more money.
I told him that since I'd been sitting with him for over an hour (he was tipping on stage and had bought a bottle and had me drinking with him) he was going to leave his passport and the rest of his cash with me, and his friend was going to stay at the club while he took the club complimentary limo back to his hotel room and got his cards because I deserved a VIP and a bigger tip for my time.
He actually went. And actually came back. And actually spent the money. }:D It's a risky business, but hey - on a Sunday night I made more money than almost anyone that shift besides the girls with regulars.
Lines like, "What, I'm not worth $20?"
"You need a dance. Yes, you do. Come on. No, I'm not talking no for an answer. You're coming with me to the ATM, and then I'm taking you in back. You won't regret it."
"Your friends have all gotten dances. Come on, you're getting one too."
Get your money up front, and do your thing. Just don't take "no" for an answer. But - if it's a lost cause, you'll know quickly. Just laugh it off and move on. It's a whole lot of grabbing their hand and dragging them in back, nodding your head when you ask for a dance to add the suggestion of "yes", etc.
There are some amazing hustlers on this board - I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice!
Re: Too NICE to make money?
It sounds like you are doing two things wrong:
1. you are pushing the Friendship Hot Button too early
2. you are not using the proper speech patterns to get him to say yes.
Its not about being "bitchy" versus being "nice."
Sales and Persuasion are skills that you CAN learn, practice and implement.
Re: Too NICE to make money?
Don't stop being nice...I used to think that being nice and buddy and buddy prior to making the sale would lead up to me making more money, I have since that learned that a more demanding attitude initially helps to make the initial sale then once they see how " nice" and easy to talk to I am the money keeps rolling. Always be polite but just look at the customer as if u know he is going to spend, instead of looking at it from an intimidated standpoint of " I hope he spends". I don't know if I really made any sense but take what u will
Re: Too NICE to make money?
I have the same habit! I make nice, tell jokes, and then I'm in the friend zone. Or, I sell myself short by cutting dances when I should have kept going out of concern for their wallets. And wasted too much time with non-spenders when they get clingly to friendly conversation. I also have almost no ability to tell who will come back and spend, and who's bullshitting me.
Do you sit down with them too soon? Sometimes I felt like I was the "warm up" before a better hustler swooped in. I get the dude in a good mood, chatting and laughing, then forget how to close a sale - or worry too much about asking too soon.
It does feel like asking for a dance will be the end of a conversation, or insulting to the customer sometimes.
Re: Too NICE to make money?
I agree that you do have to be somewhat agressive. What I do is I never give him the option to say no and when and if he does I play with the rejection. You have to ask them open ended questions to gage not only what type of girl they are looking for but also if they have money, what type of personality they are and what they are going to buy. You NEVER want to Ask wanna dance? can I sit with you etc you always want to assume the sale.
When you walk up ALWAYS introduce yourself. " Hi my name is (your name) you wouldn't mind if I joined you would you." (nod) then when you sit with him/her/them always assume they are going to buy it sounds like you are not only being too friendly but you are doubting yourself, confidence is the key here you have to know and act like you are the fantasy he can't wait to give money to.
As soon as the sale is agreed to you want to ALWAYS upsell. How long have you been dancing? I myself have been doing this for a little over 6 years experience does work a ton. It is not that you are being to "nice" because you want to build rapport wtih your customers its that you have to re-word your speech patterns.
I also HIGHLY suggest stripandgrowrich.com. I'm not kidding when I say it has doubled my earnings.
Re: Too NICE to make money?
I find it's good to get them in the frame of mind of saying yes. Start the conversation with positive things, and try and frame any questions you ask so as to elicit a yes. Use phrases like "Are you ready to go to the back for some fun/get a naughty dance?" rather than "Wanna dance?" to encourage a yes.
If they say no, gauge their response. If they seem undecided, ask if they want to wait til they finish their drink. If someone says no though, I generally just smile, get up, and tell them to enjoy their night and to come find me if they change their mind. I'd rather not waste my time trying to convince them when I could be selling dances easily to someone who wants them. If it's dead and they didn't seem to adamant about their no, I might walk by them again later and ask if they're ready for a dance.
ETA: I second (third?) the recommendation of sales books. A lot of those techniques can be applied to the club. It's just a matter of figuring out how to tweak them a bit and make them work for the different environment.
Re: Too NICE to make money?
I never use the "Wanna dance" line even if I was already talking to the guy for awhile.. I think it sets back the guy mind into money talk instead. You can always be nice, get them to talk and smile then get closer to the sales point and say something like "Let's go have some private time" Thats not a question but the answer. Dont give them time to think. I always think nicer girls with that demand aspect goes longer than just a bitchy personality.
Re: Too NICE to make money?
don't let them see you as a friend. you can be nice and friendly but don't act like you're their friend. if you want people to like you then be yourself BUT if you want people to spend $$$ then be whatever they want you to be.
I had that problem when I started dancing and then I totally re-vamped my stripper persona. focus on being sexy, flirty, naughty, and slutty (I don't mean doing extras but have a slutty personality) it helps to give yourself a pep talk in the mirror. "I'm a sexy little stripper and all those men out there want a piece!" you want your conversation to be friendly but you need to make them think that a lap dance would be more fun than sitting and talking. tell the guy how much FUN you have working and if all he wants to do is sit at the bar and drink then that's not very fun for you. don't be mean though say something like "well it was great talking to you but I need to go get naughty with someone or I'm gonna go crazy!" *wink*
if you focus on making yourself seem sexy and desireable you won't act "too nice"