Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
The manager loves me, I've got a babyface, a curvy (but fit) body, large natural breasts and an overall lolita/girl next door look. I haven't started yet but I am having second thoughts...I need to work 3 8 hour shifts a week, and the manager needs $130 from me a night! How am I even going to make that much money? Shoes and costumes alone will be hundreds...I've had 10 years of dance lessons (classical and jazz) but I doubt that will help. I'm just so scared that I'll end up in debt, but a huge part of me loves showing off my body. Any advice for a newbie that's terrified:(?
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
130 a night seems like an odd number but if you will be making 3-5+ xs more then no biggie if you only walk out with that much or only double well then you might consider going to another club with lower house fees. Outfits & shoes you should start out with the basics & build up more once you start getting regulars & before others even remember what you were wearing as 3 good outfits could last you a few weeks/ a month if you only work 3 shifts & you switch what shifts you wear them in.
Good luck & don't worry pretty much try it out & look around you at the standards of the other girls there, what they are making, ect..ect if you can cut it good for you--most of the times newbies especially young & fairly good looking types get a few weeks of luck with the clubs regulars that always try out the fresh meat so that in itself can work in yr favor just pick up on yr sells customer interaction & you should do good. Actual dance skills can help, but are not required. Plus you will pick up on the different between stripclub dancing & the other styles you are used too.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Grow a pair of brass ones if you're going to be in this business or sit on the sidelines. This isn't a business where you can be timid and shy. You're going to have fucking assholes trying to pull all kinds of shady shit. You being fresh meat plus if you're as scared as you say you are they can sense the blood in the water.
This industry isn't for everyone, and I'm sure nobody will hold it against you if you decide that it's not the right choice for you.
But if you decide that you're going to be in this business it's dog eat dog. The competition is fierce, and pickings are slim.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tempest666
Grow a pair of brass ones if you're going to be in this business or sit on the sidelines. This isn't a business where you can be timid and shy. You're going to have fucking assholes trying to pull all kinds of shady shit. You being fresh meat plus if you're as scared as you say you are they can sense the blood in the water.
This industry isn't for everyone, and I'm sure nobody will hold it against you if you decide that it's not the right choice for you.
But if you decide that you're going to be in this business it's dog eat dog. The competition is fierce, and pickings are slim.
Im sorry but the above is true. I was barely 18 when I started. If you are intimidated with the fees of the club try somewhere else. Also dont go out and buy anything expensive buy a couple of things that will get you started, then when you start making $$$ you can add to your collection. Your persona will change with time anyway so will your taste in outfits.
Anyway lots of luck chicky hope it works out for you!
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
I don't mean to be harsh but being an exhibitionist is only one facet of this business. You just wanna show off your body, go to a nudie beach. Summer is coming. You need to think long and hard if this industry is for you, otherwise your insecurities will fuck with your head. Do you want to be so terrified that you need alcohol or drugs to calm you down, in the process possibly have something bad happen? I have seen it countless times.
Do some thinking before you jump in.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Being terrified is pretty normal for a new dancer. If you just read through threads on the Newbie board it is filled with girls expressing their fears. Most girls get over it pretty fast, like after the first time you work. I remember when I started I was nervous about making enough money to cover house fees and tip-out (about $70 at my club) so I brought my house fee with me every night so I wouldn't be embarrassed if I didn't make it dancing.
The only words of caution that I have to say to you is that I could never imagine becoming a stripper at the tender age of 19! I started stripping at 29 and for that reason could handle many of the pressures that come with dancing in a mature manner. I would have gotten into major trouble if I had started that young. Do not be naive, unassertive, or pleasing to anybody. Do not talk to guys that work at the club, don't get caught up with stripper drama or even form friendships with other dancers outside the club, do not let a customer talk you into anything you do not want to do (give out your #, meet outside club, do extras), don't go crazy with drugs/alcohol, do NOT tell friends or others that you are a stripper, and DO save your money and set aside money for taxes (show that you make money so you can get loans in the future). Also, only do stripping if you have a plan for your future set in place, like you are going to school or training for a career. Stripping is not a long-term career and you will become addicted to it and the money--it is hard to start a "real" job once you have been a stripper. Take my advice very seriously, these are only some of the pressures you will face as a dancer. Dancing has many positives if you do it correctly!
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cede
The only words of caution that I have to say to you is that I could never imagine becoming a stripper at the tender age of 19!
Honestly, it's the title of your posting that makes me think you might not want to do this. You can't go into this making excuses for yourself. "But I'm just BARELY 19..." isn't an attitude you want to have.
You're 19. You're beautiful. You're going to kick ass and make some money.
If you can't honestly say that to yourself, then I would not suggest sticking to this business. If there is a chink anywhere in your stripper armor, you can bet that some asshole will stick his finger in it.
Ditto Tempest.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Cede, you say not to tell others that you are a dancer. I agree as well. But for those who require a bit more information about where you are employed, say your close family what seems to fly? I could never imagine telling anyone and some popular work cover stories such as bartender, go-go girl or the such don't really seem to fit all of us.
So, any ideas for a better cover story? Knowing that you are living two distinct lives i.e. your "real" day to day life as well as your “dancing” alter ego life tends to help anxiety. I’m not a dancer (yet) but I have worked in the sex industry and truthfully I imagine If you bomb at the beginning, welp no biggie! Keep on trying, I'm sure you will improve Devy and anyways, there is not much a naked girl can do that’s wrong!
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
I agree with others who are concerned about your mindset. Plenty of others, myself included, have started dancing at your age or younger. Of course management will have to know that but when you're working in the club you can take on a totally different persona. Lie and say you're older if that makes you more comfortable. I've always tacked on a few years so as to ward off the kiddie porn types and especially to score champagne rooms when I was under drinking age. Cede is right, do not be naive, you must be weary of everyone you meet but remain friendly but professional. Do not get sucked into the "lifestyle" remember it is just a job and while it is an opportunity to make good money right now, one day you will move on and how much of your dancing past will you want lingering in your life?
Maybe you should get your feet wet doing some amateur nights at clubs that hold those? There will be other girls who have never danced along with some pros who are considering working there. The good things about these is usually they have you arrive at one time then wait around the club for a few hours before they have the amateurs go on stage. You get a chance to watch how a club functions, you will not stand out as being the only newbie, and there is little or no pressure of tip outs and you may even win the grand prize. Maybe ask the manager of the club you want to work at if you can come in (not in dancer clothes lol but do dress sexy but classy) before starting and sit off to the side and observe? Let the waitress get you a water or juice and tip her well, she might even have some advice for you or introduce you to a nice dancer who could ease your nerves.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ohwellok
Cede, you say not to tell others that you are a dancer. I agree as well. But for those who require a bit more information about where you are employed, say your close family what seems to fly? I could never imagine telling anyone and some popular work cover stories such as bartender, go-go girl or the such don't really seem to fit all of us.
So, any ideas for a better cover story?
The search funtion is your friend. There are tons of threads about "cover stories", and even if the threads are old the advice is timeless. :)
I was terrified, but exhilarated my first few shifts. If you are just terrified, though, I wouldn't recommend going through with stripping. It's very tough, and can hurt you mentally, emotionally, and physically. Being afraid will just make it so much worse.
Where are you working? $130 can be a lot, but if you are in an area where the potential to make a lot is there, then it's not so bad. I pay out that much most nights, and still manage to make a decent profit. However, that being said, you are new and scared, so maybe starting a smaller club with less fees would help, and then you can move up to a bigger, more expensive club.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Starting off young and terrified is never ideal, but I did it too. I had some problems at first (drinking and drugs, trusting customers too much, etc) but now I generally love the job. I would never take it back even though everyone on this board would have told me I wasn't cut out for it when I started.
I like the idea of trying out a club with a lower tipout first for more reasons than have been already stated. If you start out at a club that you would want to work at longer term, regulars will always remember how you were when you were new and awkward. It could turn them off or give them the impression that you've become less "real" as your game improves. I had this problem at my first club and it was difficult to break out of that role until I started at another one. If you do this, try to discreetly find out whether you can be rehired at the club you already went to. Maybe ask a girl who seems nice and uninvolved with drama if you can find one.
Good luck!
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
A friend told me that she started with doing Cam jobs this helped her get comfortable without having to get completely loaded before dancing lol. I think she was working with this company...
She said its a great company that pays on time no minimum payout and they treated her like a professional.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
superfancypants
A friend told me that she started with doing Cam jobs this helped her get comfortable without having to get completely loaded before dancing lol. I think she was working with this company...
http://www..com/3624/application.htm
She said its a great company that pays on time no minimum payout and they treated her like a professional.
Can you stop spamming this site everywhere? You're not a dancer, you're not a cam model, you're not even a female, and you bring nothing of substance to this forum.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LexyNYC
Can you stop spamming this site everywhere? You're not a dancer, you're not a cam model, you're not even a female, and you bring nothing of substance to this forum.
And you send me unsolicited, affectionate PM's. Only men who know me or pay me get to send me creepy internet messages.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
superfancypants
A friend told me that she started with doing Cam jobs this helped her get comfortable without having to get completely loaded before dancing lol. I think she was working with this company...
http://www..com/3624/application.htm
She said its a great company that pays on time no minimum payout and they treated her like a professional.
No, it's not a great payout. it's 25% when the same model could be making 35% and not giving you 10% of her pay.
go to Streamate.com and you get 35%. I hate studios and I especially despise spammers.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The Contessa
Only men who know me or pay me get to send me creepy internet messages.
Oh Contessa, I LOVE this!
OP, I started dancing in my early 30s and was nervous as hell! And this was after 13 years in the Army!
Pay attention to the advice of the girls here. You'll do well, but protect yourself and NEVER sell yourself short!
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
I started at "barely 19" as well. Go for it but tread cautiously.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
You'll be fine. Just believe in yourself, read over Hustle Hut, and relax. Don't spend money on your costumes-- just use what you have for the time being. Plenty of women have done it before you and lived to tell the tale.
You'll live. And you'll rock if you so chose. ;)
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Hi everyone,
Reporting back a couple weeks later...it's been quite the experience. My best night I made about $500 plus house which I was very excited about! I know it'll only (hopefully) get better too. I have Saturday day shift tomorrow but I've just started my period which I'm flipping out about. Thanks for all the suggestions! ;D
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
i second tempest.
if it helps i wasnt sure at first but i did some nude modelling for a local art class where i could figure out whether or not i was comfortable in the middle of the room naked on a pedestal with everyone looking at me under a bright light and documenting every imperfect detail of me onto paper. try it. if you start feeling at ease halfway thru your first or second session you may have that part of being a dancer covered.
i also did one pole class coz i too have 10 years dance and gymnastics experience but its harder to dance slower, more seductive and receive feedback on how sexy you were and which bodypart needs adjusting.
depending on your area, 130 may be a litle too much for your first ever night. i'd try somewhere with lower fees on their busiest night so theres no sitting around and second guessing myself and trying as many customers to 'practice' as i can. then if you decide to like it and get the hang of the system you can go back to the club you originally wanted.
we cant really teach you everything everything, most of the important things i learnt, i did through my mistakes.
its important to remember you will come across people from all walks of life, do not trust anyone and dont think the customers are your friends. if something sounds too good to be true it probably is.
but if you dont think youre a tough cookie or can grow the thick coating, its best to forget till youre a bit older and comfortable.
Re: Becoming a dancer at barely 19 and TERRIFIED?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
anouk.oui
i second tempest.
if it helps i wasnt sure at first but i did some nude modelling for a local art class where i could figure out whether or not i was comfortable in the middle of the room naked on a pedestal with everyone looking at me under a bright light and documenting every imperfect detail of me onto paper. try it. if you start feeling at ease halfway thru your first or second session you may have that part of being a dancer covered.
Honestly that's a great idea. I think I'd love it. Maybe someone should post about this in Other Work.
http://www.slate.com/id/2132130/
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Nude-Art-Model