Giving Number to Customers???
Hey ladies Ive been looking for a post about this and haven't found one so if you know of one please direct me to it. Im still new to dancing (its been about a month now) and there are some customers who I see at the club all the time. They recognize me now and we speak and I also get tipped from them good from dancing (I guess this could be considered a regular? but they are just regulars of the club and know everyone). But its starting to get to the point where some are asking how to get in touch with me outside the club. I told them I don't so social media (Im dancing to work and want to stay as private about it as possible and keep it away from my regular life). Ive been asked for my number many times and so far have been able to not give it out, now a days you can look up peoples info, name, location and social media all off of their number. My question is do you all have a separate phone that you use for work or do you all use an app? There are a few people I wouldn't mind giving a work number to that way on slow nights I can tell them to come in so I can make some money but I just don't want to run into issues and also the whole "I wanna see you outside the club" thing because I think once I see them outside the club they won't wanna spend money on me in the club.
All advice is helpful and appreciated! Thanks!
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
I use a free app called FreeTone to contact customers. It gives me a local number and from the customer's side, it looks exactly like a regular text message. Texts are free in the US and Canada, as are calls, though I don't use that function with customers. You can certainly get a separate phone, though that's an extra expense and another thing to carry around/keep track of.
Word of advice: don't just give out your number, even if it's not your "real" number (via app or separate phone), to any customer that asks for it. If they're hounding you to see you outside the club and then ask for your number, they're just going to use that as another way of asking to see you outside the club. Give it to customers that spend decent money on you (I'm unclear if those club regulars are tipping you on top of dances or just giving you stage tips or random tips, in which case it's probably not worth keeping in touch with them outside the club) and you think would realistically come back to spend money on you in the club.
Also, don't be afraid to establish firm boundaries with your number. Just because a customer texts you every day, doesn't mean you have to reply. Figure out what level of communication you're comfortable with and stick to it -- you're not obligated to reply to every text if they're bombarding you, and taking your time is a good way to train them out of it.
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
^^ +1 to everything shanna just said. In the US the app I use is called "sideline"-- it let me choose my second number with a local area code and instead of using data/voip, it uses some sort of technological wizardry to send the texts/calls via my existing (unlimited) phone network plan. It's completely free, but it has big banner ads on the bottom of it and there is a little bit of a delay while it does its network rerouting magic during calls/texts (I only call to "prank" the customer when we first exchange numbers, then it's strictly text only). Other than that, I fucking love it.
There's another app called "burner" that I've read good reviews about, but it costs money and I'm the tightest of all tightarses so I go with the free sideline app.
In Australia, I just bought a second cheapy throwaway phone and used amaysim's $5 prepaid plan.
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
I use the Sideline app and it's awesome.
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
I also use Sideline, and unlike Google Voice you can actually send/receive pics and as far as I know, there is no weird tone telling the caller to press one in order to complete the call.
It's never a good idea to give out your real phone number. I've noticed that whenever I have given out my real number to someone and we have exchanged text messages, Facebook finds their account and suggests that I add them as a friend. If you can see them, I'm assuming they can probably see you, too. Also, there is too much information that can be found out with just a phone number; your first name, your address (or an approximate location), your service provider, etc.
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I agree that getting a 2nd cheapy phone is the way to go- you can get Metro PCS here in FL for like 35-40/ month and they even have smart phones now. It's not an iPhone 7 or anything but they have droids you can link email to or take photos with. I know this is not in all of the US but I think it goes to parts o Central America now and maybe even the Caribbean?
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
I use google voice, but like other mentioned, there's a few downsides. The main one is that is awkwardly announces to the caller " Google Voice is now connecting your call ". I'm lazy and only text anyway so I haven't used anything else but I do like to sound of sideline.
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
I used to cultivate regulars by staying in touch via email or text but after a bad experience with a guy who's family owns the single largest retailer in Canada I have stopped giving any of my customers a way to contact me. Since most of my customers are tourists I have no found it hurts my money too much. Also, it was a lot of emotional and psychological labour I REALLY HATED doing. You can do well and bank consistently without it in my opinion, it's whatever you're confortable with.
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I use NextPlus to keep in touch my customers and it's amazing. You can text and call under a fake number.
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
This was so helpful because I didn't know of any good apps, so I was cautiously giving out my real number (which is sooo stupid, I know) and I would have those customers that would just not. stop. texting. me. I tried out the Sideline app and it is so wonderful! Thank you ladies!!! :)
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
I would totally get a google phone number so you can screen your calls and remain private. And some clubs don't allow social media, but for those that do, its best to make a separate profile - try and keep your work and home life separate. Don't let these guys know you real name, its easy to get stalked that way. Plus you may not want to expose yourself in photos if you are trying to build a professional vanilla life outside of dancing. Like Vanessa_mtl said above, it is mentally draining after a while keeping up with texts and posts but if you think you can use it to your advantage, do it in a smart and safe way
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Use sideline! It kicks ass and is free
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I've always used text free. I love it.
Re: Giving Number to Customers???
I do Google Voice sometimes... but I find it a waste of time. They start to think they are now special and that they'll get your time for free via texting... So when I do give it out, I do not respond unless it's a direct "Are you working tonight?" or vice versa.
IMO it's worked out much better (and allowed me to keep dancing AT WORK and not infiltrating my personal life) to just tell guys I work XYZ days at ABC time. They still come in to see me, no annoying texts otherwise.