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Slower shifts
OK.
So I have been working at the same place for almost 4 years, and lately they have begun to choose our hours for us, although we choose the days. And in doing so, they've limited the days I can sign up for, because they seem to be putting me on alot of afternoon shifts, which are slow and full of regulars who only sit by the bar. I have to pay quite a bit of $$ for a cab just to get there (I don't drive), and there are days I don't even make as much $$ as it cost for me to get there.
My question is: Since they seem hell-bent on making me work a ton of afternoon shifts as well as night shifts (usually a 9-10 hour shift altogether) I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how I can make some money during the slower shifts.
I realize that I should know this by now, being a veteran and all, but dancing has always been my specialty, not conversation and hustling (asking for dances). I try to be social, but I find it difficult to sit there and chat for an hour with some guy who isn't even going to buy a dance or give me a 20 (which alot of them don't).
Also, I used to work alot of afternoon shifts, but that was back when business during those hours was better than it is now.
Any tips would be appreciated!!
-slashingbeauty
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Re: Slower shifts
I might would think about going to another club. Also it may be a tempory thing, the club may change this policy.
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Re: Slower shifts
I know that this has been discussed before. Read back through the posts or a do a search and you should be able to find some good money-making hustling tips. But what the hell, I'll go ahead and throw out a couple of thoughts to get you thinking. Hopefully some of these apply to your club.
One thing to remember is that even though the day shift is slower, there is money to be made there. A lot of these guys own their own businesses, or are in sales or consulting and can set their own schedules. It's been my experience that small business owners seem to have access to cash that their wife doesn't know about. So some guy who owns a machine shop may actually have more money to spend than the doctor or airline pilot whose wife is home checking the atm receipts. So don't judge a book by it's cover, some of these guys have pockets full of cash.
As you've figured out, the day shift is all about getting and keeping regulars. One key to keeping regulars is to be regular yourself. You mentioned that you get to pick the days you work. Find the best days for you and stick to them. If a guy knows that you are there every Thursday afternoon, he may just make you a "habit". Also, consider using e-mail to keep in touch. Send your schedule out a week in advance, forward some of those stupid jokes you get in your own e-mail, anything to keep yourself in their mind
For help in conversation, you might read "How to win friends and influence people". The book is really, really old and is really cheesy at times. However, the advice on starting up converstions and other people skills is still good. Get a couple of books on salesmanship. Yes the other girls will laugh. Ignore them. One thing you should definitely not do is sit with a guy for an hour who isn't spending money on you, no matter how slow the club is. If he's not buying dances, go check with the dj, go into the back, anything, just don't sit there with him forever without him spending money. You dont' want to seem too availible. One thing that works for me is to set a goal. Maybe start out with a goal of selling an average of 3 dances per hour. The first couple of hours when things are really slow you may not reach your goal. You might not sell any. Don't get down on yourself, just be determined and hustle harder later on when the club is busier.
Good luck :)
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Re: Slower shifts
Thank you:)
Yes, I was reading some of the past posts on hustling and making money. I appreciate your input;)
And I have considered switching clubs, but I really do like where I work, all of the staff are great and I am friends with the girls, so even when it's really slow, it's usually alot of fun.
What I might do is go work somewhere else for a week or two. But I am pretty loyal to where I am now, so I guess I'll just stick it out. Hopefully they'll realize how much I detest the day shift!!
-slashingbeauty