Re:Customer View – Make More Money
violet - my club keeps half of all dance moneys, plus small stage fee - a few of us dancers added up how much they made off of us, over $5000 a month, and that wasn't all the dancers. Plus, tipouts are different from stagefees and other dance cuts - a tipout to the DJ doesn't help the club, but the $10 stage fee does.
Anyway, I think of it kind of like a movie theater, they pay a high entrance fee and most of that is for the theater. Then overpriced food and drink, for the theater. There isn't really a correlating dancer in that reference, but basically the drinks are a bonus, it could do okay on just the admissions.
Re:Customer View – Make More Money
Something I picked up being a hostess at a restraunt when I'm on my way to do something (bathroom, dressing room, etc.) I'll often stop by someone (who is without a dancer) and introduce myself and ask if they're having a good night or not. Make sure they have enough to drink, etc. I don't sit down and I don't spend more than a minute and a half making sure they are comfortable. I then tell them "I just wanted to make sure you were having a good time" and tell them I'll be back to check on them later. I never ask for a dance this first time because they know why they're there and why I'm there. Later when I approach them (often after my stage set) they are more eager to talk to me and we both feel more comfortable asking for a dance. I think it creates more of a positive atmosphere and puts me in a better light. Especially when they're waiting for the dreaded question "wannadance?" It also makes me seem more in demand, and like I'm trying to spend more time with them in particular.
Gives you guys less to brood about, too! ;)
Re:Customer View – Make More Money
Violet, I guess I didn't make my point as clear as I should. Yes, I realize the club has to make money and that selling drinks at greatly inflated prices is one way they do that. But think of it like this. If a guy is considering going to a strip club, he doesn't say to himself, "hmm, I think I'll go to Club Expose', they've got the coldest beer in town." No, he says to himself, "hmm, I think I'll go to Club Expose' and see some pretty girls." In most big cities, he'll likely drive past at least a half a dozen bars and nightclubs with a nice atmosphere and way cheaper beer. He drives past those place for the girls.
And think about nightclubs, the successful ones don't just stock a bar with alchohol, high a bartender, some waitresses, and open their doors. No, they might have bands come in, hire a D.J. run contests, have a dance floor, they do all kinds of different things to attract customers. The reason is, that they realize that they are in the entertainment business, not the food and drink business. I've found very few strip clubs that understand that.
Re:Customer View – Make More Money
Quote:
Originally Posted by quandary link=board=9;threadid=11773;start=msg150253#msg150 253 date=1091765833
I've been to clubs in Denver, Dallas and Seattle, and I rarely get asked if I want a dance. I occasionally take clients to clubs and have to play sheep dog and heard dancers to our table to talk to the guys and offer dances. When I buy dances, I rarely get asked for a second/third consecutive dance.
I never mind a dancer coming to my table, talking for 30 seconds and asking for a dance. Guys expect to leave the club with lighter wallet. Yes, the pressure sell and drink hustle are annoying. I'm talking about a few seconds of light conversation – not the Spanish Inquisition sales method. If you get a no, tell the guy to have a great time and move on. I guarantee that you'll make more if you ask for more.
One thing to keep in mind is I've found that a majority of guys who come in groups of 3 or more rarely spend any money. In fact I will not approach a group of guys unless one happens to make eye contact or tip me on stage.
Re:Customer View – Make More Money
My biggest fear (that I'm working on) is getting reeled into conversation. I'm the biggest believer in "It never hurts to ask," but I find that I always get trapped into waiting for a drink, drinking the drink at the table, asking if he'd like a dance, then getting a, "No, but maybe in a little bit. Why don't we sit and talk some more?" I just need to be more assertive in saying that I'm busy and popular and broke, I guess.
Re:Customer View – Make More Money
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor0x0 link=board=9;threadid=11773;start=msg176682#msg176 682 date=1095443689
Quote:
Originally Posted by quandary link=board=9;threadid=11773;start=msg150253#msg150 253 date=1091765833
I've been to clubs in Denver, Dallas and Seattle, and I rarely get asked if I want a dance. I occasionally take clients to clubs and have to play sheep dog and heard dancers to our table to talk to the guys and offer dances. When I buy dances, I rarely get asked for a second/third consecutive dance.
I never mind a dancer coming to my table, talking for 30 seconds and asking for a dance. Guys expect to leave the club with lighter wallet. Yes, the pressure sell and drink hustle are annoying. I'm talking about a few seconds of light conversation – not the Spanish Inquisition sales method. If you get a no, tell the guy to have a great time and move on. I guarantee that you'll make more if you ask for more.
One thing to keep in mind is I've found that a majority of guys who come in groups of 3 or more rarely spend any money. In fact I will not approach a group of guys unless one happens to make eye contact or tip me on stage.
Well then you are cutting yourself out of a whole lot of earnings potential. While groups may be intimidating, there is almost always a buyer or two within them. You can also get guys to buy their buddy a dance or 3. All you have to do is make a split-second judgement at to who is the wallet in the group and sit with him. Crack some jokes, make fun of the guys lightheartedly, be "one of the guys" for a few minutes. Create an atmosphere of compradery. Suggest shots for the group.
There is so much you can do. The important rules are:
- not to spend too much time on a group of cheapos. 1 song maximum.
- if you are rejected, do not be discouraged, just hold your head up and move on.
-group guys can be cruel. Don't make a scene if insulted. Walk away. Warn other dancers if you have time. Once they are completely ignored by all the girls in the club they might rethink they attitudes. Don't expect management to help since they are paying customers buying drinks.
Re:Customer View – Make More Money
Also, in my neck of the woods, there's a flat house fee (about 20 dollars, 30 if you show up late), a flat tip-out of 5 dollars to each manager and the DJ, but that's all they get from us. The rest of the money they make is from cover fees, food and drink. I would be surprised if money they made from us covered even their water and waste bill. It's all about the drink sales here.