Now I know that not everyone does stages. If you can get out of stages (meaning, if your club will let you out and you have a VIP to do anyways), then do it. But if not, I want to share some tips to help you do better on stage.
1: Think of the stage as a selling tool.
So many of us just despise going on stage, and for good reason. Tips are usually crap on-stage, it takes us away from our time hustling the floor, and it's (for me at least) the most strenuous part of my night. But we have to have a positive attitude about going on-stage. Most customers DO like to watch the stage a bit before doing VIP, and they'll watch your stage show to see whether they like you. Think of it as a free preview. You may not make much money off of it, but it's advertising; standing in front of the whole club and showing off. "If you think this is good, we need to go to VIP together so I can show you the REALLY good stuff!"
2: Make eye contact.
Customers are CONSTANTLY complaining about this! "That dancer's a stuck-up bitch. She doesn't even pay attention to the customers!" or "That dancer looks stoned out of her gourd. She looks like she's bored to tears." or "That dancer's full of herself. She looks more at the mirror than the customers." Look at your customers. Make eye contact, give a seductive little grin, and then move on. Even if there's only three people in your entire club, do NOT look bored or watch yourself in the mirror. Pay attention to your audience.
3: Actually DANCE!
You don't have to be an expert dancer, nor do you have to be the pole queen, but you should actually MOVE. I see a lot of dancers just idly walk around the pole, then go to the other pole and walk around it, then go to the mirror and do an "up against the wall and spread 'em" move, then go back to the first pole and repeat. Remember that this is a PERFORMANCE!
4: Accentuate your best features.
What are your best physical features? What features would you like to minimize? For me, my best physical features are my legs. My worst is my little belly. So I do a lot of moves with the slow, sensual kicks and a lot of pointy-toed leg movement, and I let my arms "flow" as I spin and turn in a way that they kind of cover my belly. If your boobs are your best feature, find ways to dance that accent your breasts. If your ass is your best feature, dance in ways that make it look best.
5: What to do if you've got 2 songs left before your stage:
It often happens to me that I know I've got only 2 or 3 songs left before my next stage. Assuming that I don't have to go re-touch makeup or use the bathroom, I'm stuck with this kind of lull in activity. I'll go around to EVERY PERSON in the bar: "Hi! I'm Morgan, and you are?" (REMEMBER THEIR NAME!!!) "I want to chat with you some in a little bit, but I'm on stage in just two more songs. I'm going to go say hi to everyone else before I have to get on stage. I hope you enjoy my stage show. I'll check back with you when I get off stage, okay?" and then move on. Try to make the entire bar. I guarantee you'll increase stage tips if you do this, PLUS you'll get more attention from potential VIP-buyers.
6: How to handle a "tip dance":
In my club, when a customer comes to the tiprail, he expects you to give him a little "tip dance". SLOW DOWN! Make eye contact--as in, don't take your eyes off of his. Dance a few seconds, stop dancing, hold out your thong, take money, say "Thank you!", and move along. Soft, sensual, and STILL classy. Remember, it's not just about the customer at the rail, but the customers in the rest of the audience that are watching. They will assume that if you give a good stage dance, you'll give a good VIP. Do NOT be in any way trashy at the tiprail. Do NOT put your pussy in the guy's face, rub your asscrack around his nose, etc. Be sexy and seductive, but ALWAYS a lady.
7: Tips you once, "Thank you." Tips you twice, sell a dance.
If he tips you twice on the same set, just say, "I'd LOVE to get you alone!" or something like that. Go ahead and get a VIP dance "booked" for right when you get off stage.
8: When you're selling multiple dances from stage:
It's always "first come, first served" for stageside dances. When the one guy comes up to you and asks you for a dance, you agree, "just as soon as I get off stage, okay?" When the second one comes, "I'd love to! I have to go take care of this one other gentleman first, but I'll be with you as soon as I'm finished, okay?"
9: Lady-like behavior for stages.
It should go without saying, but... I don't care WHAT kind of crap the DJ plays, do NOT yell at the DJ from the stage. Don't yell at other dancers. Try to handle most customer problems without violence or raised voices. Basically, just remember that you're on display for the WHOLE bar to see.
10: Accidents happen.
We all know that sometimes accidents happen. I can't count the number of times I've fallen flat on my ass in the middle of a stage. One time I fell upside down from the top of the pole (and had a mild concussion--that SUCKED!). One time I was dancing and my wig flew off my head. Hey, shit happens. And customers don't seem to mind when you have these little accidents, but they DO watch how you react to them. Get up, dust yourself off, LAUGH, and finish your set. I've had times I was in so much pain I burst into tears as soon as I got back to the dressing room (the concussion story), but I finished my set smiling and laughing, and the customers were none the wiser. They don't always expect a PERFECT performance, but they do expect a cheerful attitude when accidents happen.
So that's my short list, and now I'm off to put these to work. Please feel free to add any tips (or argue with any of mine).
Toodles!





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