I don't make money anymore

[lighthouse]

The last four months have been really difficult for me. I've worked this entire week and the most I've made was on a Tuesday only one hundred dollars over my house fee. The rest of the nights I made enough to pay back my house fees. It's not just this week. The last three/four months have been like this. I'll occasionally be in a good mood one night and make good money but those nights are so far and few in between that I become so motivated and cynical about going to work.

I USE to make great money. I use to average about $800 a night working four days a week. My lowest take home was $300. Now I can hardly make $20.

I don't know what happened. I try to go into work with a good attitude but that wears off after four hours of getting no dances. There are customers in the building too! And I DO try to talk to them. I use to have a great hustle and sold tons of VIP and now I can't even sell a pathetic $20 dance without practically begging the guy.

I'm a thin tall blonde and a lot of guys call me beautiful but I don't feel it anymore. I just want to cry while I'm at the club because I know every guy I talk to is just going to turn me down. I use to have such a positive attitude at work. The only money I've made the last few days are because people called me over to dance for them/their friends. Guys won't even offer me drinks like they use to! I actually had a few guys yesterday tell me I couldn't have a drink with them at their booth (bottle service).

I've even tried changing things up with my appearance by wearing wigs and outfits that I normally don't wear. I try to pretend that I'm someone else at work. I really try to have a good time at work and not worry about the money but that's the only reason I'm there so it's difficult.

I really want to start making money and having confidence. I want to travel or something but I'm scared I won't make up my traveling costs. Maybe I should try camming or private parties for a while just to have a change of pace. I've been dancing for four years and I've never struggled like this. I doubt it's due to the economy because most of the girls at my club are making money like usual. Even the busted girls make more than I am.

How do I get back into my groove? I'm hoping someone has experienced this and will be able to give me some insight. Maybe it's time to quit dancing, I don't know.

[shanna dior]

That's tough, and I'm sorry you're going through it. It sounds like you're burnt out from the job and could really use a break. Is there any chance you could take one and live off of savings for a while so you have time to just recharge and get back in to a positive mindset? Maybe even work a vanilla job if you have to? Sometimes just taking a step back and leaving the club behind for a little while can make a world of difference.

[lokikola]

^ what she said.

[$$$YvonnE$$$]

*hugs* Im sorry to hear about that. I think as dancers we all have our weak moments/weeks/months where we don't make as much money and therefor it affects how we feel about ourselves, which in turn affects how much we make...it's a vicious cycle.

You said you have worked this entire week? That is exhausting. An hour or more to get ready + driving time + hours worked + driving time back + shower/eat can take a toll on your body! What I do now is only work 3x a week. Once during the week, and Fridays&Saturdays. That way every time I come to work I feel fresh and can be more productive.

ShannaDior is correct in saying you need a break...then come back and try working less days a week! You will be amazed at how much more you can make in a single shift.

[shanna dior]

You will be amazed at how much more you can make in a single shift.

SO TRUE. I tracked my earnings and noticed that my hourly average was always much higher the less often I worked. Whenever I worked several days in a row, it wasn't totally uncommon for one of them to be a dinky shift because I would just get sick of being in the club and having to return for x more days. The beauty about this job is that it usually gives you the flexibility to NOT have to work everyday like in a vanilla job, so take advantage of that - your mental health will thank you!

[lighthouse]

That's tough, and I'm sorry you're going through it. It sounds like you're burnt out from the job and could really use a break. Is there any chance you could take one and live off of savings for a while so you have time to just recharge and get back in to a positive mindset? Maybe even work a vanilla job if you have to? Sometimes just taking a step back and leaving the club behind for a little while can make a world of difference.

How long of a break would you suggest? The longest I've been away from the club is a week. I have enough savings to live comfortably but I don't think I'm ready to quit dancing completely.

I'm trying to work less. Its just so difficult when I make no money three shifts in a row. I don't want to feel like a failure for giving up.

[shanna dior]

Do you have to be scheduled to work at your club, or can you just show up and work whenever? Maybe give it a week or two, see how you feel, and then either go in or schedule yourself for one shift at a time. No matter how long you take off, it's probably wise to ease yourself back into it rather than jumping back in to working all week.

If you've got the savings to live off of for a while, maybe you won't feel so pressured to make lots of money on your shifts, and that'll in turn put you in a better mood where you will make money. Like, try and put yourself in the frame of mind of dancing being your 'luxury' money while you're using your savings so you're not so dependent on having to work and bank every night.

And FWIW, there's no shame in "giving up" on dancing and moving on to a different industry, even if just for a little while. It can be a trying job and I don't think anyone could do it forever. It's just a matter of accepting that there are other jobs out there that are a better fit for you, and that's not failure - on the contrary, it'd be more of a success!

[Melonie]

It's not just this week. The last three/four months have been like this. I'll occasionally be in a good mood one night and make good money but those nights are so far and few in between that I become so motivated and cynical about going to work.

This points to a key question that needs to be answered before you dwell on this any deeper. Is the reduced income potential just a byproduct of your 'bad mood', or have other changes taken place at your club that have negatively affected your income and in turn induced your 'bad mood' ?

If it's the former, then taking some time off could be HIGHLY beneficial. If it's the latter, then taking time off is probably only going to worsen the situation.

[Stripper Hacks]

For one thing you are not the money that you make. Times have changed economically, but it's only temporary.

There is money out there. You have to be a go-getter about getting it.

Like everyone else has suggested take a break. 3-5 days off can work wonders.

I hate to say it and others will agree, when you feel desperate inside, customers detect it.

Go reset yourself.

If it's still bad for you when you come back try switching up your hustle, pricing and the way you do things. When you find what works keep doing that.

Don't give up if you're not ready to quit dancing.

[GlamourRouge]

The last four months have been really difficult for me. I've worked this entire week and the most I've made was on a Tuesday only one hundred dollars over my house fee. The rest of the nights I made enough to pay back my house fees. It's not just this week. The last three/four months have been like this. I'll occasionally be in a good mood one night and make good money but those nights are so far and few in between that I become so motivated and cynical about going to work.

I USE to make great money. I use to average about $800 a night working four days a week. My lowest take home was $300. Now I can hardly make $20.

I don't know what happened. I try to go into work with a good attitude but that wears off after four hours of getting no dances. There are customers in the building too! And I DO try to talk to them. I use to have a great hustle and sold tons of VIP and now I can't even sell a pathetic $20 dance without practically begging the guy.

I'm a thin tall blonde and a lot of guys call me beautiful but I don't feel it anymore. I just want to cry while I'm at the club because I know every guy I talk to is just going to turn me down. I use to have such a positive attitude at work. The only money I've made the last few days are because people called me over to dance for them/their friends. Guys won't even offer me drinks like they use to! I actually had a few guys yesterday tell me I couldn't have a drink with them at their booth (bottle service).

I've even tried changing things up with my appearance by wearing wigs and outfits that I normally don't wear. I try to pretend that I'm someone else at work. I really try to have a good time at work and not worry about the money but that's the only reason I'm there so it's difficult.

I really want to start making money and having confidence. I want to travel or something but I'm scared I won't make up my traveling costs. Maybe I should try camming or private parties for a while just to have a change of pace. I've been dancing for four years and I've never struggled like this. I doubt it's due to the economy because most of the girls at my club are making money like usual. Even the busted girls make more than I am.

How do I get back into my groove? I'm hoping someone has experienced this and will be able to give me some insight. Maybe it's time to quit dancing, I don't know.

Switch clubs immediately. If all the clubs in your area suck (aka ALL of California lol), then you need to move where the cost of living is low and strip club money is high. Texas, Vegas, major Midwestern & Southern cities, more conservative areas...

I'd be very cautious if you feel like all the girls around you are making money and you aren't. They might not be. Its funny because some dancer friends I worked with well, it LOOKED like they were banking, but after payouts etc. they were making like the same as me. We were good friends, so they told me the truth. Some even asked ME for advice when it looked like I was banking, but we all made around the same. I've also seen a lot of girls severely undercharge, so they look busy, but are not making that much.

Another girl would always fill her box full of money at the beginning of the shift and talk about how she made SOOOO much money already, but she was dumb because a few of those times she hadn't even been on the floor more than 5 minutes LOL. So anyway, yeah sometimes it LOOKS like people are banking, but they aren't.

[britchick85]

I think you need to take a short vacation,then you should try working in a different club.I always find i work better when im in a new place.When im at the same club for too long i become bored and complacent.I have actually never worked in one club for more than 3 months at a time.I think sometimes a change is as good as a rest.Good luck!!

[JessicaCM]

Even though I'm new (about 2 months)...I have had my highs and lows (many already). One thing I learned FAST was to get proper rest, separate my dancing life with my real life, stay hydrated, exercise, etc. It is also important not to complain on the job, look happy 24/7...because men come there for positive attention from women, make eye contact, etc. These things will and has made things horrible for me when I didn't. One thing to do is maybe go to a club in a city where business is great...so that way you can make up for the slow days at your club.

[Felons_Felony]

SO TRUE. I tracked my earnings and noticed that my hourly average was always much higher the less often I worked. Whenever I worked several days in a row, it wasn't totally uncommon for one of them to be a dinky shift because I would just get sick of being in the club and having to return for x more days. The beauty about this job is that it usually gives you the flexibility to NOT have to work everyday like in a vanilla job, so take advantage of that - your mental health will thank you!

This so hard. When I decided to make dancing my full-time, I'd leave with maybe $80/night after house fees and only average like $10/hr! But when I needed to cut back on the hours to take care of some at-home stuff, I'd leave with $300-400 a shift. That's $1,200 a week versus $400 a week.

[shift_6x]

This so hard. When I decided to make dancing my full-time, I'd leave with maybe $80/night after house fees and only average like $10/hr! But when I needed to cut back on the hours to take care of some at-home stuff, I'd leave with $300-400 a shift. That's $1,200 a week versus $400 a week.

I can relate. I was working 5 days a week now Im avging 3. Im doing better with 3 . We all need to take some time away to improve our attitudes. I am not naturally a "smiley" person. I have to fake it til I make it with the smiles. But guys want to see that at work. And attitude is the most important asset. It trumps looks or dancing ability(pole tricks). I am doing a little better personally bc Ive worked on my attitude some.

[vegas*love]

Yes take a break but not too long because u gonna feel like nubie when u start again
Fix ur attitude , don't be shy , be playfull ,smile and talk to ppl ...
I figure out I need a shot of tequila when I start so I can be bubble and sweet with the guys

[cocainepr3tty]

you become a product of your thoughts
you are what u think if you think in negative tems you will get negativity in return

[Brandi_Lynn]

How long of a break would you suggest? The longest I've been away from the club is a week. I have enough savings to live comfortably but I don't think I'm ready to quit dancing completely.

I'm trying to work less. Its just so difficult when I make no money three shifts in a row. I don't want to feel like a failure for giving up.

Your not giving up, dear. Burn out is inevitable in this industry at times. Many times, we all have to take at least a short break if not maybe even longer. I would suggest 2 weeks just to chill & have me time. If that doesn't work -it might not be you then. You may just need a change of scenery. Often times when I get in a new city or even in a dif club just a town or two away for just a few weeks or a month it can make a huge difference for you while your at that new place & still keep going even when you come back to homebase club.

At least you have the ability to be able to take a decent amount of time off & live off your savings comfortably -many girls don't even have that unfortunately.

Good Luck, dear.

[JessicaCM]

I remember for almost 2 months at my club I quit two weeks ago, it got so bad to where girls were living with NOTHING after tip-out which was $20. Or at least $20. I'm sorry but that's one reason I quit. I'll be damned if I put in damn near ten hours for $20 bucks. It was not worth it, so I quit. I feel a stripper should be making no less than $120-$300 a night in a local club (in small towns) and of course more in major cities. That's even shitty for the hard work that goes into it, but at least your making a little more than a minimum wage ya know.

Hopefully I didn't post this already. ALL clubs go up and down in business. Maybe switch and go back. Good luck!

[KatGrrl]

The beauty about this job is that it usually gives you the flexibility to NOT have to work everyday like in a vanilla job, so take advantage of that - your mental health will thank you!

</br>
Soooooo true!

[alicia_victoria]

This happen to me recently and it was the club was changing its format; from a mixed club, to a "black" club, and in black clubs I do not make money no matter how hard I try.

[anouk.oui]

try to take two weeks off and do nothing but pamper yourself and even when you return dont work more than 3 shifts per week.
alternatively you can try switching clubs i find they help me stay on top of my game

[Artema]

Here's my little bit:

I notice you're focusing inward --- what you're wearing, how you look, comparing yourself to others and your past abilities...etc.

Focusing inward never helped me make money. You can focus inward all you want when you're off the clock. Otherwise I found that if I focus more on the CUSTOMER, I could identify what he liked and close a sale. Never worry about what other people/customers think of you. Instead think of them and what it is you can do for them. You are the one in control of your money. No one else

[JoJoX]

Trying really hard will never work. When you want something to go well so badly, it will always disappoint you. Men can smell desperation from a mile away. You ever met those hopeless romantics that are ALWAYS disappointed in their love life? Because they want something so desperatly to happen. Possibly, you stopped making good money for a few days then you started to panic. Which then happens a chain reaction - "whats wrong with me? am i ugly? does my breath stink? am i too old? " so on and so on...and that negative energy oozes through your pores.

Its never ever about your looks, trust me. The days I THINK I look like a super model, I make OK or less money because I am so pre occupied with what I look like. Then there are times where I partied the previous night, took a nap and quick pussy wash then walked right into work after dancing all night, make up from previous night (no joke) no perfume etc are the days that I seriously BANK- I'm talking $1800 bank.

Maybe you work too much? Or maybe you need a break? Maybe camming or even bartending in between to generate income?

[Gracefulways]

you become a product of your thoughts
you are what u think if you think in negative tems you will get negativity in return

Yes I have to agree with this. I hear a lot of girls complaining about their money going down and i believe it starts within your mind. When you are in a good place mentally things fall in to place...

[shasta]

I am a 7 year vet. I agree with switching clubs.

Also you might want to look into traveling for work somewhere where you have a friend to stay with. But new club asap.