Whether you’ve got rent to pay or just want some extra cash to spend, it can be tough coming up with some money, especially if you don’t have the qualifications to get a higher paying job.
Because your options are limited, you might’ve been thinking outside the box to up your income. So you might be considering becoming an exotic dancer.
But it may not be as easy as you think it is. Here’s what you need to know about the world of exotic dancers before you delve into it.
You Have to Have Self-Confidence
This might sound obvious, but you have to have self-confidence. You have to get up on a stage and bare your body, after all. Plus, you have to move in a such a way that complements the music and entices your clients.
While you might be a talented dancer in the club, getting onstage and stripping is a whole different beast. If you get stage fright easily, you’ll come off as stiff and unnatural, which won’t be appealing to the crowd.
You need to sell what you’re doing, and you need to sell it well. The only way to do so is if you believe in yourself and have the confidence to pull off your moves.
You Need to Be Tough-Skinned
Women come in all shapes and sizes, which is what makes each and every woman beautiful in their own ways. Unfortunately, not everyone has this viewpoint.
Even if you were objectively the most beautiful woman in the world, you’re still bound to run into someone who doesn’t find you attractive at all. There may be some clientele who will be harsh in their rejections, so you need to be tough-skinned enough to let those insults roll off your back.
You Have to Be Assertive
Exotic dancers go through a lot every night they work. Clients come and get drunk, which means they’ll paw at you, spill drinks all over you, and even shout at you rudely.
If you’re usually shy and meek in everyday life, then this may be hard to get used to at first. But it’s vital that you’re assertive from the day you start. If you aren’t, you risk having clients walk all over you and disrespecting your personal space.
You Need to Know How to Flirt
Your pay is based almost entirely on your tips, so you need to know how to work your clients. If you have no clue how to be flirty and playful, and usually aren’t a people person, you need to start learning how to be, pronto.
If you’ve previously worked a server or any other job in customer service, then the things you’ve learned from those jobs can be helpful in your time as an exotic dancer. You need to sell the illusion of clients being your center of attention and subject of attraction, or else you won’t make very much in tips.
You Have to Be in Shape
Obviously, you can’t be too overweight or obese to be an exotic dancer, unless you’re working for a club that caters to niche tastes. But otherwise, you need to be quite thin to fit the tastes of most strip club clientele.
But not only that, you need to have some degree of athleticism. Not only do you have to work your way around a pole, but you have to be dancing onstage for hours at a time. If you don’t have the stamina to dance for at least 30 minutes without wheezing, then you’re not going to be so impressive as an exotic dancer.
If you’re considering this professional, think about taking up some regular light exercise at least. That way, when you get onstage, it won’t be as taxing on your body.
Account for Expenses
You may be entranced by the exotic dancing world because you’ve seen dancers flash stacks of cash. But how much of that do they really take home at the end of the night?
Many nightclubs charge their dancers for “spots,” which is basically like a guaranteed shift. You also have to split your tips with the DJ, bouncers, and bartenders, as they provide services that have clients coming to you.
Not to mention that some clubs charge you for being late. So not only have you missed out on tips when you don’t show up on time, but you’re also “fined.”
Upkeep Expenses
For most girls, you can’t just show up and change out of your PJs to dance. You could, but you probably won’t make very much.
Depending on your beauty regimen, you might be spending a pretty penny to perform upkeep. You need to factor in things like makeup, waxing kits, hair products, jewelry, perfumes, and even gym memberships into your expenses to know exactly what eats into your take-home pay.
Watch out for “Non-Compete” Clauses
You might need to dance full-time to earn enough money for your daily life, but you may not get enough hours at one club. The natural thing to do is to seek more hours at other clubs, but you might not be able to do so.
When you sign up with your first club and they tell you upfront that you won’t be able to work full-time, make sure you’re not signing anything that says you can’t work at other clubs.
Are You Ready to Join Other Exotic Dancers?
Now that you’ve gotten a glimpse into the world of exotic dancers, perhaps you want to start a new career in this industry. But remember that while it may be lucrative for some women, it can be a taxing job. Not only is there the social stigma that comes with it, but you also have to fend off lecherous clients who may not understand the concept of personal space.
But if you feel like you’re tough enough to handle this job and that you can keep up with the physical demands, by all means, go for it!
Want to read more about women in the adult entertainment industry? Then check out this post about the top 10 richest female porn stars of 2018.
