Performing the perfect pole routine is the greatest feeling in the world. When everything aligns--your music, your exotic dancewear, your choreography, and your audience--performing can almost be like walking on air.
Pole dancing can be a heavy workout, but sometimes that sweat dripping down your face is a sign of joy, not pain.
Being a performer is like nothing else in the world--who doesn’t want to be paid to entertain? But there’s also a steep learning curve to getting into the business, and it can be quite cutthroat to newbies and even veteran dancers alike.
Regardless of where you are in your exotic dance career, there are always new and innovative ideas to learn that will enable you to truly master exotic dancing.
That’s why today, I’m bringing you a shorter post that’s packed to the brim with information that all exotic dancers should listen to. Straight from veteran dancers themselves, here are the tips to increase your income and your career satisfaction.
Top Tips from Veteran Dancers
Finding the Right Exotic Dance Outfits is Key
No matter what kind of dancer you are, exotic or no, it’s key to find the right dancewear for you.
There’s nothing worse than an improper fit that causes you to look frumpy up on-stage. Avoid cheap dancewear that’s destined to fall apart after a few uses--or even worse, while you’re up on stage, performing your heart out.
That’s why it is vital to find a brand that works well for you. As you know, ShopMoola is my prime recommendation for stripper outfits. The best thing about ShopMoola is that they offer free shipping, allowing you to order your favorite outfits fast, easily, and for a price you’ll find nowhere else on the Web.
When you are visually appealing to your customers--when your dance wear, your make-up, and your styling all hit the perfect notes--not only will you see an increase in your tips, you’ll also observe an increase in your customer engagement.
I’ve given quite a few tips on finding what exotic dancewear is best for you in the past [links to other blogs]. No matter your shape or size or gender, there are tons of stripper outfits to choose from that will fit your personal taste and style.
For example, this g-string bikini set [Invitation Women's Low Rise G-String Tie Bikini Set in Silver Sheen] will invite every eye in the room to you. When you wear quality dance wear, you have the opportunity to make more money.
Engage With Your Customers to Increase Tips
This is another topic I’ve written about in the past [link to extroversion blog] and I find it to be of utmost importance when thinking about how to increase your income as an exotic dancer.
If you come off as stiff and shallow to your customers, you may get good tips on-stage, but you’ll rarely be asked to do private dances. Engaging with your customers is even more important than being a good dancer.
Think about it: developing relationships with customers turns them into regulars, who are in turn more apt to purchase more of your time. It’s simple customer service.
Take an interest in what your customers have to say. Compliment them. Allow them to form the association of feeling happiness within your presence, and you are guaranteed to increase your tips.
One of my best dancer friends always says, “Make them love you, and they’ll keep coming back.”
Give your customers a personal experience, and they’re sure to be yours for a long time to come.
Practice Until You’re Perfect
Whether you are a new dancer on the rise or a veteran who knows their way around, there is room for improvement in your routines. Choreographing the perfect routine is a challenge that requires both dedication and a willingness to endure the pain and bruises that can come with pole dance.
When practiced correctly, pole dancing can not only be beneficial to your health--dance is also empowering to the mind. Disciplining yourself to practice at least five times a week, especially when work is slow, is vital to your success on-stage. I know dancers who have gone onto pole championships due to their dedication to the practice.
In the immortal words of Bruce Lee: “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
Learn From Other Dancers to Up Your Game
Your fellow dancers can become your tribe after so many nights up on-stage, baring your souls and skins. But even more than that, those fellow dancers have the potential to become your mentors.
Who is the most successful dancer currently working at your club of choice? If that person is friendly, I highly recommend approaching him or her and striking up a conversation.
When you engage with a coworker as a friend, you miss out on the opportunity to learn from them as a student.
If they’re guarded with the secrets of their success, back off. But if that person is open to sharing, mine them for all the treasure you can find.
Several of the items on this list came from my mentor, an amazing, empowered woman named Kelly I’ve mentioned plenty of times before. She helped to boost my confidence after a [certain dance wear mishap].
She also introduced me to ShopMoola, where I found this gem [Enchanting Women's High Cut Deep V Monokini Thong One Piece in Sheer Black Passion Foil Lace Black Trim] for a performance that earned me my most tips ever. I am incredibly grateful for her help with all things exotic dance-wear-related.
Invest in the Right Shoes to Minimize Falls
Picture this: you strut on-stage, confidence oozing from every pore. The lights are bright, incandescent orbs that light up the sexiest aspects of your body. When you begin your routine, however, one off-step causes the heel of your platform to snap clean off from the rest of the shoe. You fall and sprain your ankle, howling in pain.
Thankfully, this has never happened to me before, but I do know dancers whose cheap shoes have caused spills that have injured them far worse. Remember: an injury means you are unable to make money.
I find it prudent to invest my money in a pair of shoes that will stand the test of time. [Pleasers] heels are incredibly popular in this industry and I’ve personally always had good luck with them.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ-GHPHQXOY]
Quite a few of my platforms have stood up for three years or more. I don’t regret investing more money into my future career and in preventing future injuries. The money I paid was more than worth it to avoid the pain of a sprained ankle.
Be Genuine and Authentic to Pull in More Dances
I won’t argue with the idea that sometimes, putting on a persona whilst dancing can its benefits. However, I personally get the best feedback from customers if I have the confidence to be my authentic self.
It can be difficult to build confidence in yourself, especially when you’re baring it all for the audience every single night--there’s absolutely no room for error, but as humans, we have a tendency to err sometimes. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you flub--be yourself, and take it in stride. Work it into your routine and your customers will notice your personality more than your fall.
The best dancer possible is one that is one-hundred percent true to themselves. Those are the ones that stand out.
Take Care of Yourself to Avoid Burnout
Dancing is hard work, and that doesn’t take into account all of the preparation you must complete before you go up on stage. If you find yourself exhausted and lacking in energy when it’s time your shift, take it easier on yourself.
It’s helpful to find a routine you can perform that doesn’t take every bit of focus and energy you have. Focus on engaging with customers those nights that you’re too tired to throw your all into dancing.
Take care of yourself first, and you’ll have no issues shining like a multi-faceted diamond on-stage.
Listen to the Wisdom of Veteran Dancers
I questioned my fellow dancers long and hard for these tips, hoping to help you take the reins of your career and master exotic dancing. First and foremost is always finding the right dancewear. Look no further than ShopMoola, for handmade exotic dance outfits that will help you shine your brightest.
The best part?
You can use your extra tips to make the most of free shipping on ShopMoola’s site!
I hope you dance your hardest during your next shift. Your hustle and hard work is all you need to develop yourself into the best dancer in your club. Soon the newbies will be coming to you, asking for your advice on the best outfits or ways to engage more fully with customers.
Don’t forget the dancers who showed you the way. Those newbies will never even know what hit them.