How to be a successful exotic dancer
Exotic Dancer or Stripper - Salary, How to Become, Job Description & Best Schools
How to Become an
The complete career guide to be an Exotic Dancer or Stripper: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.
Why We Love It
Exotic dancers may work in strip clubs, they may perform at private events like bachelor or bachelorette parties, or they may do both. They perform on stage, dancing and performing acrobatic tricks on a pole, or they may also perform lap dances with individual customers in secluded areas.
What is an Exotic Dancer or Stripper?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in exotic dancer or stripper roles:
- Earn tips by performing dance and acrobatic routines on stage at a strip club
- Earn money by providing individual lap dances for established fees, or earn money by performing strip teases at private parties
- Mingle with customers and engage in conversations to encourage private sessions and repeat visits
- Put together costumes, hairstyles, and makeup that are attractive and provocative
A Day in the Life
Exotic dancers may work in strip clubs, or they may perform at private parties. Some earn money through both types of engagements. For both roles, exotic dancers perform dance routines, acrobatics on a pole, and other types of entertainment. Some exotic dancers remove all of their clothing during performances, and others are required by law to keep certain pieces of clothing on. However, most strip tease sessions end with the exotic dancer wearing as few clothes as legally possible.
Most exotic dancers are self-employed. They are generally not employed by the clubs they work at and actually pay a fee to rent the stage and space used at strip clubs. Because of this, they do not earn an hourly rate and are dependent on the money they make from dances and tips to earn a living. While exotic dancers make some tips from dances performed on stage, they generally earn most of their money from private lap dance sessions. These are charged for by the song or by a specific time period.
Different states have different rules around what exotic dancers are and aren’t allowed to do. In some states, private lap dances are prohibited. Some states allow full nudity, some allow topless dancing only, and some require dancers to wear tops and bottoms. Some states prohibit touching between dancers and customers, where others allow minimal touching. Because of this, the day to day responsibilities can vary greatly based on where an exotic dancer works, as well as his/her own personal guidelines.
Typical Work Schedule
Because most exotic dancers are independent contractors and work for themselves, they can work as much or as little as they want. They can also set their own hours, though most tend to work evenings and weekends because those are the times when they can make the most money.
Typical Employers
Most exotic dancers work for themselves and simply rent space and stage time at strip clubs. However, some exotic dancers may work for the clubs they dance at, and some may work for exotic dancer services that provide strippers for private events like bachelor or bachelorette parties.
How To Become an Exotic Dancer or Stripper
No formal higher education is required to become an exotic dancer. In fact, many exotic dancers choose the occupation as a way to earn great money while in college pursuing a degree. The primary requirement for most exotic dancing roles is that you’re of legal age to work as an exotic dancer in your area. Each state has its own laws and regulations over age restrictions, as well as clothing requirements and other laws—so make sure to educate yourself on the legalities of the role before auditioning.
Becoming an exotic dancer is usually a matter of auditioning successfully. Some clubs will have amateur nights where they allow multiple aspiring exotic dancers to audition, and some will allow you to walk in on any night, get up on stage, and start dancing to prove you have the skills required. Physique may or may not be important—different clientele want to see different things—but stage presence and talent are critical. Whether you’re being hired by the club or just renting the space, clubs want exotic dancers who can draw crowds and will get rid of those that don’t have the right talents to appeal to audiences.
Succeeding as an exotic dancer that works for private parties is usually a matter of advertising your services at the club to receive invitations to work at events, or marketing your services in other ways. Some exotic dancers maintain websites and business cards, and others market services through a paid third-party provider that refers clients to the exotic dancer when appropriate. Some marketing and business skills can be helpful in this line of work since you’ll be accountable for generating all of your own income.
Exotic Dancer or Stripper Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
---Average
---High Range
---National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$9/hrAverage
$18/hrHigh Range
$33/hrHow do Exotic Dancer or Stripper salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Exotic Dancer or Stripper's can make an average annual salary of ---, or $18 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make --- or $9 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
Highest Education Among Exotic Dancer or Strippers
- 0.5% Doctorate
- 4.3% Masters
- 17% Bachelors
- 10.6% Associates
- 29% College
- 26.7% High School
- 11.9% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
13,0002024 Est. Jobs
13,600Job Growth Rate
4. 6%Est. New Jobs
600How does Exotic Dancer or Stripper job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 600 jobs for a total of 13,600 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 4.6% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
What Companies Employ The Most Exotic Dancer or Strippers
Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
---|---|---|---|
Self-employed workers | 2,000 | 100 | 0% |
Drinking places (alcoholic beverages) | 1,700 | --- | --- |
Other schools and instruction; private | 900 | 200 | 0% |
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Create good habits to achieve success as an exotic dancer
Part of my job is to train and guide our dancers so that they can be financially independent. I spend many hours, preparing meetings, presentations, etc. On my research I find a lot of useful tips and advices from different sources. Below is probably one of the best I ever have found so far, from the blog "Survive the Club". These tips can be applied to all types of industry or profession, and for everyone who struggling in business in these modern times and have to deal with a lot of depression and anxiety:
"If you have ever taken a basic psychology course or share with me a love for personal development, you probably understand the term “conditioning.” Conditioning is what happens to us when we make the assumption based on past experiences, that A+B will have an outcome of C. For example, if every time you sold a lap dance, you got a lollipop along with your $20-40, you would come to expect the lollipop. Up close, it’s easy to see the simple connections we make, “If I smile on stage and make eye contact, I will make more money on stage.” If you know this works, it’s because you’ve tested it and you know it to be true.
If you take some time to reflect on your past, I’m sure you can see the patterns that have been set in your life based on your conditioning in all arenas. A person who grew up with base in the family is more likely to have issues in relationship; either dating abusive people, become abusive themselves, or both. If a person had a lot of experiences traveling that made them feel free and weightless and amazing, they probably already have their next trip planned and are working on a way to achieve their travel goal. While I think that it is imperative that we explore our pasts to figure out what we are going to make of life today, what this post is really about is how what you do today greatly impacts the person you will be tomorrow.
By becoming a stripper you made a big decision. We call it the adult entertainment industry, but it's not just because we show our boobies, but because the stuff you see around here really is some heavy, grown up shit sometimes! That said, if you want to be an adult in an adult industry, it is really important that you take responsibility for how you are currently conditioning your future self; it's the grown up thing to do, be self aware enough to recognize that every single day as you venture into this new world, you are building habits, and it's your choice which ones you are going to build for yourself. If you have never seen a dancer sleeping in her car or living in hotel rooms because they have nowhere to go, you know how real it is. If you have ever seen a survivor of sexual assault forced to engage in sex work because she doesn't have any money saved or has a habit or family to support, you know how real it is. It is not the strip club that traps people, it was their own minds, and often drug, alcohol, or relationship dependency. I hope you guys like bullet points as much as I do. Here are some things you can do to keep your mind healthy and keep you from brainwashing yourself into believing that this is all you will ever be:
Keep your goal list close. It is important to remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing.
Consistently put positive things into your brain. Always have a project, something that you are reading, learning, working on, improving. The strip club can be pretty negative and can provide you with a lot of idle resting time. Get your rest, but also make sure you take time to instill new habits consciously.
Hang pictures in your living room of things you really want in life. Feng Shui suggests that since this is the room you spend the most time in, you will be burning the desires into your subconscious.
Be aware of and respect your subconscious mind. When you disassociate or numb out like most of us do at the club, there is still some aspect of what is actually happening that is creeping in. Be aware of it, and find outlets to clear out this negativity. Running, yoga, writing, meditation, being in nature, long periods of solitude, therapy, and reading are some of mine, but maybe you love painting and have always wanted to learn French. Now is a great time to check yourself. (Scrolling and shopping don't count as therapy.)
Pay attention to the people you are surrounding yourself with. Do not become friends with people who you do not respect. If your family is toxic, either keep them at a distance or start doing some ground work to improve the relationship, dump your boyfriend if he is making you insane.
We share a collective consciousness that we cannot see or feel. Take responsibility for your share. Add only positivity to our shared think-space.
Make a ritual of something you really love. It can be anything that makes you smile, just commit to doing it once a day."
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I want to dance. 10 misconceptions about dancing
The desire to learn how to dance is natural and natural in the modern world. You can list the reasons, starting with obvious and popular pragmatic desires, for example, to start moving or losing weight, ending with unconscious and even existential ones.
This is due to the fact that dances are at the subtle intersection of the inner and outer worlds, physical and spiritual. Above this, music becomes a driver that cannot leave anyone indifferent.
In dancing, there is magic inside a person, which is not always noticeable when viewed from the side. At the initial stage, it is the external picture that attracts to dances, and sometimes repels, as it seems too frivolous and superficial.
But there are even stronger obstacles that stop many people from starting dancing. These illusions and delusions roam the minds of the majority, and are often afraid to ask about them directly, or they ask the question about it so often that they are no longer ready to hear an honest direct answer. I will try to do it in this article.
There are many examples of contemporary dance instructors sharing their thoughts about not expecting to be in the dance industry. Once upon a time there was a man and was engaged in adult, serious business. Sometimes even very serious. A person could have children and even grandchildren. I saw dances only on stage or on TV. For reasons unknown to himself, he ended up in dances. At first, everything seemed like entertainment and a useful pastime. But time has passed, and a person catches himself thinking that he thinks about dancing not just every day, but really all the time. A couple of years pass, and he already becomes a teacher or organizer of some event.
A similar path can start at 15 or 55 years old. The only difference will be in the self-perception of the starting stage, that it’s too late to dance. In fact, for each age there is its own dance direction, which can reveal it to the greatest extent at this stage. Hip-hop or breaking is closer to children and teenagers, and Argentine tango is closer to adults. It's never too late to start dancing. You need to make the right choice of dance style based on several parameters: age, gender, music, goal. There is a dance direction for any arrangement.
Misconception 2: Men don't dance
Our culture has a number of restrictions related to dancing. Most of these causes are psychological and lie outside the realm of rational reasoning.
First, in our culture, in principle, dancing for pleasure or self-expression appeared relatively recently. 20-30 years ago dance clubs were only for children. To start dancing even in adolescence was considered exotic.
Secondly, the aesthetics of the body in our country for men is not in the focus of attention. In general, this can be attributed to the fact that Russian men try hard not to draw attention to their appearance and clothing. Men in our country use other tools for this.
Third, dancing is associated with entertainment and alcohol. If a man feels serious and respectable, then he either does not have time or desire for this.
Nowadays the general cultural background has changed and the result is that men are learning to dance. It becomes as much a sign of masculinity as clothing, hair or beard.
Unfortunately, many misconceptions remain even among those who have already started dancing. Dance teachers do not always pay attention to this, as it seems to them that this is a matter of course.
Fallacy 3: special training is needed
For an outside observer, there is always a cognitive dissonance about what dance is. What he sees on the big stage in the form of a show with sweeping movements and splits is obviously dancing. Breakers doing unimaginable elements in the air and on their hands, competing with each other, also seem to be dancing. Pensioners in the park waltz. Dancing again, but for some reason everyone is so different. How to understand that this is a dance, and what physical criteria should be in the body.
In fact, any self-expression through the body to music can be attributed to dance. There are a number of reservations, but they are not essential. For self-expression, a person uses the set of plastics that he has. Subtlety and technique do not depend on extreme ways of self-expression, and it often happens that splits and somersaults interfere with a meaningful dance. The development of plasticity and the expansion of the body's capabilities are part of the preparation of a dancer, but not an end in itself.
Fallacy 4: You must learn to dance in pairs
In couple dancing, the final learning outcome is that the couple dances at a party. It would seem that you should always train together to get the desired result. This is not true. Let's take an example from boxing. An indicator of a boxer's skill is a fight with an opponent, but this does not mean that he must constantly fight. Also, the ability to dance is built on the possession of one's own body and the ability to interact.
The skill of the teacher is the correct selection of methods so that the student masters the skill. Based on the skill, you can engage in creativity and self-expression in dance. Not everyone knows, but it is no coincidence that almost all social dance dancers have a serious dance background, which is based on the development of individual techniques.
The same can be attributed to the interaction in a pair. The ability to separate in oneself the one who leads and the one who follows the lead is impossible within the framework of studying the sequence of movements in pairs. For this, there are special exercises that make the skill more versatile. For this, the presence of a permanent couple is not necessary, as well as the regular presence of a partner in general.
IMPORTANT! You can’t experiment at a party, and everything should be in its place there: men dance with women.
Getting rid of illusions is a complex internal process. If you leave them to yourself, you can even get the opposite result.
Fallacy 5: plastique and stretching are mandatory attributes of dance
Much depends on the genre of dance that you want to master. In previous articles, I have already mentioned that different dance styles are suitable for different ages. It is appropriate to dance hip-hop in adolescence or youth, Argentine tango is a more adult dance, it is important to enter classical choreography at a young age.
The degree of necessary plasticity and sensitivity to the dance direction also correlates. For example, breaking requires great physical effort and dexterity. Elements are built on acrobatics and high speed of execution. Whom do they suit best? Obviously young people.
There is a lot of interaction in salsa. It is necessary to feel the partner subtly, to be able to show a variety of figures and elements. Twine or acrobatics are completely inappropriate here. However, a variety of ways to show oneself are required. Accordingly, the dance is youthful, but not at all childish.
The older the dance, the less stretching or acrobatics is required. The main emphasis is on the quality of technology, the variety of ideas and the ability to show plasticity.
Misconception 6: Mirrors are necessary for learning
There is a set of instruments that dancers use to learn how to dance. The fact is that the dancer needs to receive feedback on how his movements look from the side. It is impossible to dance and see yourself from the side at the same time. The most common tool is a mirror. But not the only one.
Like any auxiliary tool, mirrors have positive and negative effects. The positive is that they can receive feedback in real time and technically it is not very difficult. The downside can be dependence on mirrors. A situation where a dancer cannot capture the feeling of dancing, such as on stage or at a party. For these purposes, you can use, among other things, video filming or proper preparation.
In many countries in Latin America, dance classrooms are not equipped with mirrors. Classes are held in bars or large halls. The dancers initially form the skill of focusing on the inner sensation, and not the habit of looking for their reflection in the mirror with their eyes.
Misconception 7: there is a lot of obsceneness in dancing
A common question from novice dancers who are taking their first steps in more contact couple dances is “in order to dance cool, there must be passion inside the couple?”. I immediately answer that no, not necessarily. Kizomba, bachata and Argentine tango attract many with their close contact. Like any other contact in our everyday life, in dances, contact can be different. We hug friends, parents, children. These hugs can wear many different shades. Sexual overtones are one of many.
The culture of dance also includes the boundaries of what is acceptable. A compliment from a well-mannered person is different from a statement about female sexuality by a gopnik. Usually, those who study at a dance school already have an idea of what boundaries should not be crossed. A good dance from a technical point of view will never look vulgar or vulgar.
Dancers always have a choice about the boundaries of contact. Most prefer to leave a good impression of themselves, as word spreads just as fast in the dance world.
Misconception 8: the best dancers are the bearers of culture
Even the very question of the origin of this or that dance can be paradoxical and ambiguous, especially when it comes to its development and performance.
For example, the Viennese waltz did not originate in Vienna, but in Germany. Salsa has its main roots in the USA, not in Cuba. The famous Greek folk dance sirtaki was invented for the film Zorba the Greek and appeared only in 1964.
The same can be attributed to the development of modern dance styles. Korea is known for its world-leading break dancers. People go to Turkey for Argentine tango, Spain is strong with excellent salsa and bachata dancers, in Egypt, Russians are considered the best belly-dance performers.
A good dance is based on quality training and diligence. Skin color, place of birth and age are secondary. Exotic appearance, unfortunately, is often a reason to be more superficial about one's own professional development. This becomes the reason for the low level of teaching among the bearers of culture. I am sure that few readers of this post will be ready to conduct a master class in Russian folk dance outside of Russia.
The mastery of mastering and teaching a particular style does not depend on the dancer's homeland. And "they absorbed the dance with their mother's milk" is nothing more than a common misconception.
Misconception 9: You have to know a lot of moves to learn how to dance
Focusing on learning a lot of moves often detracts from the essence of dance. Of course, the sequence of figures is important. Especially at the start. Over time, the dancer should have an understanding of how movements can be generated independently. Accordingly, instead of memorizing millions of figures, you can understand how to create them.
From every system of improvisation that a dancer can use as an instrument, dozens, hundreds or thousands of variations are derived. This frees the head from trying to reproduce the exact sequence and definitely adds freedom in the performance of the dance.
The huge theme of musicality can be attributed to the same question. Not every pre-conceived or learned sequence will fit specific music. The dance should give freedom, and not drive the dancer into the shell of the cords.
Misconception 10: dancing is homosexual
The unusually high attention to the body and flair from stories about professional ballet led to the spread of this myth, among other things. Unfortunately, such an idea still exists in the minds of our fellow citizens.
The dance industry is now very broad and is represented by many dance styles. Some of them can even be called homophobic. Dances reflect the general attitude to the world and it is different depending on the life position and worldview of a person.
In many dances there is contact between the dancers. In Russia, dance contact between men has always been perceived very intensely. In most other countries it is different. An example of the fact that this tension is associated only with the dance theme and does not apply to other areas is, for example, wrestling. When practicing techniques, men are in much closer contact with each other. Sometimes lying on the floor and holding each other tightly. The historical roots of Greco-Roman wrestling are also ambiguous from a sexual point of view. But in our country, unlike dance, they are perceived as acceptable and brutal.
Dance, like the culture of speech, makes a modern person more successful and self-confident. The ability to control one's body, tune in to another person and the ability to be aesthetic in the plasticity of movement is valuable in the modern world. If we add here the pleasure of the process and the availability of dance as such, then the possibilities of this activity can hardly be overestimated.
It's sad when interested people are stopped by prejudices and myths that have nothing to do with dancing. Freedom in body movements begins with freedom of thought and willingness to change.
I hope that this review will help to take a different look at the dance culture for those who still have doubts about whether to start dancing.
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ᐅ How to become a dancer? | How do they become dancers?
Many people dream of working as a professional dancer, imagining fame, popularity and the brilliance of spotlights. But how to become a dancer, what is needed for this? Let's find out!
To begin with, it is worth understanding that this is, first of all, hard work, and only a few are given to break onto the stage.
The profession of a dancer requires good physical shape and long training sessions.
Contents:
- How to become a dancer?
- How do you become a dancer from scratch?
- Schools where one becomes a dancer
- How to become a dancer without education?
- How to become a good and successful dancer?
How to become a dancer?
Anyone can become a dancer. This does not require special education, somewhere to study, and all that is needed is to experience the pleasure of dancing. But that's if it's a hobby. Amateur and professional dancing, pleasure and work as a dancer are very different concepts.
I dream of becoming a professional dancer. How do they become dancers in general, what do you need to know and be able to do, how to start?
Unfortunately, and perhaps fortunately, not all become successful dancers. To do this, you need not only to love to dance, but also to have a confident and strong desire to improve, overcoming difficulties.
In order to reach the top in the profession, it is not so much external data that is important, but attitude to business and diligence. With these qualities, you can become a good dancer, whose performances are pleasant to watch the audience.
How do you become a dancer from scratch?
In order to become a dancer from scratch, you need to be sure that this particular job will become the work of a lifetime. Such a creative profession requires complete dedication and the ability to express vivid emotions.
In addition, you need to prepare physically and develop endurance. After all, rehearsals last many hours and take place almost every day.
Before you start mastering the profession, you need to decide on the style.
There are a huge number of them, and it is important to choose the most suitable one for yourself. When choosing, it is worth considering personal preferences and your level of physical fitness. For confidence, you can rehearse in front of a mirror.
Educational institutions where one becomes a dancer
You can become a dancer after receiving a special education. To do this, you need to enter an art college or university. They are accepted here on the basis of nine and 11 classes, depending on the direction.
To enroll in a group, you need to pass a creative competition, for which you should prepare well. You also need to be ready to provide the results of the exam in Russian and literature. The exact list of subjects required for admission can be clarified at the educational institution.
Training to be a dancer in an educational institution is not yet a guarantee that you can become one.
Getting a professional education on the basis of a college or university will not yet give you the opportunity to become a dancer, but it is an opportunity to acquire all the necessary knowledge and skills.
Experienced teachers will help you develop your talent and fully unlock your creative potential. They will point out mistakes and help correct them. But a lot depends on the student. Therefore, the educational institution itself will not make you a dancer, it will only give you an opportunity.
For example, while studying, students have the opportunity to participate in many competitions and festivals, which will help them test their strength and even get a job offer.
How to become a dancer without education?
Many people become dancers without special education. For this profession, attitude and talent are much more important. If a person truly loves to dance and develops his abilities, then he will be able to achieve considerable success. It is important to understand that a couple of hours of training three times a week is not enough to become a professional dancer. You have to work hard and hone your skills.
For beginner dancers, it is not so much the technique of performance that is important, but the development of endurance and the ability to express their emotions through body language. The presence of charisma and a bright personality distinguishes a good dancer from the rest. You need to be ready for constant hard training and strictly follow the regimen.
You can learn to dance professionally if you have good skills on your own. But it is better to seek help from professionals. To do this, there are many circles, courses and dance schools. There, in a fairly short time, you can master a certain dance style. Regular classes with a dance teacher will help develop physical endurance, learn basic dance moves, and develop talent in yourself.
Members of clubs and dance schools often get the opportunity to participate in competitions and perform at concerts. This has a positive effect on emotional mood, increases confidence and gives you the opportunity to express yourself. Achievements in competitions will be a great addition to the portfolio of a novice dancer.
How to become a good and successful dancer?
In order to succeed and shine on stage, you will have to make a lot of effort. The most important qualities of a good dancer are charisma, perseverance and hard work.
The main thing is to choose this profession consciously and remember that behind the beauty and brilliance of dancers' performances there are constant training and heavy workloads.
And as mentioned above, one cannot become a dancer overnight, without proper preparation. You need to play sports and follow the necessary regimen. Only thanks to this, professional dancers cope with difficult numbers and exhausting rehearsals.
It is important to choose the most appropriate dance style for you. You can master it perfectly by completing training as a dancer in a professional educational institution.