I’m taking Mardi Gras easy this year, but big events happening again have me thinking about Final Fours, Superbowls, Festivals, and seasonal travel. On that note, here are some tips to make traveling for big events easier, more profitable, and worth doing again!
1. If possible, audition ahead:
Clubs get so busy that everything gets harder in events - housing, transportation, auditions, tours, and getting to know the club rates and the staff. Taking a short trip at least a few weeks before gives you the lay of the land, and means you can hit the ground running when it counts.
2. Plan for long shifts:
The magic of big events is rarely easy, quick money. It’s usually big money…for those that have the stamina and patience to sift through the crowds. If you’re working a big event, you won’t know when the big spenders will walk in - so, practice powering through long shifts before it counts.
3. Make limited offers:
It’s busy. It’s loud. They’re drunk/celebrating/tired. This isn’t time to roll through every option in your club. Decide what 1-2 things you want to offer, and practice how you’re going to offer them. Example: “It’s 1,000 for the hour. Ready?” Big spenders will move faster when you have that level of confidence, and having a secondary offer (“well, we can start with a hundred and then you’ll be begging me for the room”) for budget buyers means you’re giving everyone a chance to make the right choice.
4. Move on!
If you’ve been letting yourself sit around and nurse customers, start practicing the art of moving on! If you sit for free, there’s no getting that time back or getting paid for it - so practice making lots of offers while you’re there, and moving on to the next one quickly if they’re not biting.
5. Make BIG asks:
If your customer’s face drops when you ask for an amount, start assuming that it’s because you asked for too little. I mean it. Not every customer can afford to tip in the thousands or do multiple hours…but assuming the one in front of you can’t afford to spend big is a really really easy way to miss out on the big spenders! (
And no, that doesn’t mean you have to ask the club regular that only gets one lap dance and has a $20 budget to give you thousands of dollars; although even then it would cost you nothing and all you’d hear is “no.” The point is: use your discretion, but don’t stop yourself from aiming high).
And for the sake of all that’s good....have fun! You’ll only be here as this version of yourself once. Don’t let anyone else’s stress, anxiety, insecurity, or expectations seep into your day. Drop a tip for working big events in the comments/drop a question so someone else can answer it!
]]>I overshared with a customer and now he doesn't want to give me his money!
It sucks. But we’ve all done it, haven’t we?
Nothing hurts more than realizing you’ve been sitting there with someone’s dad for the last 30 minutes ….with no more money in your pocket than when you started.
I mean it! When you’re at the strip club you’re selling a fantasy.
You can sell the fantasy that your day is always going great…or you can lose money all day long by using your customers as free therapists.
Your customers do not need to hear your complaints, excuses, or annoyances - they came in here to escape from their own!
Instead of getting stuck in the habit of venting at your customers, check in with yourself about what experience they’re getting!
Just to be clear, not saying you can’t experience tough emotions at work. We all do.
But when you’re there to work, bringing in your problems, complaints, annoyances, and fears into the conversation only accomplishes one thing: creating more problems for you!
Like, for example: this dude is no longer going to give you his money!
Ask open-ended questions, have pre-planned jokes and lines, and focus on giving friendly and welcoming body language. Fake it until you make it.
I know, right? Why would you do this? Why would anyone do this?
You’re having a day.
You’re not paying attention to what you’re saying.
And then - a comment comes out of your mouth.
Or, a manipulative customer gets you to answer something like:
And suddenly, your mouth is moving….DON’T DO IT TO YOURSELF!
Hear it from me before you find out at the club: CUSTOMERS ARE TATTLETALES! They’re snitches! They are tea-spilling, cheese-eating gossips!
If you walk around talking poorly about the management, about the floor staff, about other dancers, it is going to get around to them.
I’ve flown across the country just to run into a DJ that knows a DJ that works at my last club...and you better believe they’ve got a groupchat!
So don’t let yourself (or anyone else) step in your way by gossiping about the people you have to see every shift!
I had this customer who came in and spent hours and hours in VIP with me. He said he wanted to come back, and I was thrilled!
So of course I gave him my real number - so he could tell me when he was back in town.
…well, guess who came to the club a few weeks later with my name, my last address, and identifying information about my school and loved ones!
By the way, did I mention I wasn’t even out as a stripper yet?
That was TERRIFYING! And I am so, so lucky he never did anything with that information!
Customers do NOT need to know:
The most manipulative and controlling people can come off as kind and willing to help you when you first meet!
And even after time, when something goes wrong or there’s a fight, you do not want an angry regular to have any information that could hurt you!
Be so, so careful with what you share.
And prevent these awkward interactions by getting a burner number (apps like Hushed and Burner are great for this) and coming up with a backstory that’s believable - but omits important details.
You want to lower the value of your time?
Start talking about your money!
Whether you brag about how much you’ve made already...
(what he’s thinking: “wow, looks like I can’t afford this/looks like she doesn’t need it as much as I do”)
or you complain about how little you’ve made.
(“what he’s thinking: “what’s wrong with her? Why is no one else spending money?”)
And, by the way, you’re devaluing their experience. They’re here to relax and to have a great time.
That’s a privilege they should pay for, of course - but you won’t get him to pay for that if what he’s fixating on is your salary instead of his potentially positive experience.
And finally, part of that great experience means…
You are interesting, and unique, and delightful.
It’s why your customer wants to hang out with you.
And the more you make it about you, the less it’s worth to them to keep going.
Believe me, if a customer wants to hear about you, they will ask.
They will be fascinated and interested in everything you’ve got to say.
But even more interesting and important to them is...themselves!
So, if you’re not 110% sure the next thing you’re about to say will be more interesting to your customer than themselves...check in!
Ask what they want to talk about. What’s on their mind. What their preferences are.
Of course, there are always exceptions to rules…but keeping these topics off the table will, in the long run, make a huge difference in how customers engage with you, and in how much they’re willing to buy from you!
I hope these are helpful, and if you’d like to learn more about building rapport with customers join us for 10 Sales Commandments!
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Luxury living, money flying down in clouds, and the chance to make it big….who wouldn’t want to be a stripper?
Popular culture shows one side of the industry, but if you’re just getting started as a stripper, I’m gonna take a guess that your immediate reasons aren’t fame and glory.
You’ve probably got bills to pay, loans with an interest rate, groceries to buy, maybe a medical bill or two, and a paycheck that doesn’t even come close to covering all of that!
Why would I guess that?
Because that’s why I got into this business.
And most of my work friends started out the same way - not for clout, but to cover some pretty basic needs that weren’t being met.
Here’s the truth though:
I still know plenty of folks in the industry who are struggling with these same things. Basic living expenses, much less luxury goods, are NOT a guarantee in the strip club industry!
In fact, most of those popular culture descriptions of the industry miss the mark on what it’s like day-to-day.
Stripping isn’t just stage shows and customers making it rain. Navigating the industry takes patience, effort, tough skin, and some top-notch money management and sales skills.
Without those, you may be dancing, but could still be dealing with the same issues you would have in any other job.
So, how do you know if stripping is right for you?
There’s no perfect formula, but…
A great starting place is figuring out exactly what your reasons are for showing up at the strip club - and what your goals are going to be once you get started.
Take the quiz below to find out if you should become a stripper and quit your day job!
Whether you're just getting started or are already years in the industry, if you still feel like you're struggling and making basic mistakes that cost you money, time, and energy at the club, Baby Stripper Starter Pack is PERFECT for you!
We go step-by-step through the hiring process, building a sales strategy that works for your club, and creating long-term habits to save you money, stress, and uncertainty in the future.
In this comprehensive course, we give you a clear process you can follow to show up as a professional, prepared, and effective stripper.
Wondering how to audition to become a stripper? It's in here!
Not quite sure what a lap dance looks like or don't know how to give a lap dance? I'll break it down for you!
Tired of showing up hoping to make money each night instead of hitting your targets over and over again? Let me show you how?
]]>A few years back I had a colleague ask me this, and it kind of blew my mind.
Because her stage performances were awesome, she was super friendly, and stunning.
But she was still struggling in this area.
Why were customers still holding off on staying in VIP rooms with her for multiple hours?
Well, it’s because they’re different skillsets!
Your presentation, your stage skills, and your communication skills are all different ways you can make income..
And being great at one isn’t a guarantee you’ll be great at the other!
Now, I don’t want to be mistaken for braggadocious...because a stage performer I am NOT. And while my work look is put together, I am not the most stylish person in my everyday life.
However, getting customers to VIP is something I’ve had a lot of practice doing and I seek out clubs where this is the primary skillset on display.
And while there are tons of ways to get it right, if this is a stopping point in your income at the club, here are some tips that may help you get more wins on the floor:
What is it that your customers get for their money?
And don’t tell me “a fun time” or “a dance” or “more privacy.”
Sure, that’s what he gets. But he can also get that with any other dancer at your club.
I mean what does he get when he buys from YOU?
What’s the unique experience you’re selling?
What can you do with one hour...much less 5 hours together?
And by the way, what can you do with that time within your boundaries?
If you can answer that question clearly for yourself, you’re going to get a lot more mileage out of VIP.
And if you can’t yet answer this question, I encourage you to take advantage of my FREE list of 50 Ideas for Things to Do In VIP here.
While having plenty of ideas is great, the good news is you only need to do 2-3 things really well to DRASTICALLY improve your VIP sales and renewals.
So, what is it that you’re selling?
I know, I know, cheesy.
But it’s true!
You will get pushback, and objections, and rejection, and doubt…
And if you can’t overcome them, you can’t make the sale!
So, when I say buy it yourself, I don’t just mean believing in yourself, or affirming yourself, or hyping yourself up (which are all good too, by the way).
What I mean by “buy it yourself” is to start practicing your responses to all the common objections and excuses customers will give you not to spend.
Show up completely sold on what you’re selling and ready to answer their questions.
You must be ready to tell them why they should buy and be confident that what you’re offering is exactly what they need in their life.
Which, by the way, means you’ll need to...
Do you know what every customer hears, multiple times every night?
“Hibabydoyouwannahavesomefun/wantadance/hihowsyourday?”
After a while, you’re going to sound like a broken record to your customer...
Like every other entertainer that has approached them.
Like a big blog of text that blends into the rest of their day.
Like something that won’t capture their attention or make them change their course of action.
If you want your customers to pay attention to you, pay attention to what you say.
From your first approach to your closing lines, you have so many options to upsell and connect with your customers!
Give your customers a reason to buy from you by stepping up your lines.
By the way, if this sounds like a lot of work, consider...
Getting thrown off your game by easy objections (like “it costs too much!”, “what happens in the back?”) is WORK.
Missing out on great tips because you’re not sure about how to ask is WORK.
And walking through the room again and again because you think can only connect with 1 or 2 customers in the room (while missing out on all the other ones) is a ton of work!
Instead of avoiding work or settling for less, the last tip I’ll drop here is…
Every single customer will tell you no.
There will be no perfect customer.
Even the best customer will have a spending limit and a time they leave the club.
And the worst thing a terrible customer can pay you is $0.
Most customers you interact with may pay you $0, but it’s not about them! They are only extras in your story.
Your goal is to find supporting characters that will be happy to pay for the privilege of your time and company.
And you will find them so much faster once you stop being afraid of rejection!
The single best way to find more customers, to learn more lessons, and to earn more income, is to get excited about rejection! Yes - EXCITED!
I promise you that rejection is something you can train your brain to love.
And once you do, you’re going to see better results.
]]>Published February 10, 2021 • 7 min read
]]>Prefer video instead? Watch here:
If you are on OnlyFans, you already know that you're setting your own subscription price. You get to decide how much people are going to pay to see your content. And you also probably noticed when you created your page, that you were given the option to make it free. If you don't have already have a free page, it's probably because you looked at that and you were like...
"Why in the world would I be putting in any energy, time, and effort to deliver a FREE product?!"
And I get it. I 100% hear you - why in the world would you do that?
But let me ask you this... if you’re against putting in energy, time, and effort for something that provides zero monetary return - why in the world are you on social media at all whatsoever? If you are on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc., I really want to ask you, when did you ever cash a check from Facebook or Instagram or Twitter?
Yes, you may have converted people into buying something from you from your social media accounts, but you never got directly paid on those platforms. But imagine if you did. Imagine if your Twitter feed let you collect tips, let you sell clips, let you interact with potential customers, and gave you a giant megaphone where you could tell everyone and their Momma, "Hey, I am making content. The content is really good. You already have your credit card in the system. You already trust and use this system regularly. Oh, and you can also pay me right here, right where you are, without committing to a recurring subscription right now."
If that sounds like an amazing idea, let me introduce you to having a free page on OnlyFans. Having a free page is an amazing promotional tool. It gives you the opportunity to create an additional stream of income and it doesn't have any of the censorship or restriction issues that you would find on a lot of those social media platforms where content creators are trying to promote.
These are all really, really great reasons to build a free page right now. But you're also probably wondering, Carmen, “How am I going to get people into this free page? If I'm having trouble getting people to subscribe to my paid page, why would I want to create a whole other workflow, a whole bunch of other stuff I got to do? How does this actually help me if I still have to get them to subscribe to my page?”
When something is free, it's a lot easier to get people to sign up for it. If you have a free account, it's going to be infinitely easier for people to just click and subscribe because it's low risk for them.
And while it still takes time and effort to grow your following, there are plenty of ways you can drive people to your free OnlyFans- whether that's through your social media, cross-promotion with other content creators, or through paid promotion.
Bottom line: it's so, so much easier to get them IN the door when they're not paying upfront to see it.
2. More opportunities to sell once they’re in the door
Once you get them in the door to see your amazing content, it's so much easier to keep them around because they really don’t have much reason to leave (unless your page delivers nothing). And by the way, what you have to deliver on a free page is so much less than on a paid page because expectations should be low. Remember, they are getting it for $free.99, so don’t stress about putting up fresh new daily content every day.
That being said. I want you to really, really think through how you can make this free page valuable for a subscriber. How can your free page be more than just a place to promote your paid page - how can it be its own source of income. There are creators who are using their free page MORE than their paid page to sell content, and it can be just as much income as your paid. It could be more income than your paid. It could also generate less income than your paid page, but still be a substantiative chunk of change.
Usually, on your paid pages, your customers are going to be able to see every post that you put on your wall.
But on free pages, you can create posts that customers have to pay to unlock. This could be video clips, photos - whatever you’d like. So, as soon as someone goes to your free page, they can read your really tantalizing description of what’s waiting on the other side once they unlock your post, decide "I want that", and then just click to buy it. It's that easy.
2. Ask for a tipOn top of being able to sell your content, you also have a tipping feature for your posts. So, if your posts are really cute, or if you know how to engage your audience, or if you're doing some kind of contest for the week, or you're creating a campaign and asking people to contribute, you can ask for a tip and collect money off your posts.
3. Pay Per View (PPV) MessagesAnd one of the most powerful tools (available on both free and paid), is your messages. Set the price, write a captivating caption, schedule it to send, and sit back as you watch your audience start buying and checking out your content. And most importantly, your customers can start interacting with you directly, get to know you and your brand, your services, and get excited about buying your paid content.
So, as you’re building your free page, sharing all this content, engaging your audience, getting paid tips - you can also be heavily promoting. What’s a super-easy way to do this?
Post once a day on your free page something like: "Thank you so much for being here. Love that you're on my page. Remember, if you want to see all of my uncensored content, or if you want to see full videos on the timeline, you can go over to my premium page. Here's the link. By the way, I'm doing a special promotion for new subscribers. First 10 people get it for [insert number] percent off."
Thanks for reading and hope this post changes your mind about having a free page! It’s really a fantastic place for you to pull in new customers, promote your paid page, interact with potential subscribers for your paid, and has the potential to be another additional income stream for you.
If you decide to start a free page, please consider using my OnlyFans referral link here: https://onlyfans.com/?ref=24731922
And if you don't use mine, use someone's that you care about and that you want to see succeed, because it does help other creators out when folks use their link.
If you’re excited about diving even deeper into these topics, check out our Going Digital course here. In the course, we walk you through how to set up your pages on subscription-based platforms like OnlyFans, and how to run your online content creation like a business. The course covers the fundamentals of growing your online business quickly and efficiently - everything from your pricing, your understanding of scheduling, your batching, your organization, your video editing, your equipment list, your promotion, engaging your audience, and so much more!
And if you’ve used this free & paid page strategy, share how it worked for you in the comments below.
]]>First of all, because someone will drop it in the comments: yes, you could buy property.
If you are planning to stay in one location for a long time, have built the funds, the tax and credit history, have done your research, and can take on the responsibility, renting may be costing more than it makes you. That’s a conversation for another post.
I move every 5-6 months, have no interest in managing a property (yet), and for MY financial/life plan renting has made more sense for the last few years.
And with club closures and work uncertainty, many folks in the industry are not sitting on the funds/with the work safety to buy right now.
Specifically, how to find a rental in your budget, and up your chances through the application process.
There will be options out there at MANY price points – and while you may not be ready to buy yet, you should be getting ready to pay taxes, to invest, and to keep moving forward financially!
If you’re earning fast cash for the first time, it may be tempting to go for a big beautiful dream home…and spend the next few years making your landlord financially secure while you struggle to cover your bills. That’s what you DON’T want.
What you DO want is to identify how much you’re making (on average) per month, how much your non-home bills and expenses are (on average) per month, and how much you should spend on rent to stay on top of your long-term financial goals!
By the way, this is a great time to think outside the box: maybe you get a few (responsible, financially stable) roommates. Maybe you check out student housing, even though it’s decidedly less cool than that off-campus, way more expensive apartment. Maybe you look for an intentional community or a furnished unit – there are lots of options out there, but many of them take a little extra searching up front!
When you’re under pressure, you will often make decisions that serve you short-term…but not so much long-term.
When you’re looking for housing, give yourself at least a few months to check out properties, connect with property owners, and learn about your local options.
If you’re moving into a new city and don’t have the resources to check out the city beforehand, you can also use short-term rental options like AirBnB to stay for a few weeks while you sort out your housing situation – it may be a little more upfront, but could save you thousands while you’re in a lease – think about it this way: if you go for a $1,250 lease when you could have found a place for $900, over just one year you’ll pay $4,200 more for that unit!
As a renter, you will most likely need to show that:
To prepare for applications, make sure you’re keeping track of your prior contact points for rentals, you are keeping track of your finances (for proof of income I usually show bank statements for the past year with all the personal information redacted-aka crossed out), and that you’re ready for the inevitable questions:
I am personally super up front with owners, because I am inevitably going to have late nights, will probably want to install a pole, and will be upgrading the security system of the unit –all things they may want to know.
I also don’t feel like hiding my work as if it’s shameful or wrong – as far as I’m concerned, it’s a steady 6-figure income, it’s legal, and my references will all tell you the same thing: I pay on time, I’m a quiet renter, and by the time I leave, your place will be nicer than when I walked in.
That said: that wasn’t always the case. If you don’t want to disclose what you do day-to-day, here are some tips:
I know. You’re looking for a place, and you want it ASAP.
But you’re not the only one on audition here—the person you’re renting from should also fit your needs and wants!
While it can feel nerve wrecking to look for housing, remember that this will be your home long-term. Don’t be afraid to ask about the property, the maintenance, the amenities, and hell- even the water-pressure.
You’ll learn about the property, but also about the demeanor of the owner. Do they seem respectful? Are they self-aware? Do they seem overly controlling? Did they ask inappropriate questions when showing the property?
It can be daunting to walk away from a property that seems like it could work, but you shouldn’t have to tolerate your living space. You should get to enjoy living in it – especially if you’re the one paying out of pocket to be there.
Not every situation will be perfect, but remember: you can always update or rearrange a place – you can’t update or improve the personality or behavior of roommates/property owners.
Especially if you or your family have ever dealt with housing insecurity, searching for housing can be stressful or bring up not-so-pleasant memories.
But avoiding it can often leave you with fewer options and more stress! If you’re in a mid/long-term rental situation now, start planning TODAY for your future by organizing your finances, paying your current rent regularly, saving up for a deposit/first month, and (even if it's not financially possible to save up) using your phone/computer to get a financial picture of the area - so you know what options may be available when you get closer to a move.
Do you have any stories of dealing with property management or owners? What tips have worked for you when it comes to renting? Comment below!
]]>Clubs (and most other workplaces) are closed until the end of April.
While a lot of information about stimulus payments and unemployment is changing quickly, here's a quick overview of what we know now:
Q: Stimulus payments to individuals. How much can I expect to receive?
Depending on your income level, you may be eligible to receive as much as $1,200 (single filers / under $75,000 adjusted gross income) or $2,400 (joint filers / under $150,000 adjusted gross income) with an additional rebate of $500 per qualifying child.
The IRS will use 2018 tax return information if the taxpayer has not yet filed for 2019. The rebate phases out at $50 for every $1,000 of income earned above those threshold.
Use this calculator here to determine your rebate using your adjusted gross income, number of dependents, and filing status.
If you are eligible, you should expect to receive payments by April 17. If the Internal Revenue Service already has your bank account information from your 2019 or 2018 tax returns, it will transfer the money to you via direct deposit based on the recent income-tax figures it already has. [1]
Q: I’m not eligible for any payment- now what?
A: Good news - the CARES Act has also expanded unemployment coverage
Groups that were previously ineligible for unemployment are now eligible to apply. This is great news as it now includes, most importantly, gig workers that are usually classified as independent contractors. While eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis, here are additional general changes to unemployment benefits under the new bill: [2]
Guidelines and rules vary from state to state and are subject to change in light of recent events. Be sure to read everything carefully, follow instructions, complete forms completely and accurately, and keep records and notes for yourself.
The Labor Department should be publishing guidance in the upcoming weeks about the specific documentation needed to prove wages and work history. Tax forms such as 1099s and some sort of payment stub should are likely to be used.
Expect delays
Unemployment claims have hit an unprecedented high. Nearly 3.3 million people filed first-time claims for unemployment last week — shattering the previous record, set in 1982, by around 2.6 million people. [4] As a result unemployment offices across the country are overwhelmed and experiencing significant backlogs. Some states have implemented filing rules to help with processing claims.
You’ll need to file a weekly claim
Once approved for unemployment benefits, you’ll be required to submit a weekly claim. To make things more efficient and easier, keep notes handy with info that you need to file your claim.
You will need to pay income tax on your unemployment income
Be aware that you will be obligated to pay income tax on any funds you receive from unemployment. Most states offer the option for this to be taken out upfront.
Footnotes:
[1] NY Times - F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Plan
[2] Tax Foundation - Congress Approves Economic Relief Plan for Individuals and Businesses
[3] Forbes - Your Guide To The Federal Stimulus Package
[4] CNBC - What you need to know about unemployment benefits in the coronavirus relief bill
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