Stripper Success Guide: How to Make More Money and Avoid Burnout

Making It in the Club: Smart Strategies for Stripping Success

Hi there, bohemians, welcome back to the blog where I talk about a bunch of topics, primarily about partying and sex work. Today’s post is probably a long time coming, as I love to offer advice to new dancers and seasoned pros on how to make more money and thrive in this industry. But also, how to THRIVE as a dancer as well, which is what this post is all about, so let’s dive in.

Let’s first be real about what success looks like, especially when it comes to working at the club. Strippers who are seen as successful are typically those who spend most of their time in a VIP room or booth, have a steady stream of regular clients, get along well with the other girls and management, consistently look good, and earn a good income. And as we all know, not all girls who dance are successful at it. I would say many of them fail at it or at least struggle and don’t find it as easy as some of the other women do. So how do these special dancers seem to never get bored, always have a smile on their face, and sit on someone’s lap? What does it take to be a successful dancer? Keep reading fam.

 Redefining Success in Stripping

This is far from some manifestation and more of a numbers game. This. Is. A. Sales. JOB. Disclaimer: Many dancers view it as getting paid to party. This is not how you become successful. The easiest trap to fall into is not treating this for what it is: A JOB. Your job is to make the party, keep it going, keep it lit, and ensure that everyone else has a good time. You’re pretending to have a good time while keeping track of numerous things, and if you’re not, please keep reading.

 Making Money: Smart Hustling in the Club

See the post on “how to make $ 1k a night”, but multiple things should always be on a successful dancer’s mind, and it mainly deals with logistics and timing. To maximize your time at the club, each night should be somewhat scheduled, and this will give you the structure you need to hustle.

To break it down, successful dancers do these things:

1.        Arrive at the club early, just as the night shift begins. The later you arrive, the less likely you’ll meet a happy hour guy looking for a random late night. You also have to pay higher house fees the later you come in, and if you arrive too late, it’s hard to get into the groove of the night. 

2.        Arrive at the club ready to work. Hair and makeup should already be done when you walk into the club, so all you have to do is find a locker and change clothes. That is all the time you should be spending in the dressing room. Dancers who hang out in the dressing room for longer than 10 minutes aren’t making money.

3.        When you arrive, try to get on stage as soon as possible. Do this for two reasons: First, you want everyone to see you as you arrive at the club. It’s easier to come up to the new girl to tip her on stage than to approach her at the bar. Second, you get a stage rotation out of the way at the beginning of the night, making it likely you might not get called at all later in the night.

4.        Successful dancers aren’t usually making money on stage, and so it’s advantageous to skip it altogether. A stage rotation on three stages can consume 30 minutes, and during peak hours, it’s better to be selling in VIP than doing rounds on the stages for a fee. (There are exceptions to this, like when celebrities are tipping, there is a big event where people are tipping more than getting dances, or your club is just more focused on stages.)

5.        Try to schedule out your time as much as possible. Try to ensure that at least one regular client can come and see you. If you can schedule multiple clients a night in block chunks based on how much money they spend, their plans for the evening, and the schedule of the other regulars you have to visit, you. This way, you aren’t ever “really alone,” and you have something to look forward to. If you don’t have any regulars, see this post.

6.        If you don’t have regulars, are working a new club, or are just winging it one night, don't worry - the same rule applies. I will sit with someone for a maximum of two drinks before I start discussing buying an upgrade. After they purchase the upgrade, I do whatever I want. If they don’t buy or seem interested at least within two drinks – MOVE THE FUCK ON. They are just being nice to you at that point. Now, of course, there are exceptions, but this is the rule.

7.        Always give good vibes. When you walk in the door make sure to leave your bullshit there. No one wants to hear about your problems. Ever. Unless they are superficial, I cut my hair too short, I think my boobs are too big. That way, they can look, assess, and like what they see. If you bring up your ex-boyfriend or situation, they will not care. Even the old ones DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THIS. Leave your baggage at the door and save your tears for the pillow. You are here to give the illusion of fun.

8.        Speaking of illusions, you are there to create the illusion of the party while always looking for the next score and ensuring your timing for the night is impeccable.

9.        If you do find yourself on stage, make sure it’s right at midnight, and then don’t go on again after.

10.  Think of each lap as a way to get to the next lap. You need to look desirable and like you’re having the time of your life, even if the guy is gross. The better you make them look, the more other men will want the same experience, and after you do it for a while, it’s easy to replicate.

11.  If the club is really slow or you aren’t busy, don’t spend time in the dressing room. At worst, babysit a drink at the bar until something good comes along, but don’t get too drunk while you are waiting. And when someone does show up, try not to ambush them too early. Unless your club is super aggressive, the protocol is to let them be served a drink before approaching them. First, I want to make sure they open a tab, and second, it will be easier for me to order a drink if they have one and I don’t.

12.  You don’t have to say anything clever when you walk up. You can, and we have a post for that here, but usually, I’d ask if they were waiting for anyone or if the seat next to them was taken. It was an easy way to ask if they wanted company at least for a drink or two. 99% of the time, they would offer me a seat and a drink when the waitress saw I had sat down. Then I would order, and when she brings my drink back, I would suggest we all do shots, which they usually would. Now you, the waitress, and this random person look like you’re having a great time.

13.  Keep the momentum up. Don’t abandon ship, keep going after shots, ask for a dance, after the first dance, ask for one more round. And then offer to take them somewhere more “private” because you’re having such a good time. Then, boom, another room sold, and another hour down.

14.  Don’t get overly intoxicated. There are ways to stay relatively sober or at least maintain composure at work. Nobody likes the drunk stripper – it’s just such an ick.

15.  Stick to only staying with someone if they are spending money, and if necessary, skip over to the next person (maybe even the lap right next to them). It’s easy when the club is busy, but still manageable in a slow club. There are always a few people buying drinks at least.

16.  Leave late. If your club has after-hours, take advantage of them – some of my largest payouts were after 2 AM.

17.  Tip out generously – that will always keep management and the DJ on your side.

Whether you’re new to the pole or a seasoned VIP queen, success in this industry comes down to mindset, hustle, and strategy—so show up, work smart, and get that bag.

Love & glitter,

BW