How To Be An Exotic Dancer: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Be an Exotic Dancer

Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Val Cunningham

Last Updated: April 16, 2023 References

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This article was co-authored by Val Cunningham. Val Cunningham is a Choreographer, Lead Dance Instructor, and Certified Yoga Instructor at The Dance Loft, a dance studio based in San Francisco, California. Val has over 23 years of dance instruction, performance, and choreography experience and specializes in ballroom, Latin, and swing dancing. She is also trained in house, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and modern dance, and has studied with world renouned dancers such as Tom Slaterand Richard Lambarty. She is ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), ProDVIDA (Professional Dance Vision International Dance Association), and Zumba certified. She is a member of the National Dance Council of America. This article has been viewed 494,026 times.

Are you wanting to learn how you can become the exotic dancer of your dreams? Move down to Step 1 for the specifics.

Steps

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1 Realize that this is a job, not a lifestyle. You must be motivated and driven as with any occupation. Take it seriously, it's a job, not a night out or an opportunity to show off. Go in on time and make sure you behave professionally and in line with the rules of the club. You will also need to know the law and be familiar with following local, state, or federal laws as the apply in your location. Some clubs require a background check and fingerprints as well as ID and a social security or national insurance number. Be prepared to provide these.[1]
2 Assess your fitness level. Are you in reasonably good physical shape? You should be healthy, and while clubs are generally looking for someone slim and toned, there is room for all types of body shapes. A lot of girls worry about not having the right shaped body parts, there is no set size or shape for an exotic dancer.
- If you are a beginner, do yoga and stretching exercises to make your body flexible and dance well.[2]
- Ensure your body is strong.[3]
- A dancer should have a fit and flexible body.[4]
3 Get supplies. You should have heels, 4-inch at minimum. Ask the other dancers or the club owner what they like performers to wear. Many dancers start off with platform heeled shoes to aid stability. Remember, stiletto heel shoes make your legs look thinner, so they might be a better bet when picking out shoes. Not all exotic dancers want the focus to be on their legs. Wear footwear you feel is appropriate. You'll also need a g-string or thong made of sturdy material, probably. The exact details of what you may or may not be allowed to wear will vary depending on where you are working. Online shopping might provide better materials than those at a local boutique. The laws vary, so make sure you check. Make sure you are waxed from the neck down; shaving will NOT do, especially if you have darker hair. Specialist exotic dance venues and those in Europe may have different preferences regarding body hair. No everyone wants to see stubble, and waxing will eliminate razor bumps in the bikini area. If you cannot stand waxing or are in between waxes, you can use make up to help cover anything. You'll want to learn to apply makeup well.
4 Go for an audition. You can call the club and ask to set up an appointment to audition or simply stroll into the club of your choice (check the Strip Club List online for clubs in your area), and off you go. Make sure you are of age to dance erotically in your district. Some clubs have audition nights or amateur nights where you can go and try out. It is always best to call the club before and find out if this is their way.[5]
5 Get a "stage name" for yourself. this will be your alter-ego for when you are at work. The most commonly used "stage names" are: Precious, Diamond, Barbie, Ferrari, etc. Instead of using one of the more common names listed, try being unique and think outside the box. Be creative with your "stage name". Come up with a name that is unlike all the rest. possibly one that no one else might possibly be using.
6 Know that prostitution, or "extras", have no place in a club. Moral judgments aside, it makes it harder for dancers to make money when this happens. Also you will be fired if the club finds out. Prostitution is a highly punishable crime in many areas and many clubs will have undercover cops. Make sure that you understand that even words can get you arrested even if you have no intentions of doing anything for extra money. YOU ARE AN ENTERTAINER, not a hooker.[6]
7 Be mentally strong. Society can be very anti-sex worker, so because you are working in this field, it requires mental resilience. Customers will insult you, you may lose friends and family... but that reflects more on them than it does on you. Make sure you feel good about what you are doing and see it as a positive thing, this will allow you to stand strong against others.
8 Learn from others. When you start working, make sure you learn from the other girls and respect the way they work. Do not become overly friendly with them just to make more money, as they will see right through you! Expect that you will not do so well at first, but don't get disheartened. Learn one thing and get up and do it again but better!
9 Be safe and enjoy the scantily clad adventure!
10 Get a website. Getting a website of your own can make you much more popular and raise your tip value. Mention the clubs where you work, and customers will come in just to see you, and they will save their biggest tips for your show.

Community Q&A

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Question Can I learn how to dance on the job? Community Answer Yes. In fact, this is the way most dancers learn. Not only will you see what is expected of you, but you can then copy and modify the routine to your own taste and style. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 81
Question What is the best way to learn basic pole choreography? Community Answer You should take a class or find online videos to teach you to learn the basic steps. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 65
Question What should I charge to do a private exotic dance in someone's home? Community Answer For your safety, never do an exotic dance at someone's house. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 150

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Tips

Get non-slip pads for the bottoms of your shoes. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
Having your own car is recommended. Exotic dancers get sexually harassed by rude fans and openly insulted by conservative people on a public bus. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
Do take a self-defense course for reasons described in the "Warnings" section. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1

Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Making more money as an exotic dancer may encourage you to change your lifestyle. You might move to a more expensive apartment, for instance. Make your decisions knowingly- if you change your lifestyle, you may be locking yourself in to this career. Be prepared for hard choices should you change your mind. Thanks Helpful 209 Not Helpful 21
Don't assume that because there's two or three people offering you a ride, that it's therefore perfectly safe. Sexual assault often takes place with multiple accomplices. When it does, illicit substances, i.e. narcotics, are usually involved. Thanks Helpful 169 Not Helpful 25
Exotic dancers are considered, in most places, independent contractors. This means you should hire a tax accountant, keep all of your receipts (for waxing, work clothes, make-up, manicures and pedicures), and be sure that you keep track of your income. A notebook with a notation for each shift, the date, the hours and the amount of money you have made and paid out, is proof of income. Thanks Helpful 199 Not Helpful 31
You should get health insurance, in case something unexpected happens. If you hurt a knee or ankle, or any other health expense, not only will you be out of work, you'll be responsible for your medical expenses. You're making enough money- just do it! Thanks Helpful 163 Not Helpful 31
On very rare occasions, an exotic dancer may be the target of a sexual predator. But so can a nurse, a receptionist, a restaurant server, or any lady who works with patrons in a manner that, ideally, requires them to be warm, personable, friendly and often subservient. To appear less like a prospective victim, conduct yourself with self-confidence when not onstage. Thanks Helpful 107 Not Helpful 20
Many exotic dancers are married or have a steady boyfriend with whom they live. That can give a safety cushion should you decide to change jobs after all. Thanks Helpful 158 Not Helpful 36
Once you start earning a regular income get income protection. That is insurance that pays you if you cannot work e.g. if you break a leg. This is really important as you will be relying on your pay and you will be stuck if you money just stops. Thanks Helpful 96 Not Helpful 25
Prepare your mate for the possibility that you'll be making more money. There's no sure way to guarantee there won't be resentment because you're making more money for seemingly "playing around". It can come up unexpectedly, as something he/she "throws in your face" to hurt you. Thanks Helpful 138 Not Helpful 41
There are jobs that will reject you for having once been an exotic dancer, and you probably won't be able to conceal it from (for example) any private investigator. If you choose this path, be aware that it may come with a future price. Don't expect to be able to simply leave it off a resume and therefore have it be forgotten. But, be open about it and it can't "haunt" you. Thanks Helpful 97 Not Helpful 28
For the sake of your reputation and that of the club, avoid going off alone with an individual. Even if it's just your brother, people will gossip and ruin your good name. Yes, every exotic dancer definitely has a good name to uphold. You may need the trust and help of your co-workers one day. Earn a reputation for responsibility by upholding the honor of the establishment. Thanks Helpful 85 Not Helpful 26

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References

↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/10/exotic-dancer/504680/
↑ Val Cunningham. Certified Dance & Yoga Instructor. Expert Interview
↑ Val Cunningham. Certified Dance & Yoga Instructor. Expert Interview
↑ Val Cunningham. Certified Dance & Yoga Instructor. Expert Interview
↑ https://www.onlinedegree.com/careers/arts-design-entertainment/exotic-dancer-stripper/
↑ https://abovethelaw.com/2014/08/wherein-we-explore-the-legal-difference-between-a-stripper-and-a-prostitute/
This article was written, with permission, with some information from a blog and the ebook 7 Step Strip Success (specifically Chapter 4) by Jessica Simmonds.

About This Article

Co-authored by: Val Cunningham Certified Dance Instructor This article was co-authored by Val Cunningham. Val Cunningham is a Choreographer, Lead Dance Instructor, and Certified Yoga Instructor at The Dance Loft, a dance studio based in San Francisco, California. Val has over 23 years of dance instruction, performance, and choreography experience and specializes in ballroom, Latin, and swing dancing. She is also trained in house, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and modern dance, and has studied with world renouned dancers such as Tom Slaterand Richard Lambarty. She is ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), ProDVIDA (Professional Dance Vision International Dance Association), and Zumba certified. She is a member of the National Dance Council of America. This article has been viewed 494,026 times. 12 votes - 54% Co-authors: 64 Updated: April 16, 2023 Views: 494,026 Categories: Dance Careers In other languages Russian French Spanish