Exotic dancing is a mysterious career that keeps people guessing. How do you become a dancer? What’s it like dancing for work? How do you get started as a stripper? Non-industry folk always have a few questions for dancers, and today, we’re answering some.
In this guide, we’re covering the core skills you need to become an exotic dancer. So, whether you’re trying to boost your dancing career or are simply intrigued about the job, keep reading. You’ll be an expert on dancer skills and requirements in minutes!
1. Dance experience
The first requirement isn’t a big surprise – but we couldn’t make the list without it. All exotic dancers should have some dance experience or good dance ability. This could be some time in dance classes, ballet training, theatre experience, or simple dancing as a hobby. A natural knack for staying in rhythm and flexibility is a plus.
Dance skills are critical as the job relies on them! You might not be a good fit for the job without a dancing ability.
2. Communication skills
Next up is communication skills. Customer service, a friendly disposition, and intrapersonal skills all fit under this umbrella.
As a stripper or exotic dancer, you’ll regularly interact with customers. Alongside dancing, your aim is to make them feel welcome and help them have a good time. So, feeling at ease working with the public and being able to cater to their needs is imperative.
Past experience working in hospitality or sales can be helpful here, as it proves you know your audience’s pain points and can meet their needs with a smile.
3. Physical fitness
Similarly to dance ability, you should also be physically fit. Exotic dancing requires you to be on your feet for hours at a time, and you need good stamina to do so without breaking a sweat.
Also, some popular moves require flexibility and muscle strength – especially if you want to show your prowess on a pole. Many professional dancers combine their dance training with gym sessions and yoga classes to ensure their body is primed for work. This benefits your mental and physical health, so it’s a win-win.
4. Work well independently and in a team
Do you work well on your own and with others? Part of exotic dancing is working well on your own, as you’ll need to manage your shifts, impress customers, and navigate your own finances. However, you won’t always be a one-person team.
Many clubs employ a regular team of dancers, so while you’re working for your own tips, you’ll need to learn how to work in a team to protect each other and ensure your routines don’t clash. Most dancers become close friends with their colleagues and create a supportive network of professionals.
Your connections can help you find work in the future, give you tips to improve your career, and watch your back while you’re dancing at the club.
5. Confidence
Getting on stage takes a lot of confidence, so without this skill, you’ll be lost as an exotic dancer. From confidence in your moves to body confidence, every aspect of this job relies on your ability to believe in yourself and your skills.
Ways for dancers to build their confidence and improve their careers include:
- Affirmations
- Dance practice
- Research and competitor analysis
- An organised health and fitness routine
- Self-care
- Flattering outfits
6. Motivation
Another soft skill dancers need is motivation. Many dancers work on a self-employed basis and appear at different clubs, and thriving at this requires the motivation to secure bookings and get your name out there.
You might have dreams of dancing for a living, but without some motivation, it’s hard to get going. But remember, motivation is part discipline. You need to show up and work every day, even when you don’t feel like it.
7. Organisational skills
Now to the less glamorous side of exotic dancing: organisation.
Alongside being a fantastic dancer with oodles of confidence and motivation, you need to keep yourself organised and on track. This includes organising club appearances, your dance bag, your health and fitness routine, beauty treatments, and the business side of dancing.
Luckily, organisational skills aren’t too hard to learn. Calendars, planners, and lists are your best friend.
8. Financial skills
Though keeping your finances on track overlaps with organisation, we’ve kept it as a separate skill. That’s because you’ll need records of your earnings, tips, expenses, and taxes as a self-employed or part-self-employed dancer.
Unless you’re formally employed at a club, you’ll be paid a freelance wage, which won’t include tax or national insurance contributions. So, get those spreadsheets out and learn some basic accounting skills.
These days, there are plenty of tutorials and blogs online to help you, so with a bit of research, gaining this skill is easy.
9. Marketing talent
Finally, dancers and strippers also need to have some basic marketing skills. If you want to book more appearances or dabble in other sex work side hustles, you’ll need to present yourself online and on social media apps.
This involves creating a consistent brand look and voice, selling yourself as better than the competition, and following trends. For example, you could follow social media dance trends to capture more attention or create a professional website that helps your audience trust your services.
Do you need every skill to get started?
These nine skills will help you kick-start your career as an exotic dancer. However, don’t stress if you lack one or two. It’s entirely possible to build a strong career and gain some skills as you start working.
If you’re worried about starting because you’re missing a few skills, consider taking a few free courses or watching a few YouTube tutorials. This way, you can approach the industry with knowledge and previous experience.
The takeaway
Exotic dancing and stripping are career routes that many assume don’t require skills, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. Hopefully, this blog has opened your eyes to how hard these dancers work. It’s a serious profession for a reason!
