ONE: Fit And Defined Body
A: The Right Body For The Gig
Let's not be vague about this, being an exotic male dancer is all about physical appearance. And to be clear, the Adonis type athletic build will be the preferred body type for most gigs. I'm being real and honest and we all know it. Let' s continue on this same thought, it is preferred that the male dancer have a handsome face but it isn't always necessary. If his assets include a well-built body, large endowment and bubble butt, he will make it onto the stage.
At the same time, it is also true that there is a "different strokes, for different folks" philosophy that rings true for many situations. An individual is attracted to different things. For example, women are often attracted to different dancers than are gay men. In the gay world there are many different types or looks among the dancers: The Adonis athlete will do well in many place but there are other locations where the customers prefer what is called a Twink, a slim, often younger body type. There are clubs where a 'bear type' or heavier body type is featured. Within the bear designation are also muscle bears who are larger but with more muscle mass. There are dancers who reflect the style of the leather community. And still yet, there are 'daddy' types who embrace their dad bods and who are loved by a certain customer base.
The bottom line to all of this, is there is a male dancer type for many different customer tastes and preferences. The athletic Adonis can cross over into many of the different preferences where others may be best for specific clubs and events. Determine where your body type will be most successful. At the same time, if you are around the ages of 18-35, with diet and exercise you can create the body type for the category where you most want to perform. For those over 35, I recommend that you embrace the 'Daddy' persona and make it a success. There are a few male dancers who are older than 35 who manage to escape the 'daddy' label. Most started stripping, etc. in their twenties and have a large following.
B. Workout Routine
Some muscle tone is always a plus for any exotic male dancer. Even the Twink can improve their appeal to the audience by maintaining tight abs. A firm ass is always an asset.For all, a workout routine is a must to continue to be successful in this business. If you are in your early to mid 20s and have had to do little physical exercise to be slim and trim, be prepared, your wake up call will arrive in your late 20s and early 30s. Your teenage metabolism will start to slow down. The Huffington Post published an article called 'How Your Metabolism Changes in Your 20s, 30s and 40s. where they quoted Caroline Cederquist, M.D., author of The MD Factor Diet, as saying "while it's different for everybody, your metabolism slows down as you age. For most, it starts in your 20s or 30s." At this time you will start to see some pudge gathering around you waist, chest and ass. Through proper diet and exercise, you can keep that teenage body or create the new body you want. I recommend the YouTube channel below that provides exercises that do not require a gym or special equipment. You can do these at home. For more fitness options, tips and suggestions, check out my blog entitled, "How To Get The Body Of A Male Stripper".
C. Put It On Display
My advice when trying to book new gigs is "If you've got it flaunt it." If there is an audition involved, wear something that accents or displays your best assets. What are your best assets? And by assets, we mean the physical characteristics that enhance your ability to perform as an exotic male dancer. If you aren't sure what they are, ask a few friends whose opinion you trust. Is it your face, eyes, smile, chest, arms, abs, thighs, ass, large endowment? Put your assets on display. If there is no audition, take promotional photos where your assets are emphasized. Make sure those photos get in the hands of the show directors and club managers, and of course, post them in your social media accounts. For ideas on pics to place on your social media accounts, check out my other blog entitled,62 Sexy Selfie Ideas For Male Stripper Online Promotions.
TWO: Positive Attitude
A. Positive Outlook
According to Jason Randall of Boscoe's in Columbus, OH , " Boscoe’s looks for a great attitude.. Sometimes looks aren’t always a guarantee that you’ll get booked. " Show directors and club managers are looking for entertainers that will add to the positive experiences of their customers. Leave your personal baggage outside the door. Honestly, no one wants to hear about your personal problems and issues especially a show director or club manager, and definitely not the customers who want to have fun. Focus on the future and the positive things. If you choose to complain or talk bad about others, that will send up a red flag to potential employers and you'll be sitting at home watching Netflix on Friday and Saturday nights, instead of bringing in the tips. A positive attitude leads to success. Read this article from Linked-in -"A Positive Attitude Leads To Success and Happiness."
Read about our epic night at Boscoe's in Columbus, OH here >>>An Epic Night At Boscoe’s ~ Columbus, OH – Club Review
B. Team Player
Working with other entertainers is not a competition. You are on the same team. Everyone is there to provide a fun atmosphere and positive experience for the customers. Be a team player. You are one part of a combined effort to help the customers celebrate, relax, and enjoy life! Do what you can to ensure they enjoy working with you and look forward to working with you again.
C. Support The Staff And Other Entertainers
The doorman, bartenders, DJ, Shot boys, lighting person, janitor, management, and other entertainers are all a part of the team that brings this experience into being. No one can do it on their own. Do your best to assist the other team members whenever possible.
THREE: Ability To Interact With Customers
A. Work The Room
The main focus of any male dancer performance is to provide entertainment for the customers. Jason Randall of Boscoe's in Columbus, OH also told me, "We look for someone outgoing and energetic, who can balance dancing and incorporating the customers and Boscoe’s brand." It is your responsibility to help ensure that the customers are entertained. This involves working the room in three ways. First, create and execute a performance that keeps them involved. Second, move among the crowd before, during, and after your performance. Third, acknowledge their existence by speaking to them, and flirtIng with them. They are at this location at this time on this day because there are male dancers performing. For your financial success in tips and for the success of the club work the entire room or as much of it as is physically possible.
For the past two years I have served as a judge at the Next Magic Mike contest held at Somewhere Nightclub in Lima, OH. One of the categories that the contestants are judged on is Interaction With The Audience. In fact this past year, this was the deciding factor between first and second place. If you'd like to learn more about the Next Magic Mike Contest, click here for my review of the night. There are links to the previous year at the bottom of that review.
B. Reach Out To Everyone
Avoid spending all your time with club regulars, or only those customers you know. Reach out to people you don't know as well. I have been to clubs as a first time visitor and was basically ignored while the male dancers focused on regulars. When that happens, I keep my tip money in my pocket. For more on this, read my blog entitled, "The Invisible Audience Member – A Neglected Source For Increasing Your Tips.
C. Say Thank You
The customers are handing you tips. This money could be going to more cocktails or a late-night meal or purchasing something they want. Instead they have decided to 'give' it to you. They don't have to do this. Be grateful. Tell them thank you. If you walk back by their table, etc., after your performance to tell them thank you, there is a good chance they will tip you again. I do. I mean, I"ve already shown a dancer that I like them by tipping them during their performance. If they come by to see me afterwards and say 'thank you', I'm going to be happy to interact with them in my space, and I'll tip again.
FOUR: Bring A Following
A. Butts In Seats, Drinks in hands
It's all about turning a profit. There are other reasons that people run businesses but with all the hard work required to keep it going, if it is not turning a profit, the owners will eventually close the doors for good. If you develop a following that brings customers in who then pay cover charges, buy drinks and tip the entertainers, then you are a valuable asset for any bar, club, event or venue. Bringing a following requires a positive relationship with the customers which occurs because you provide entertainment value for them. This involves a combination of the audience liking your physical appearance, your personality, and your performance. For more information on building a following, check out my blog entitled, "The Most Successful Way To Make Money As A Male Stripper ~ Create A Following."
B. Promote the Bar While You Promote Yourself
Let the bar or club see that you are supporting them and their success. When promoting yourself, always list the bar or club where you'll be appearing, the time, and the address. Share any ads the bar may post in social media concerning your appearance. You want them to be a success so you can have the possibility of future appearances at their club. On some nights when you are not working, go to the club and check in on social media to show your support to the managers, owners, show directors and other entertainers.
C. Friend Other Entertainers
As I've stated previously everyone works together to make a bar or club a success. You are not competing with other entertainers, you are their work colleague. Show your support for other entertainers while at the bar and on social media. Give without expecting anything in return. But do remember those who support you and double your efforts to support them back.
FIVE: Eye Catching Promo Photos
A. Quality First
Promotional Photos are those which are used on advertisements. They are the pics you submit to show directors or club managers for them to place on their ads and in social media. Make sure these are of high quality and show off your best assets. Pics taken by a professional photographer are preferred but if you cannot afford a professional photographer, take them with your own camera or phone. Look at examples that other male dancers are using and do what you need to create an image that is eye catching and will grab the attention of potential customers. For further information and a posing guide, read my blog entitled "Creating Male Stripper Images For Social Media Promotion (Guide For Posing)".
B. Take Off Your Clothes
You are an exotic male dancer which means as a rule you will be wearing very little clothing in a performance. Let your pics reflect this fact. Take off your clothes. One of the Males In Motion, our sister site, slogans is "It's All About the tease. Use your photos to tease your potential audience. make them anxious to see what will be waiting for them if they attend your performance.
C. Showcase Your Costumes
The entertainment provided by an exotic male dancer is based in fantasy. My favorite male stripper or go-go boy costume is the cowboy. I am motivated to tip when a male dancer is wearing a cowboy costume. If his promotional photo shows him dressed as a cowboy, I am going to want to go to that event if possible. Other potential audience members will be motivated by other costumes. Use your costume wardrobe in your promotional photos to reach out to different customers. For more ideas on Promotional photos checkout this blog "62 Sexy Selfie Ideas For Male Stripper Online Promotions".
SIX: Solid Experience
A. Doing A Good Job Wherever You Get To Work
My grandmother was a salt-of-the-earth type country woman. When I was a kid she would tell me, "Make them a good hand, and you'll always have a job.". In other words, always strive to do your best at whatever job you are working at. I strongly recommend you not get drunk or use drugs while performing. What you do in your own time is your own business but I do ask that you please be safe. You are being paid to perform and entertain, you need to be at your best and bring your A-game. That can' t happen if you are all f*cked up!
B. If Needed, Create Your Own Experience
If you have very little experience and are having difficulty getting hired at bars or clubs, first, you need to find out why, and work on it. Second, you can create your own experience. Do not lie and say you've done something you haven't, what I'm talking about, is volunteer to be a stripper at private parties of your friends. If you have to, perform for free to get some experience behind you. Then ask those friends to be references for other parties and gigs. Offer to do a Happy Birthday strip from one friend to another. Be open to both female and male audiences to increase your opportunities. Javier Markham is a male stipper from Australia but currently based in Great Britain. Below is one of his performances. Check out his YouTube channel for many more.
C. Document And Record On Social Media
Create a separate social media account specifically for pics and videos from your career as an exotic male dancer. Post pics and videos from any relevant experiences, then you can refer any potential employers to your social media and they can see first-hand accounts of your experience in the industry.Below is another video by Javier Markham. He refers to working private parties as a Strippergram. Even though he's working in the U.K., he has tips and suggestions which will work anywhere.
SEVEN: Impressive References
A. Protect Your Reputation
Your reputation will follow you. Be a professional which means, show up when scheduled, be on time, come prepared and put on the best damn show you possibly can. Word will get around either way. You want others to talk about the positive things. Never give them fuel for negative. A negative conversation will spread like wild-fire. Unfortunately, there are some in this business who take pleasure in making others look bad. .Bryce Eden Adonis, veteran dancer, owner and manager of The Men Of Eden, based in Connecticut, told me recently that "At this point most of my dancers come from a referral.." Referrals are very important in this business. I make referrals on a daily basis in social media posts, blogs or conversations. Keep your reputation positive and intact and you can enjoy a long and successful career.
B. Networking 101
Strive to meet and get to know everyone you can in the exotic male dancer entertainment industry. According to Terry Bacon from the Power And Influence blog, "Networking has long been recognized as a powerful tool for business people and professionals. Knowing more people gives you greater access, facilitates the sharing of information, and makes it easier to influence others for the simple reason that influencing people you know is easier than influencing strangers." I recommend an article from the Kagain Institute which provides 11 tips on how to network better .
C. Be On Their Mind
Make sure you let show directors and club managers know that you are available should they need a male dancer. What if they have a no-show dancer, would you be available to fill in at the last minute? If so, let them know this. Be the dancer that first comes to mind when they need someone to fill in,
EIGHT: The Right Look
Ohio Male Strippers (Left to Right) Justin Cash, Johnny W. Dangerously, Adonis Casanova, Amir Kinara, Dagger D., Grayson Knight-lites.
A. The Image
As I've mentioned before different clubs have different customers who have their own preferences and attractions when it comes to Exotic Male Dancers. On a recent trip to Ohio, I watched and tipped the six male strippers shown above. Although some are similar, they each have their own look and performance style. A Show Director or Club Manager is going to select male dancers that they feel will appeal most to their customer base. This is one of the main reasons I recommend a costume wardrobe for male dancers. A variety of different costumes will help attract different customers to your performances and help to make you more appealing at various differing venues.
B. The Styling
When I say "Styling" I'm talking about the whole package for a performance: Costume, Music, Props, and even dance style. There is a wide range of themes and styles, Your performance needs to be congruent. For example, let's say you decide you want to wear a policeman costume, you would want to select a song and props that go with the theme and reflect the image of the public protector, or bad ass who catches the 'bad boys, bad boys' . I"ll bet you sang that in your head didn't you? For a policeman theme you would not select a song such as Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream", but that song might work for a different theme. For props you might use a flashing light and yellow caution tape but not Star Wars Light Sabers. Stick with and follow through on a theme.
C. Best Assets Forward
Always remember to showcase your best assets: face, eyes, smile, arms, chest, abs, thighs, legs, ass, bulge. When selecting any costume or underwear or props, consider which will best emphasize your main physical assets. And if you have a sexy voice, be sure and talk to the customers as you work the crowd. Use your voice or physical assets as another tool to entertain and motivate the audience to tip.
NINE: Dancing Ability
A. Importance Of Being A Great Dancer
Honestly, only a small percentage of exotic male dancers are actually great dancers. Except for male reviews and go-go boys, for the most part, there is no need to be. Most of your performance time as a male stripper is spent seductively removing clothing, or interacting with the audience. Pole dancers focus on performing feats of strength and agility on a stripper pole, not dancing. However, having some dance moves in your arsenal, does give you an advantage, And may open doors for other gigs. Having the skills to perform as a go-go boy, male stripper, pole dancer, and male review member obviously can open many more employment opportunities than being skilled in only one area.
B. Improve Your Skills
You can always improve your dancing skills. Check out my blog, "5 Tips On How To Dance Like A Male Stripper" as a starting point.
C. Know Your Strengths
When selecting music that you are going to dance to, know your strengths and weaknesses. If you are a basic dancer, do not try to dance to hip-hop or R & B. If your style is more country, stay away from hard rock, You know what music you like and the music styles that make you want to move, just make sure you have the skills to move your body in the same style. If not, watch others and learn - either at the club, on YouTube, or in dance classes.
TEN: Transportation
A. No $ If You're Not There
You can have the best costume, best dance moves, and look sexy as hell in that new pair of underwear but none of that will matter if you don't arrive at the gig location. Dependable transportation is a must. This can be your own vehicle, public transportation, Uber, Lyft, or a dependable friend or family member. You have to be there to make money, and if you are a no-show very many times, you become a "do not book again" dancer.
B. Have A Backup Plan
Always have a backup plan. Who can you call if your car won't start? Set up an Uber or Lyft account, and have a taxi service number in your phone, just in case something happens and your original ride falls through. Always offer to help pay for gas if someone is giving you a ride. You may need to ask for their assistance in the future.
C. Contribute to the success of others
If you have your own vehicle, offer to help other entertainers get to gigs where you are both performing. And it's ok to ask for a little gas money. You can also share a Uber, Lyft or taxi. And it's ok to ask them to make a contribution toward the cost. If they do not, let them find their own ride the next time. Do not allow yourself to be used, but be willing to help if they are willing to help pay.
Final Thoughts
If you can take the 10 tips and suggestions in this blog and turn them into your own personal habits and characteristics, you can be prepared to enjoy a long career as an exotic male dancer. Best wishes and good luck!