While tipping the sexy male strippers in Phoenix, AZ, I wondered to myself how and why I became a fan of certain male strippers.
I have been a super-fan of male stripper entertainment for almost 20 years. I realized that if I could answer the question 'why' I am such a fan, I could provide this information to male strippers who are wanting to increase their fan base. So, I spent a weekend thinking it over. I then organized my thoughts and wrote everything down in this blog.
Make It Personal
A fan base is built one person at a time. The male stripper must interact with each person and create a reason to return. A customer should never be able to walk into a bar or club, order a drink, sit and drink it alone and then leave without having spoken to another person except the bartender.
Greet Them As They Enter The Door
Several years ago I was at a male strip club in Providence, RI. Three young men were standing outside the door. I noticed them because they were all strikingly good looking. I of course looked at them and they looked at me. The one standing closest to the door said "Hi, thanks for coming out tonight." I said, "Thank you" and went inside.
Later in the evening that same young man was on the stage in a sexy pair of underwear working his way through college using his physical assets. I went up to the stage and tipped him, and I tipped extra. The greeting made a difference to me. In my mind I had decided this male stripper was friendly. If I had been from the area, I would have remembered him and looked for him on my next visit.
Make Eye Contact And Smile
While you are on the stage work the room with your eyes. Without being obvious, look at each customer in the eyes and give them a smile. In this way you are acknowledging that they are present. In a small way you have shared a moment.
This will help them to feel welcome and encourage them to tip you. I mean come on, a sexy male stripper is in his underwear looking into your eyes and giving you a smile. The hard day they had been replaying in their mind will start to fade and a smile will form on their face. They will remember the effect you had on their mood.
Say "Thank You!"
When a male stripper is paid a compliment, the immediate response should always be "thank you". Even if you have heard that compliment a million and one times, still say "thank you".
When a male stripper receives a tip, the immediate response should always be "thank you". The customer is taking their hard-earned cash out of their pocket and putting it in your pocket, well, most likely your waistband. Acknowledge them for doing so with a simple "thank you".
By saying thank you, the customer will decide that you don't take things for granted. This will set you apart as someone they will want to remember.
Do A Follow Up
When your session ends, go to every person that tipped you and say something like "thanks for the tip, and thanks for coming out tonight". Be authentic. In tipping they came to you, but in a follow up, you are going to them. It will make them feel important. This will almost always result in an additional tip as well.
Work The Room
I recommend that you set a goal to speak to every customer in attendance. I do realize that sometimes that is impossible due to the large crowd. However, set it as a goal. This should be no problem at smaller venues. Each customer is a potential fan. The more customers you talk to, the more possibilities for adding them to your fan base.
It would be easy to stay in the dressing room until it is your turn to be on stage, on the box, etc. If you are wanting to build a fan base, you should be out in the crowd speaking with everyone and letting them get to know you.
When another dancer is performing, stay to the fringes of the room so as not to steal the spotlight from them. They are trying to make a few bucks themselves and it is common courtesy to stay out of their way. It is hoped they will do the same for you.
Compliment the dancer on stage while speaking with customers. You want the customers to feel their experience at the club is of value. The more value a customer places in all the male strippers at a specific venue, the more likely they are to return in the future.
Speak to as many customers as you can. Always thank them for coming out. If you've never met them before, ask questions like where they are from, and if they've ever been to the club before. These are ice breakers that will allow you to get a conversation started.
If they are not very talkative, it may be because they like their privacy. Thank them again for coming and tell them to enjoy their night. Then move on.
Avoid over-working a customer. This sometimes happens at clubs where private lap dances are available. In an attempt to make as much cash as possible for the night, a few male dancers can become annoying by constantly asking a customer to do a private lap dance with them.
It is definitely ok to ask once. And depending on the customer's response, you might ask them again later in the night. You do not want to be remembered as the annoying dancer. They will most likely avoid you on any future visits.
Develop Your Social Media Skills
Set up social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and any others that you enjoy using. These should be separate from your personal accounts, and should be used for promoting your male stripper related activities.
Upload pics and videos at least weekly. Always add a comment stating how much fun you had at this club or that bar while performing. Thank the bar owners, managers and staff for allowing you to perform. Thank the fans for coming out and supporting you.
Always post your schedule for the week. Where will you be performing? Where can your fans see you in the coming week and month ahead?
Post selfies on a regular basis. Stay within topics that relate to your job as a male stripper. These could include traveling, working out, eating healthy, skin and health grooming techniques, music, costumes, props and of course, pose in new underwear.
Reply to EVERY posts made by fans when it includes you, or is in response to one of your posts. Comment when possible but at least 'like' their post. Everyone likes to be acknowledged and included. This is a small action that can have a larger impact on growing your fan base.
"Thank you" is a desired response in social media as well. Use it whenever it fits.
Give Them A Show
The customers come to a male strip club to see a show which involves scantily clad and sexy men. They are looking for a fantasy and possibly a few hours of escape from their stressful lives. Be a professional. Put time and thought into providing a quality performance each time you step before the crowd.
Plan a theme for the session then select underwear, props, music, accessories, dance moves, audience interaction, etc., to bring that theme to the stage. It can be elaborate or very simple depending on the theme.
Never allow yourself to do only what is needed to get by. Always bring something extra to the show. Make yourself memorable in a good way.
Have a friend record your performances and use them as promotional content on your social media accounts. Below is a video that I made after my visit to Zonie's Closet in Indianapolis, IN. It is very simple but gives an accurate reflection of the performances of the night. This one was uploaded to YouTube but you can post the raw video through your phone apps or go live on a social media account.
It's Called A Strip-Tease
A male stripper is the ultimate tease. Tease them in the costumes and underwear you choose. Tease them with the songs you choose. Tease them with props and accessories. Tease them in your performance. Make them wonder, if I played my cards right could I? ...
Depending on the laws in the state where the venue is located, I recommend you show a little skin. And maybe allow a quick glance when it's not so little. They'll always want more but don't give them everything they want. Keep them thirsty. After all, that is the greatest motivator in getting them to return for your next show.
Always leave your fans wanting more.
Final Thoughts
The activities I've described above are part of a building process that must be continued to have the desired result. It isn't a one-time and done activity. These are activities that you must continue to do daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. Be patient.
Train yourself to turn the suggestions above into habits that you do without thinking. Your fan base will grow.
Photo Credit: Top photo: Male Stripper Chad Vincent with fan at Zonie's Closet in Indianapolis, IN - Photo by Michael Hill. Video Credit: Michael Hill
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