It amazes me how some clubs have staff and dancers that ignore some customers. You would think they would want to cultivate each local customer into becoming a regular visitor and hope to see each out of towner anytime they are back in town.
In my travels I've been to many clubs as the new guy, or out of town first time visitor and have been ignored by staff and dancers. The customer sitting alone is often an ignored revenue potential for both buying drinks and tipping dancers. With a little focus, the new guy can be drawn into the fold and empty his/her wallet for a night of fun and entertainment.
Why are They Invisible?
The Unfortunate But Typical Experience
The invisible audience member is the one who is ignored by staff and dancers for one reason or another. I have both been this person and have observed it happening to others. A person walks into the bar that no one knows. He's average in every way. Chances are he was not greeted when he entered. If you've ever been this person, you know how difficult it can be to go alone to a bar or club where you've never been. You get everyone's attention because you're new and no one knows you, so they all look. But no one actually says anything to you. You may or may not receive a smile from someone. You look around to figure out where the bar is and where on the bar you need to go to get a drink.
The Best And Memorable Experience
Let's contrast that to a memorable experience. You walk in to a bar or club where you've never been. A hot male dancer greets you and says"Hi, my name is Jake. what's your name? You give him your name as John. He replies, "Hi John thanks for coming out tonight. Have you ever been here before? You answer, "No, this is my first time here.' Jzke says, "Welcome! The dancers will be dancing on the bar in a few minutes. Feel free to go up and tip any you like. The bartender can make change for you if you need it. Also, lap dances are available for $10 per song in the public area out here. If you would like a private lap dance with a particular dancer, there is a one time vip room entry fee of $10 and it's good all night, and then it's $20 per song. Let the dancer know if you're interested in either type of lap dance. If you're ready for a drink, you can see David, he is tonight's bartender at the front bar. If you have any questions, just let me know. Have fun.
The Desired Results
The newbie has been welcomed, given instructions on how things work and has two new friends and contacts in the bar, Jake and David. Jake has also connected with John so will most likely receive tips from John during the night. Since John has connected with the bartender David, If David was friendly and made the experience positive for John,John will most likely return to David for any additional drinks.
Who is the invisible audience member?
The one who is sitting alone
Unfortunately, there are some people who for various reasons do not have many friends. As a result they are lonely. They are most likely coming to the bar to interact with another human being. If they are ignored at the bar, they will not be motivated to spend any money and will not return for future visits. They are most likely a local and may or may not be a good tipper.
The one who is an out-of-towner
Many people have to travel for their work. This person comes into town from time-to-time looking for a way to blow off steam from their job. He/She is most likely a good tipper because most of their expenses while in the area are being paid by their company. This leaves their personal cash in their pocket for entertainment. This was me for several years and I was always looking for a bar or club with male dancers in every city where I stayed. That was how my data base of clubs was started at Males In Motion.
The one who is a first time visitor
A first time visitor can be any of the others. It is simply their first time at the bar or club. The dancers and staff need to find a way to encourage them to come back and if possible, make this their favorite or 'home' bar.
The one who is watching you with intensity
If an audience member is watching you with intensity, this means they are into you. They may be shy or have never tipped a male dancer before. Give them a nudge by making eye contact, giving them a smile. If they don't get up to tip you, do it again and this time grope your crotch and smile at them. When you are on a break, go by and speak with them. They are into you and for some reason do not want to walk up to where you are dancing. If you make a personal visit, it may be just enough for them to reach into their pocket for cash.
The one who is a regular at the club but not one of your regulars
Sometimes a customer winds up going to the same dancer on every visit to the club. They may just be really in to that dancer. But in this world of instant gratification and new stimuli, a customer will become bored and want a new toy. They were invisible to you before but make contact with them and each time they are at the club say hi. If the dancer they really like quits, you want to be in line for their tips. Also, you want to give them another reason to come to the club besides that one dancer. If the dancer leaves, the customer might quit coming if they don't have another reason to show up.
How to reach the invisible audience member?
Acknowledge They Exist
These people feel invisible. Do something to acknowledge you know they exist. Go by where they are sitting or standing and say "Hi, thanks for coming out. It doesn't take much to make a person feel someone is glad they are there. Speaking to them and being friendly can change their whole perspective on the night. Flirt a little if you feel it.
Eye Contact
When dancing make eye contact with as many people as you can. Let them know you can see them.
Make A Connection
When possible, spread a few minutes speaking with everyone you possibly can. Say hi and thanks. Asks them their name and tell them your name. Where are they from? Ask them if they've been to the club before. Do they have any questions about the club?
Let them know local procedures
If they've never been to the club and definitely if there are no signs posted with the information, let them know if it is a special night at the club and what will be going on. Also, let them know where they can get q drink and if they need them, where the bqthrooms are. Be a host.If lap dances are available, give them the information on how that can happen for them.
Final Thoughts
I have had several experiences as the first time visitor. There is one bar that I go to 3-4 time each year. For the most part, the dancers ignore new customers and spend all their time hanging with the regulars. I can understand this to a point. The regulars have probably tipped them many times in the past. However, new customers could become regulars if given motivation to return. I sometime wish I was given the opportunity to manage this club. I feel with a few changes I could help them increase the bars income and the tips received by the dancers.
I hope you'll at least give some of the ideas in this blog a test run. Open your eyes and look for the invisible customers. Take the challenge to see how many of them you can motivate to tip you!
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The following blogs provide tips and suggestions for increasing the income for a male strippera;
The Most Successful Way To Make Money As A Male Stripper ~ Create A Following
How can a male stripper increase their fan base?
I totally agree with you. A very good article. I used to go to a straight bar in Merced, California where many people would travel along Hwy 99 for business reasons. The bar was next to the hwy. The very handsome bartender was very friendly, handsome and well built because his primary job was as an Assistant Coach at the nearby community college. He would go out of his way to introduce customers to each other because he realized that many of his customers were only stopping because they spending the night at a nearby motel. I always appreciated his courtesy and no one ever seemed offended. I also have been to male strip bars where they had many strippers and they were of course, interested in you joining them for a VIP performance. I often went with the one who was aggressive enough to show an interest in me. But of course, they can be too aggressive, but that is usually not a problem. Usually they were very “friendly” or good teases. And like you so well stated, I have been new in a bar many times, and felt very uncomfortable at first, trying to locate what is going on and where the show is going on at. I always appreciate it when an employee welcomes me and tells me where the coat check is or where the dancers are. I have been at bars where the bartenders or other employees could tell that I was new and went out of their way to approach me to offers assistance. I have also been to bars where they acted like they were bothered by you. As a new person at a bar, I tend to look up reviews. Often the posts are comments about how the security or bartenders were very rude. That would impact me. But they often might be biased for some reason. This is one of the reasons why I so love Michael Hill doing his posts and his lists of gay bars with strippers. His info is awesome. So you, Michael, as always, are very practical and 100% correct in your advise.
Thank You David for your comment and for following the blog. I think many of us have had the ‘new guy’ experience. It makes such a diffefence when customers are greeted and informed. I always try to commend those who do!