OK, maybe stripper isn’t exactly the right word. I think “dancer” is the preferred terminology. Either way, I spent a couple weeks in southern Florida, and the cast of characters I encountered were a unique bunch. One in particular, a young gentleman named Blake, taught me a lot about his chosen profession, and the lessons learned are surprisingly adaptable to musicians, marketing, and (naturally…) music marketing.
Lesson One: Don’t be creepy…
So Blake makes his money off the “kindness” of strangers. There’s a bit of bumping, some grinding, and of course, dancing. He doesn’t look at all aloof, self-absorbed, or even threatening. In short, people want to talk to him (for starters…). Being approachable allows people to interact with you , and allows Blake to make a living while wearing minimal clothing. But I digress…
Lesson Two: Identify faithful customers, and show your appreciation…
Blake explained that he’s got a few folks that visit him fairly regularly. Those folks get special treatment, and he’s developed a relationship (of sorts…) with them. As a musician, or marketer, developing these types of relationships helps sustain both your career and your ongoing success. Fan loyalty is the first step to longevity as an artist.
Lesson Three: Be memorable
Image, in Blake’s business, is everything. But for musicians, while it helps to be talented, it also helps to stand out. For Blake, it means wearing different clothes/costumes, but for a musician it could mean all kinds of things. Some artists become more memorable for everything but their music. Those musicians don’t last too long.
Lesson Four: Know your business.
While I don’t harbor any desire (or skills…) to become a stripper/exotic dancer/guy who takes his clothes off for a living, I was curious about how the business worked. Rather than being naive or misinformed, Blake knew exactly how much money he needed to make, how he could make it, and what he had to do (legally, mind you…) to meet the goals he set for himself. He had it broken down by number of customers, hours at work, and so on. As musicians, knowing how much money specific efforts/campaigns yield helps to determine the best use of your time. This is where understanding your customer base is critical. Especially for strippers and/or musicians…
