IEN

Dancers need to promote themselves

First and foremost, you are not just a dancer, you are a business entity that uses the medium of exotic dance to earn revenue. As a business, you should strive to be the
best-run business, earning the most revenue in your industry. Once you realize this and take control of your business, your profits and your financial nest egg will grow
and your financial future will be assured.

Managing Your Business
As an independent entertainer, you must also be your own business manager. As business manager, you develop your work product, i.e. your dance style, your clothing,
your shoes, etc.; schedule your business' hours of operation; manage (control) your expense budget and determine your profit margin. When you accept this philosophy,
you will realize that you are a business manager first, a dancer second.

Advertising Your Business
Every successful business relies, to some extent, on advertising. Your advertising should be directed at your current client base and at attracting new clientele. There are
many forms of advertising. IEN recommends two simple forms of advertising that your business will benefit from:

1. Electronic advertising, in the form of a brief, but informative and seductive website/advertisement is a must for your business.
2. Business cards, to be handed to each client at the conclusion of your business with him/her, will direct the client to your website and help ensure that the client stays
up-to-date on your career, your current work venue and your current work schedule.

Your Website/Advertisement
Your website is your international billboard. When properly managed, it allows you to stay in touch with your clients by keeping them up-to-date on your career and your
work schedule. Through information sharing and, if you permit, email contact, your website/advertisement will help ensure that your clients come back to you, time and
time again.

Your business card directs your client to your website; keeps you on your client's mind; and encourages him/her to return to you, on your schedule and at your current
work location. It works as a tool to build a steady income stream from repeat business.

Stop losing income - Develop repeat business

Reduce the competition by building a client base of regulars, both locals and out-of-towners

Building a customer base of "regulars"
Men, and women, are creatures of habit. When we find a good thing, we want more of it, no matter what it is. It's easier to return to a sure thing than to search for
another good thing, only to be disappointed during that search. Don't get me wrong, there are some that prefer the never ending chase and look at it as an adventure.
However, most will find a good thing and stick with it.

Building a customer base will reduce the time you spend trolling the floor for new business. Instead, your regulars will be seeking you out. It will be your name that the
club DJ pages over and over. Your client base will be spending their money on you, not the competition. In short, you will be able to make more money with less effort.

Out-of-town visitors
Many men and women make multiple trips to town each year. For many, to unwind with their favorite entertainer is something they look forward to between trips, that is,
if they can find you.

Consider this scenario:
An out-of-town client spends a good sum of money with you and only you. At the end of the night, you say your good-byes and hope that he/she returns to see you, next
time.

Next trip to town, the client visits the club where he last saw you. To his/her surprise, you're not there. You've moved on to another club or you took the night off. The
client is disappointed and doesn't know how to locate you. Club management won't provide him/her with any information. They won't even acknowledge that you ever
worked there. So, the client is left with no other choice but to spend his/her money on other entertainers. He/she may or may not find another "favorite" who replaces
you on his list of entertainers to patronize.

That is lost opportunity, lost income and it could easily have been avoided. The worst thing that can happen to your business is that your clients can't find you and,
therefore, can't patronize your business. Without a means of contact, such as a website/advertisement, your client comes to town or, as a local visits the club, and has to
blindly hope that his/her favorite entertainer still works there.

The Solution is simple: You can easily maintain your local regulars & out-of-town customer base and put more money in your pocket by doing two simple things:

1) Self-Promotion through a website/advertisement, such as the Independent Entertainer's Network, and
2) Maintaining contact with your client base through your website/advertisement and, if you permit, via email.