Dancer Archive
Thread: Advice on earning Tips
I have a combat character (carbineer/ranger)onone server I was growing bored with and decided after they added mind buffs to make a new character. I decided to make a charactrer I always wish was in my groups but never able to find one wanting to come along: dancer/pistoleer. I can heal mind, buff and do some damage as well. A nice group friendly character.
So, I had been working dancer first and to my shock I was getting no tips. I was shocked because I am a rich character on my other server and throw money around all the time at entertainers. I simply thought others did too...well I was wrong.
So I was broke and not earning any tips. Then I did something simple that changed that. I evaluated myself the way I evaluate dancers/musicials when I come into the cantina looking to get healed. First, are they actually there. The only way to judge this is by a welcome or smile greeting me. Next, are they wearing a title? I want to get healed fast, so I go for the people wearing the highend titles....novice dancer just didn't cut it. Second, are they dressed nice or wearing some junky looking starer clothes.
So, I looked at myself. I had on junky clothes cause I could not afford good ones. I fixed that my running missions until I could buy a nice set of clothing....I called doing this an investment in my character. Next, I got myself up 1 tree so I had the Enthraller title. Now I looked good...and had a nice title. All I need to do now is greet people walking in. Smiles, welcomes, hellos...comments...gosh what happened to you...etc.
Bingo. Tips gallor. I made 10k yesterday the first day after my makeover while in the many previous days my tips totalled about 1k (and I mean 1k total...not 1k per day). So, that is what I did and I wanted to share that. There is some bad news in this. All along I chatted and greet people. Nothing. Then I got the nice clothing and title. Its the whole package...you need to look good (title and clothing) and sound good (interact with people).
This is probably not good news very new characters but atleast you know where to head in order to learn a living from dancing. I posted this to help upcoming dancers and I hope it does!
NovaMarine, you pretty much nailed it. I've seen posts by combat chars about entertainers. People will usually tip 1) the person that greets them first at the door, or 2) the person that interacts with them the most. For both of these, clothes help immensely. If you're wearing something appealing that is coordinated, you'll make the person at the keyboard smile. If you're interactive (not with just the patron, but even with other entertainers), then you give the person something to read while the toon sits there (and occasionally ogles)toheal up.
Most players don't tip afk entertainers, or those that say nothing for the duration of their visit (can be assumed to be afk, with the auto-afk turned off).
Congratulations Novamarine! I'm happy that the dancing profession is working out for you. It sounds like you are doing everything right.
I would like to add, that another great way to get tips is.....not to ask for them. I have never asked for a tip in my life and if I had 10cr to my name, I still wouldn't. It's demeaning and pathetic. You nailed it on the head with a smile or greeting as someone walks in and polite conversation to let them know you are there.
You could even do this without the expensive clothes or a higher title above your head and still get tips. Just my two cents. 
TakeelahSunrise wrote:
I would like to add, that another great way to get tips is.....not to ask for them. I have never asked for a tip in my life and if I had 10cr to my name, I still wouldn't.
Aija:
Yes, yes, YES!! I get mad when the macrotainers come in with spam text, or if a new dancer starts begging for tips as if they're going to come to you all over night. I'll usually say, "Please don't use the t-word in the cantina. It's rude, and not very becoming!" I can't agree with you more, here.
An additional note: I've had new players ask me how much they should tip. I always thank them for thinking of the entertainers, and then go on to tell them that they should tip what they feel is adequate for the entertainment that they received. "Tip what you feel is appropriate." If pressed, I'll continue to me modest, indicating that they should only tip what they can afford. I don't really expect a new player that's been shooting Corellia butterfiles to come in and tip me more than 100 credits. As you play the game, though, and as you start becoming more successful, I think that players naturally tend to tip more.
/beam Aija
I'm glad you mentioned this, Aija. Very good point. 
1) Be very social - you are, after all, an entertainer. Try to greet all new entries into the Cantina. Even in a room full of entertainers, I make decent tips just by greeting and healing people.
2) Never yell or begfor tips. It's the surest way NOT to make them. You don't automatically deserve a tip for doing your job (although it'd be nice).
3) When asked how much they should tip, say what they feel it was worth. I've had 15 credit tips and 10,000 credit tips. As in any service industry job (of which I've held many), the high tippers and regulars help even out the bad or non-existant tips.
4) Dress like a dancer. I make far less tips dressed in full composite armor than I do when I'm in a fleshwrap.
5) Have fun! People like to be around fun people and gladly tip when you've made their day.
I find that the ppl who comes in, like a smile.. but even if you've missed em, if you're at the keyboard, in a convo with someone, they're willing to handle it well.
The other thing I've found, is I can be flirty, but when someone gets too "close" I make a saucy back off comment... and it's taken well (normally) and I get alot of "attention" to my "tude" which they like. So instead of putting them OFF... *shrugs* But they know where they stand with me.
Just my 2 cents
Am'ava
Ok you pretty much hit it right on the money. However, if you are a good roleplayer and enjoy really playing the part. You can make a ton of money and have lots of fun by really taking it to the extreme.Flirt with customers, offer lapdances, nude dances ect. Think about the Star Wars universe. The entertainers at the cantinas were not exactly an example of self-restraint. Do like they do in the movies and books and really get into it.
I did a little experiment a few weeks ago: I made a really attractive female dancer and had absolutely no limits on what i would do for patrons. I made 58,000 credits in ONE EVENING in about 3 hrs.
There isn't a profession in the galaxy where a n00b character with a starting prof of 0-0-1-0 can make 19k per hour!
Going all out is a fun RP experience, the customers love it, and you make uber credits.
Also, previous posts make a good point about NEVER asking for tips. That is totally putting off for customers. Just go all out, do anything for the customers, and then don't worry about tips, they will come.
As in real life, if money is more important than your reputation and self-respect, than this is the way to go.
I try not to be judgemental, but I find it hard to equate "Do like they do in the movies", which were PG and aimed at something like 12-year-olds, to lap dancing and prostitution.
You're welcome to play as you wish, but to folks reading this thread, I would think hard before taking this advice.
- J
Interesting topic! The first poster made it all quite clear and then the others filled in what was missed.
I Nice and friendly attitude I Nice looking dressI Never ever beg for tips, that does not lookvery good! I Welcome every person that step into the cantina, if you miss one and notice him 3 minutes after he enter the cantina, give him a smile and let him know you know he is there I Talk to the people, ask them how their day was etc I
This work good for me. I usually have a bit of flirty friendly attitude, which work very good. I am not over sexual, that would make me look bad and I have to think of my reputation. Lapdances are out of questions in the puplic cantinas. If you are invited to dance in a private club then yes, maybe... /wink /grin
"I did a little experiment a few weeks ago: I made a really attractive female dancer and had absolutely no limits on what i would do for patrons. I made 58,000 credits in ONE EVENING in about 3 hrs."
Did you ever intend on playing that character again? I'm betting not.
Ifyouhave"no limits" on whatyou'll do for an almighty credit, it will only hurt you in the long run. How willyou get respect in dancing or any profession once you're known as the girl who'll strip/lapdance/talk dirty for the right price?
Credits are temporary, reputation is forever.
you guys are all taking what I said waaaay to seriously. I was just having some fun playing with a temp character.
JacenTerek wrote:you guys are all taking what I said waaaay to seriously. I was just having some fun playing with a temp character.
Have fun with your character all you want, but your advice sounded on the level, and for a new dancer looking to make some money, enticing. It's fair to let them know the downside of that decision before they make it.
You may be just having fun, but your 'advice' could very easily ruin the reputation of someone who is not using a throwaway character.
- J
I think the big point is to have fun when your being an entertainer and for that means being social.
On those nights when I am not feeling that social or am distracted, then I will go surveying or I will join a big entertainer group in coronet or I will just not play. On those nights I am just going through the motions; therefore, I am not looking for pay.
On the nights I am feeling more social, I will talk to everybody that comes through the door. I will sing songs and tell stories. For instance, I told one of my stories which is 6 and a half macros long to a packed house of 15+ people at that tavern in the mining outpost on Dantooine a couple of nights ago. On nights such as these, I tend to make good tips.
One thing I do, is when I am tipped and no matter the size of the tip is to send a tell to the person who gave me the tip thanking them and offering them good luck.