3 things I wish I knew when I started my burlesque business
You can note in the title that I said ‘business’….
Not necessarily about starting performing. But the business side of being a performer. Getting on stage on your own or running your own venture can be an exciting and empowering endeavour - but there are certainly things I wish I had known when I first ventured into this world.
I have been on a constant journey of evolution over the past 15 years or so. So hopefully I have a few insights that might help.
In all honesty there are about a thousand and one things that I would do differently/better/improve on. So let us consider this part one in probably a never ending series of ‘things I wish I had done differently’
Getting Xero or accounting software from the start
No this isn’t sponsored! I am sure there are many other like minded apps or options out there. (and I did make use of the Australian Tax Office’s free expense tracker for a few years - - which is pretty good).
But honestly having the app for expenses is a lifesaver. Cost coding all my contractor payments, costume purchases - and recording my income - in one space. I think my tax return now takes about an hour to prepare because everything is costed into categories,. It also automatically helps me with my PAYG instalments, measuring and comparing previous year to date and month to date earnings.
I cannot say that I do everything perfectly - but gone are the days of stuffing reciepts in shoe boxes and envelopes
Be a better networker and be a good sounding board for other people.
Building strong relationships within the burlesque community and with event organizers, fellow performers, and costume designers has been instrumental in the growth of my business. Collaborations and word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful tools in this industry, and I wish I had fully understood their impact from the very beginning.
Additionally, the importance of self-promotion cannot be overstated. Establishing a strong online presence through social media, a professional website, and engaging content has significantly boosted my visibility and bookings. Consistent and strategic marketing efforts have been vital in maintaining a steady stream of opportunities.
Setting strong boundaries
It's easy to be consumed by the demands of running a burlesque business, but learning to balance work and personal life has been a valuable lesson. Scheduling social media posts, email campaigns and website updates has made a lot of things easier (though keeping on top of this is not my forte).
But I also think if you are teaching particularly, establishing some boundaries is really key. Some of the things that I wish I thought about earlier on:
Really enforcing policies (e.g no refunds or a refunds policy) is critical. Yes you feel horrible. But if you have some rules about attending classes or events as a small business, just make sure they are clear, and easy to read. Then abide by them !
Establishing a routine that allows for rest and rejuvenation at less busy points in the year
Make a policy of not feeling like you have to respond to messages or emails instantly. We live in a really toxic time where people expect you to be ‘on; all the time.
Setting expectations that you don’t live by messages is really important.