Thread: Please, I want to make myself a business of Belly Dance

I am 25 a 10 years belly dancer, and having been working as a belly dancer instructor in Brazil, I have been living here for 5 years, I have been focus on belly dance trainning and now i want to get back on stages, and start a business of this.

Please someone who is able to share ideas I will be veru greatfull.
I wonder to know if i need professional photos, if I need videos, if I need website, business card, add myself in a loca newspaper.

any ideas and informations of marketing a business I will happy to hear it.
I also would like to know some restaurantes in Austin to dance.

Depending on what you want to do: teach, perform at restaurants, perform at private events/shows, etc.. you will need to do several things:

1) Find out if you have a community leader in the belly dance community where you live. If you do - invite him/her out and ask lots of questions: who dances where/ what the local rates are/ who teaches in what areas of town...

2) Call and get to know the other local professionals - ask all the same questions...let them know what you are looking to do...ask for some ideas.

3) If there is a local ongoing hafla or social gatherings for the belly dance community - get involved.

4) Find a place to teach - studio rental space/ local recreation center/ etc...

5) Advertise yourself using business cards, flyer's, internet listings, local ads in local papers and through the community.

These are just some ideas you can use to get your feet wet and find a nice place to get yourself started...Good Luck!

yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes! :)

Start out slow tho, its a big investment. Id get good qualiy photos first, you need those for business cards, websites, and press kits. Get some good video clips of you, too performing at haflas or on stage. Definitly get involved in your local community.

But I think that what makes a professional is to be someone who always strives to improve herself, her dance, and the art in general.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by brazilianbellydancer

I wonder to know if i need professional photos, if I need videos, if I need website, business card, add myself in a loca newspaper.

Hi, Amaryllis
Well I am in Austin and I heard that is not a good place to grown into Belly Dance Career.
I am kind living far of downtown and not able to move myself around driving. Which could be a chance for me to work and teaches there.
For now, I am looking to start a private classes of Belly Dance. What would recommend to make a private Classes, in physical therms. Room, material, and policy?
What tips could you give to me offering private classes in my own home?

I came from NYC and seems so different. Now I am getting sad for not having opportunities here in Austin. Please Help me!