Too Many Women!
- Thread starter gslick
- Start date
...AgeingHippy
Changui
I wonder whether it's about attracting men, or whether it's more about keeping the men that do come.
I think that Salsa is a lot more difficult for a beginner lead than it is for a beginner follower, with the result that followers will stay with the classes much longer on average than the men.
I don't really know this for a fact, but as a beginner lead that is my personal impression.
The solution, whatever it may be, depends on the cause of the problem. That is, if there is a solution..
I think that Salsa is a lot more difficult for a beginner lead than it is for a beginner follower, with the result that followers will stay with the classes much longer on average than the men.
I don't really know this for a fact, but as a beginner lead that is my personal impression.
The solution, whatever it may be, depends on the cause of the problem. That is, if there is a solution..
Get the teacher to accept guys from high-level classes for free in the lower levels. Many will welcome the extra practice.
It is not uncommon to have too many followers in the lower levels and too few in the higher levels.
It is not uncommon to have too many followers in the lower levels and too few in the higher levels.
The question is/was, HOW does one get men into a studio ? Clubs do better for many reasons, but the provincial class is always a struggle ( BR does better than salsa ), and metro areas,salsa is much better .
Sustaining attendance ,is equally challenging .
My answer was to the problem, not the question. As for the question, let's see...
Advertise at places where there are a lot of single men such as (technical) universities, bars, sports schools, etc. Use scantily dressed women on the poster
Give free trial lessons at some of these places. Give discounts to guys or to girls who bring guys or to people who subscribe as a couple.
Advertise at places where there are a lot of single men such as (technical) universities, bars, sports schools, etc. Use scantily dressed women on the poster
Give free trial lessons at some of these places. Give discounts to guys or to girls who bring guys or to people who subscribe as a couple.AgeingHippy
Changui
Use scantily dressed women on the poster
Haha. Us males are really such simple creatures :-D
AgeingHippy
Changui
Any thoughts as to why there may be too few followers in the higher levels?
In my experience, the leads are difficult to start but when they get hooked, they stick to it for longer. The benefits from advanced classes are more obvious for leaders while the followers get to a plateau where they are good enough and don't see much improvement and decide that the classes are not worth it. Not always the case but it happens more often than not.
I agree with SalsaGipsy, I observed the same thing in Casino Lessons, at the beginning there were always more women, but after about a year, the ratio fliped. Women realise that after they know the basics, they dont profit anymore of the pattern centric lessons. While men still learn at least a bit.
There are always exceptions, in my NYon2 Lessons the ratio is like 2:1 .. its Probably all those bored follows from the cansio lessons that switched to NYon2 while the men stayed in hte casino lessons
There are always exceptions, in my NYon2 Lessons the ratio is like 2:1 .. its Probably all those bored follows from the cansio lessons that switched to NYon2 while the men stayed in hte casino lessons
My answer was to the problem, not the question. As for the question, let's see...
Advertise at places where there are a lot of single men such as (technical) universities, bars, sports schools, etc. Use scantily dressed women on the poster
Those things are somewhat successful in larger towns/cities, but, that excludes many small locations/ areas,, like the one in which I'm currently teaching . ( I sent Prof done posters to the 5 high/middle schools, within a 3 mile radius. not ONE response) .I've advertised in local weekly papers , "throwaway" weekly's, and the "net " ( In salsa and B/room ) .
This is one of the lowest response times I've experienced ,over multi years of teaching. (And don't say "move " , have done that 3 times, in a very short time period ) .
Ron Obvious
Son
The solutions have already been mentioned, but I'll do the executive summary:
1) go to a more advanced class
2) if you are a leader and at an advanced class, go to a solo/musical/technical class instead
3) if at club setting, arrive later and/or stay later
'You cannot change the wind but you can adjust your sails' (probably coelho)
1) go to a more advanced class
2) if you are a leader and at an advanced class, go to a solo/musical/technical class instead
3) if at club setting, arrive later and/or stay later
'You cannot change the wind but you can adjust your sails' (probably coelho)
I cannot say why it isn't working without being there and knowing the details but I seriously doubt high-schoolers are your target customers. Few guys in high school are interested in partner dancing. And in general they will be more interested in taking classes from somebody close to their age. It's just psychology unfortunately.
It may be that your region is just too small and too quiet, I don't know. But there must be a pub where guys go or something like that where you can advertise or give a trial lesson.
Also in my experience starting a new type of advanced class attracts more women than men. But they disappear quickly as soon as novelty wears off. Men are more persistent, but in my experience they are more sensitive, when there are more men, than women in a class (which happens often in advanced classes).I think women more often than men are looking for some fun and socializing opportunity element in classes. For example, classes, which have a nice and friendly student group, keep the female students better. Just my unscientific observations attending different classes 
But I have no answer to the original question
But I have no answer to the original question
Working on the assumption that, there advanced classes etc. And IF there is a club.
I've worked in 4 different locales since back in the UK, and none of those 3 choices existed .As I said, if you are in a metro or large city area, your choices are much better, for all those you mentioned .
On the contrary,, kids classes in the UK ( 4 - 13 ) do very well ( that's how I got started. ). I did mail them as a last resort .
And, I don't drink, so pubs for me are not an option. I did advertise in one in the recent past, but no interest shown. I actually, about 3 years ago , got a salsa class going, then guess what, the owners closed the pub !!.
Also, the majority of pubs seem to have their spaces rented out for karaoke and the like .
I guess I got spoiled living in major cities/towns in the States, where I never found it a problem to get business.
To give you an idea how it seems to be elsewhere in the UK, just read DJ Yuca's posts, about the lack of interest in salsa, and he lives in a major city..
Kromat83
Changui
You think the turnouts would be better for bachata, where there is a closer connection ?
There are a lot more styles to choose from these days to express oneself.
Maybe some want something different, that is why bachata is there and Kizomba is there which women seem to attend.
Amongst young people here, Zouk is quite popular.
The learning scale for Salsa is a lot higher, and i've tried it for a while, but what I have been learning Is just the middle of what else can be explored.
I still practice Salsa and take classes whenever I can and I still can improve, but decent with what I know. I love the fusion that can be fused into Bachata, and I can even use Rumba moves in the slow downs, lots of variety.
There are a lot more styles to choose from these days to express oneself.
Maybe some want something different, that is why bachata is there and Kizomba is there which women seem to attend.
Amongst young people here, Zouk is quite popular.
The learning scale for Salsa is a lot higher, and i've tried it for a while, but what I have been learning Is just the middle of what else can be explored.
I still practice Salsa and take classes whenever I can and I still can improve, but decent with what I know. I love the fusion that can be fused into Bachata, and I can even use Rumba moves in the slow downs, lots of variety.
newdancer81
Changui
Hmm..this is quite interesting. I've been to a class in a major metropolitan city and also in a suburb of that city. In the suburbs, there always seems to be more women than men, especially for salsa and ballroom dances. However, when I went to a salsa and bachata class in the metro area, there were almost twice as many guys.
I'm not sure if this is because guys in these areas are more "club" type people and trying to learn how to dance to get with a girl or something. I think those in the suburbs are truly just trying to learn.
In terms of tips on how to attract more males (I'm a guy), hmm....maybe
a) Advertise at a gym;
b)This is going to sound very chauvinistic, but have attractive female instructors doing sales pitches. Unfortunately, us men are very uncivilized.
c) Do the opposite of clubs - clubs advertise women are free, and maybe try "males/leads 1/2 price" though that may have some backlash. Just throwing stuff out there.
d) Offer free food??? Guys love food.
I'm not sure if this is because guys in these areas are more "club" type people and trying to learn how to dance to get with a girl or something. I think those in the suburbs are truly just trying to learn.
In terms of tips on how to attract more males (I'm a guy), hmm....maybe
a) Advertise at a gym;
b)This is going to sound very chauvinistic, but have attractive female instructors doing sales pitches. Unfortunately, us men are very uncivilized.
c) Do the opposite of clubs - clubs advertise women are free, and maybe try "males/leads 1/2 price" though that may have some backlash. Just throwing stuff out there.
d) Offer free food??? Guys love food.