How Stripper Vlogs Inspired Me to Write for Medium
Instead of another writing platform
When I first stumbled upon Stripper Vlogs on YouTube, I only thought of them as a good time-waster. The girls were pretty and the videos looked mildly interesting, so when I first clicked on a video I just thought it would be a one-time thing.
I had no idea how invested I would become.
These girls, while very different to me, had some of the most interesting lives and yet the most boring lives I had ever seen. A part of me, no matter how non-judgemental I thought I was, had always pictured these girls as party animals or brand-obsessed shopaholics. Never once had I questioned how their sleeping patterns would affect their social lives or everyday behavior.
Most spend their days sleeping or, for those with kids, napping in order to be ready for their shifts after doing errands during the day. Nothing truly extraordinary happens, and while their jobs are slightly more interesting, what I find fascinating and inspiring are their mindsets.
I’ve come to learn over the last few months, that Strippers and Medium writers have a lot in common.
Creativity
Why Platforms like YouTube and Medium are Good For Creativity
One of my first fears about writing for Medium was that I would have to write or research something I’m not particularly well-versed in. While I like to think of myself as a ‘Jack of All Trades’, it does come at the cost of not being an expert in one specific thing. If I was to write about money, it would have to be something I’ve investigated for personal use or interest and wouldn’t be a common article choice for me. I can write about gaming, but there are a lot of games I haven’t played yet.
After diving into Stripper Vlogs though, I’m much more confident that it’s okay I’m not an expert. You don’t need to have a doctorate in marketing to be a successful writer on Medium (though it does help).
Medium and YouTube work in similar ways. Other platforms will either restrict creativity, as the platform itself is a specific niche, or won’t support your individual interests but YouTube and Medium create a consumer and content creator relationship that allows for specific interests and topics to be successful. They rely on people with similar interests to exist within pockets of the site, like a community.
I didn’t know that some Strippers make most of their money without pole work. Some focus on making money from getting customers to agree to private rooms, while others can focus on working the floor. If you aren’t able to do the physical acrobatics that are required for pole work, you can utilize your seduction skills or natural charm to get the job done.
Strip clubs are also very diverse places of work. There are girls working in the same club that are very different aesthetically and personally, and yet each one will have regulars that return to see them. The fact that not a single girl didn’t have any regulars proved that people like different things and will actively interact if they know where to find what they’re looking for.
You don’t have to worry about people not liking your ideas on Medium, as long as they are executed well and you find people in that niche.
Educational Value
The Satisfaction that Comes from Creating Things that are Educational But Fun to Experience
Strippers that count their money on-screen will often emphasize how important paying your taxes is. I’ve had many people tell me that taxes are important and that everybody hates doing them, but I had never truly understood why until I watched Stripper Vlogs. Having someone explain Credit Scores who isn’t in themselves a banker or even particularly mathematically inclined made understanding taxes so much easier.
The Vlogs vary in content but still have something to teach. Something important the Vlogs teach is the unpredictability of the job. Being a Stripper is a fairly unstable job and the amount of money you receive in a night is often dependent on variables you can’t control.
If your regulars are feeling tired that night and it’s raining outside so people don’t want to walk far from the station there is nothing you can do about it, but you won’t know that unless you show up. There may be nights where the girls are tired or feeling down and don’t want to go to work, only to walk out with $3,000 in their hands. There are nights where the girls can work for hours only to get $3.
When I first started reading articles on the site, something that caught my eye was that a lot of writers felt their most successful articles were not their best or were made with the least amount of effort.
Just like Stripping, it’s unpredictable. Both are very different and yet they taught me the same lesson without feeling preachy. Education doesn’t have to be a massive vocal-point of your article but it can still have educational value by leaving the reader with something useful.
Summary
Stripping and writing have very drastic differences but the similarities are what make both interesting professions and anecdotes to witness. Both can be forms of self-employment, require creativity, require a strong-will, and motivation. That is why they can both exist on various internet platforms and can adapt to the environment around them.
Being able to witness these strong individuals can help benefit new writers, especially those lacking in self-confidence.
