The more I talk to various guests on the Belly Dance Life podcast, the more I realize that those ‘secret strategies’ of success in belly dance are actually very obvious.

Often we imagine some hidden secrets or tricks around success in belly dance: "Oh, there must be something that this dancer did to get invited to that event! Oh, I wish I knew that trick to attract more students to my classes...", and so on.

It’s much easier to explain someone’s success with a hidden secret conspiracy, rather than acknowledge their work and achievements. But you know, the more I talk to various guests on the Belly Dance Life podcast, the more I realize that those ‘secret strategies’ are actually very obvious, but often we prefer to simply ignore them!

Here are my top 7 ‘secrets’ of success in belly dance:

Aim to become an expert: You can't be a master of absolutely everything related to dance, but you can be known and recognized as an expert in a very specific niche.

Create a network: Just being a respectful and kind human will already do the trick, but creating a network of people will serve as your support, inspiration and push you forward.
If you do something, do it with 100%: Your work is your best business card and promotional tool.

Know the ultimate goal of what you are offering: You are not selling a 20-min of your belly dance show, or 10 workshops at your festival. You are selling the experience, the emotions and the hope people get from interacting with your offer. Make sure you are addressing their exceptions, not only the practical side of the question.
Go out of your comfort zone: Never stop expanding and improving. At some point you will reach the dream point, or figure out how to do something.
Think about your ideal scenario: What other surrounding conditions are important for you. How can you increase things that fulfill and charge you, and how can you decrease things that drain your energy, and make you feel out of balance.
Keep going: The difference between successful dancers and other dancers is simply that other dancers gave up too early.

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Author: Iana Komarnytska
Photographer: Pedro Bonatto