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I am trying to track the growth of the belly dance market for my business class and I really don't know where else to start but here...
I'm looking for research on:
Defining the belly dance market
Addressing applicable demographics, psychographics, age brackets, and geographical segments that apply to belly dance.
Providing statistics that indicate the rate of growth of the belly dance market historically and recently.
I would truly appreciate any help or direction that anyone could/would provide me with,
Alison Leigh
I'm looking for research on:
Defining the belly dance market
Addressing applicable demographics, psychographics, age brackets, and geographical segments that apply to belly dance.
Providing statistics that indicate the rate of growth of the belly dance market historically and recently.
I would truly appreciate any help or direction that anyone could/would provide me with,
Alison Leigh
posted by:
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Georgia
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Wed, April 22, 2009 - 5:22 AMSo far as I'm aware, there's no serious, detailed research into the "belly dance" market.
Part of your issue will be that the market is HIGHLY fractured -- many dancers simply don't advert, so if you try to sample, in most areas it'll be skewed. For example, my old teacher is very active in the city, but never puts out advertising, or participates in online discussion, etc. Approaching researching this dance form is much different than researching, say, the market for Ballet, where the schools are easy to identify and contact in a region.
And all that's outside of the divides in the dance from itself, such as ATS/ITS, Egyptian, American Style, and so on. Not incorporating those, and how the demographics skew between sub-genres, will affect your data's accuracy negatively as well.
But again, I'm unaware of anyone having actually done this work -- it takes a lot of time and money, and those are things most dancers and/or dance vendors, don't have.
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Looking for research?
Wed, April 22, 2009 - 7:27 AMTo make a stab at overcoming the problems that Woodrow so eloquently expounded upon --
If it were MY class project, I'd start with the belly dance / mid-eastern dance organizations that have been around for a while. Google for them. The problem with demographics, psychographics and geographical statistics is that many artistic types have difficulty finding their appointment books, never mind about coming up with statistics; and females (who dominate most aspects of this 'market') are especially conditioned to think that business and math stuff is for guys, not gals. But organizations that have been putting out publications and doing evaluations of 'their' market for a couple of decades would, willy-nilly, be attempting to do the business-and-math thing and might be willing to share with you. Or be interviewed by you. Or sell you copies of past publications. -
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Re: Looking for research?
Wed, April 22, 2009 - 9:26 AMI would also say there are different "belly dance markets".
The "belly dance community" is I believe where most belly dancers reside. There are tons of students buying hip-scarves, music, props and video. Paying for classes, workshops etc. Going to and participating in haflas and other belly dance community events. Teaching workshops, buying costumes, taking part in competitions etc. The Belly-sphere is it's own microcosm. Bringing in students, creating teachers who then bring in more students. They provide performing opportunities that create a need in the market etc.
There is also the Arab, Turkish (etc) market and the performers who regularly entertain them at their clubs, parties etc. Obviously these performers also need education, props, music, costumes etc. So they contribute to the community while they have a different market base for their income (although there is some cross over if teaching). There are some regions where this market does not exist or is very limited.
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Wed, April 22, 2009 - 7:50 PMThe best advice that I can give to you is to contact the business director of one of the companies that produces belly dance DVDs, and the publishers of belly dance magazines. If they are willing to help you, they would be your best resources. Good luck! -
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Wed, April 22, 2009 - 8:44 PMFrom what I understand- belly dance magazines (both print and online) are for the most part a "labor of love", not a "profit venture". They will certainly know about who advertises though.
DVDs- there are SO many different levels to go with. Again- some never make their money back, some do. Interesting to hear about where/how they reach their public. Many are of course workshop instructors who do really well bringing their product to events. Interesting to also note which ones pay rights on the music- they are the ones more likely to also be available to the GP on Amazon. There are certainly many different aspects to look at.
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Wed, April 22, 2009 - 10:41 PMI find it ironic that although the belly dance community is kind of its own world, and somehow seperate from the mainstream market, how large it is when you think about it. You've got ticket sales for shows, workshops, festivals, intensives, competitions, etc. You've got the sales of DVDs, CDs, downloads, podcasts, costumes, props, jewelry, bindis, makeup, books, magazines, etc. You have schools and classes, all at varying levels of size and professionalism . .
Just some things to think about. I'd recommend contacting some of the top of the line companies and asking them. You could email dancers who have their own companies or schools (Bellyqueen, Suhaila's School of Bellydance, Bozenka's Bellydance Academy) or touring companies like the Bellydance Superstars . . . also Yallah Magazine, Saroyan zills, World Dance New York, Cheeky Girls Productions, etc. etc.
I'm sure we'd all be very interested in what you come up with! -
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Sat, April 25, 2009 - 1:30 PM
Y'all gave me so many good places to jump off!
Thank you all so much!!
I am off to get a start on contacting all these people! -
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Sat, April 25, 2009 - 4:30 PMBy the way, Please allow me to introduce myself... Sometimes, I can be super focused and I forget about pleasantries.
My name is Alison Leigh and I am completing my graduate studies in Metals and Jewelry at Savannah College of Art and Design. I have wanted nothing else but to start-up a boutique where I can sell the lovely things I make and find.
I am currently in a business class, which is making me do the market research! Thanx to everyone for being here and helping!!
I decided to start with Bellydance Superstars, The Gilded Serpent, TribalFest, TribalCon, and Shimmy.com... so far -
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Sun, April 26, 2009 - 9:47 PMInteresting! I wish you good luck!
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Wed, May 6, 2009 - 7:46 PMYou might want to add to that the folks who organize Rakkasah festivals which occur 3 times annually. TribalFest and TribalCon obviously are more focused on Tribal, so if you want a more diverse spread Rakkasah might be able to shed a different spin on things....
Just my 1 cent...
Cheers (and I agree, the results would certainly be interesting to everyone!)
;-) Rob
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Wed, May 6, 2009 - 9:16 PMAccording to Miles Copeland from this 2006 discussion:
"Like many in this community I am very interested in how many people are into bellydance and to what degree in the various catagories. From CD sales of the BDSS series and concert ticket sales I can estimate the base interest In the US is about 100,000 (those that are very to reasonably interested). There are many more who are "mildly" interested. Teachers accross the country tell me that interest is growing steadily with no sign of leveling off. The mainstream is now taking notice and taking the dance more seriously than in the past. The inclusiveness of the dance will enable it to grow even further even if (and maybe because of) greater professionalism coming into the dance at the top level. In a strange way even the greater interest in the Middle East region helps attract interest to the dance. I think we are in for a long period of growth for this art. "
bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread...dd205ff -
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Re: Help with belly dance market research
Thu, May 7, 2009 - 5:58 PMHey Brad! Thanks for pointing me to this older thread! That was very helpful and gave me a bunch more to digest!
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