Safeguard yourself - always warm up properly before starting work. If you don't have a warm-up routine, you can use the warm-ups from home work-out videos to make sure that you don't injure yourself.
Check pop videos and music TV shows. Tape them so you can wind backwards and forwards and see the moves easily. Don't copy whole routines but you can borrow a few good moves and work them into your own routines.
Use the web. There are several sites which explain stars' dance routines step-by-step. Have a look around and see what you can find.
Don't forget that you're going to need to sing at the same time, so don't make your routine so punishing that you get out of breath. Make sure that while you're singing, you're not pushing yourself into positions that make it hard to use your voice.
Video yourself so you can see yourself from a different perspective. Because you're not actually performing, you can see how your routine will look to other people.
Keep it simple. If you watch a lot of professionals, their dance routines aren't really that complex. Make it easy to remember the moves and keep verses and choruses similar.
Use the lyrics. Acting out the words of a song can suggest some steps which you can include in your routine.
Use moves that come naturally. What would you do if you were just dancing with your mates in a club? Incorporate some moves from that.
Work without the music. Count the beats out loud while you run through the routine. You can practise small sections without having to keep rewinding the tape. You can also count slowly so you can try tricky sections and then build them to full speed.
Run through your routine while pretending to hold a microphone so you can be sure you're always holding it by your mouth when you need it.
Don't forget to have dress rehearsals. Make sure that whatever costume you wear allows you to move freely enough and doesn't show off any bits of you you'd rather people didn't see when you bend over!
