rate of pay around the country.

[jleekaraoke]

I guess I don't understand why you would charge the patrons instead of the venue.......They are making money because the people want to more music and are willing to stay there and spend more money...I realize karaoke is different all over.. just trying to understand it...We do things a little bit different around here although it is a smaller venue area for us.. usually offer the venue first time deal and if they want to book again.. they know your real asking price.. but around here the venues are very generous if they make more money.. so if i charge $200 that is for the entire 4 hours of the show... but if i go into a venue that have other kj's or dj's there I generally charge the same price...as far as the cut off list.. depending on how many singers I generally allow about 20 min to 1/2 hour cut off... It's cool to hear from other kj's and how they do things.. thanks

Originally Posted by Debbi

Hi, Everyone...I'm in Southern California...been doing shows for 17 years and always being very particular about my sound system and equipment... and by always updating the library... has acquired me quite a following! Here are a few suggestions...First have faith in yourself, you're worth the money!...And have the respect for the rest of the KJ's out there trying to make a decent living for themselves and their families! So keep pace on the pay with the other KJ's...we all need to stick together! Anyone will take advantage of you, if you let them!
Okay...here are some suggestions and ways that I've acquired gigs. For Sunday thru Thursday's I'll pitch the owner that I will do 3 hours for $150.00, then if the customers want me to stay, I do a Pay-to-Play, where I charge them (the customers) $5.00 a song, for over-time. (Remember the 80's where the Roxy started to make the Bands "Pay-to-Play")? Anyways...you have to learn and estimate where to cut off your list (around 30 to 60 minutes depending on how long the list is) and make announcements as to when your show is officially over and the Pay-to-Play begins (so they don't get mad because they already put their name on the list or turned in their slip). So it's $150.00 for 3 hours...then go to over-time, where you will make up what you deserve to earn. Then, over time, depending on how you promote...your show should acquire a good following and you can ask for a $25-$50 raise (still for the 3 hours) and still do the over-time! I can come home with $250.00 plus on a week night!
On week-end (Fri. & Sat.), I charge $250.00/4hrs. However, just starting a new gig...tell the owner your $250.00 price, then suggest something better for them (people always like a deal).... such as $200.00 for a 3 1/2 hour show... then tell them you do this Pay-to-Play thing, where the customers pay you to stay....The owner no longer has to pay you any more money, the Bar is still making money, you (the KJ) is making money and everybody's happy! When it gets real busy, then you can ask for a raise there!
Promote alot, so you can get the Following!!!! That's your Amo.
Note: In order for it to work, you must really establish the Pay-to-Play thing with your customers. Let them know it's coming and at what time you change over! Just remember the more people you let sing beyond where you start the Pay-to-Play, you're just cutting into your own profit!
Also, you can charge whatever you choose for over-time. In the beginning (over 10 years ago), I charged $3.00 a song. Be patient and nice....if you choose to do it.....
It works Great for me!
Best wishes to you All!!!!!!
Debbi

P.S. Private Party's are $150.00 to $250.00 per hour, depending on how many people, distance, stairs, just DJ, or DJ/KJ, etc. I may have to bring more equipment than most party's and also pay my help! Wedding's start... for the very basic... at $695.00 on up!

[mindonstrike]

Originally Posted by jleekaraoke

I guess I don't understand why you would charge the patrons instead of the venue.......They are making money because the people want to more music and are willing to stay there and spend more money...I realize karaoke is different all over.. just trying to understand it...We do things a little bit different around here although it is a smaller venue area for us.. usually offer the venue first time deal and if they want to book again.. they know your real asking price.. but around here the venues are very generous if they make more money.. so if i charge $200 that is for the entire 4 hours of the show... but if i go into a venue that have other kj's or dj's there I generally charge the same price...as far as the cut off list.. depending on how many singers I generally allow about 20 min to 1/2 hour cut off... It's cool to hear from other kj's and how they do things.. thanks

I think Debi's charging to sing was for overtime where the bar won't pay. If you can do it without P'ing off your customers I say more power to ya. That wouldn't work to well in my neck of the woods but everywhere is different.

When I run overtime (most everynight), I try to make a point of mentioning that "the bar stops paying me at 1am but I'm gonna try and get these last songs..." etc etc, hoping someone would be inclined to tip because I'm working for free. Rarely works but hope springs eternal

[Debbi]

Hey, guys....it's me, Debbi....I do start the pay-to-play after my official
time with the club is over. It's a good insentive to get the gig in the first place, because most club owners don't want to pay more money. So when you explain it to them, be sure to re-assure them that when you stay over-time, the Bar (the Owner) no longer has to pay you....the customers will pay for you to stay...."You Pay, I Stay".....and usually by the end of the night they're drunk enough to want to keep going! Also, re-assure the Bar owner that the Bar will continue to make money, too, when they stay! They (the customers) don't go to their jobs and work for free, so why would you want to give away your time and usage of hard earned equipment for free? It may take a little time to establish what you're doing! You could start with $3.00 a song...or whatever you choose.
It works great for me....been doing it for over 10 years....and I've made
a whole lot more money by it! Best of luck to you all!!!!!

[gotrich]

5$ a song.. that 2 beers..LOL I make 100-150 durring the week and 200 on a friday or saturday.

Some bars I hve a scale
100$ if the tape is under 500$
125 if its is under 600
and 150 if its under 1000
and 200 if its over..

on a wek night my avg is 620-660

Its hard enough to ge NW Indiana into karaoke in the smaller towns and this has become hip hop .. play the most discusting song possible area

I seriously have thought of moving

[SteveWalker]

Originally Posted by Debbi

You Pay, I Stay".....!!!!

I've never seen this done in Florida. You must be the only karaoke show in town because where I go the people would leave for the next karaoke show down the street rather than pay for it.

[Debbi]

Hey, I'm from Northwest Indiana, too....I grew up in Gary, Indiana, but been in California since 1974.....Anyways, I know what you mean about Hip Hop, yikes....And for the other post, in Florida....I've been doing Karaoke shows for 17 years and for over 10 years I've established the Pay-to-Play, so all of the customers are use to it. We have alot of Karaoke Bars out here in Southern California, but I think the reason they stay with me is because I'm particular about my sound and I have a hugh song selection, but mostly the sound. I was a singer in a Band in the 80's, so I try to make them all sound like they're in Concert...they like that....it
beats Hokey Pokey Karaoke! They tell me that the other Hosts don't EQ
the sound, or try to make them sound good...whereas I try to make them
sound the best that I can! I have fun with it and I love all of my singers,
they're great people!!!!
Best wishes to you all!!!!!

[alanross]

I think Debbi's idea of pay-to-play is great. What's to lose by trying it. You're in overtime anyway, so if no one wants to pay, you lose nothing. On the other hand, if people do pay, you're already making more than you would have.

I often get people at the end of the night ask me if they can slip me $5 or $10 bucks to do one more song. I've always turned them down because I'm getting too old to keep going longer than four hours (I've been a DJ/KJ for almost 30 years), but for you young'ns out there, this is not a bad idea.

Any time you have an opportunity to increase your revenue with no down side, you'd be silly not to try it.

- Alan

[SteveWalker]

Alan is right, don't be silly, try it!