How Are Economic Changes Effecting Your Karaoke Business At The Start Of 2009?

[bryant]

Originally Posted by RIKKI TIKKI

My current gigs are 4 hrs. ( I have a two hour minimum ). Have never done less than 3 hrs, even though my publicity fliers state that minimum for all gigs.

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

Yes, but are these gigs that you play at , are they every week at the same place and keep your equipment at the place as well?

[RIKKI TIKKI]

Originally Posted by bryant

Yes, but are these gigs that you play at , are they every week at the same place and keep your equipment at the place as well?

I'm Mobile, with setup & tear down every night!

I have found that the change in atmosphere by switching venues increases my base of regular singers, and allows for the show to have fresh faces that wouldn't necessarily travel the 20 +/- miles to the 3 gigs I currently play in!

I base out of Nogales, then travel 20 miles east to Patagonia, or 10 miles north to Rio Rico. Different crowd of regulars in each place, and thus don't allow the show to die due to overkill.

The Nogales gig I've done for 13 years, the Rio Rico gig is a Resort, where I did 3 years at the golf country club, then they asked me to move to the main hotel property where I've been for the past 3 years, for a total of 6 years, and the Patagonia gig is in limbo this month while they are changing ownership and remodeling to increase the size. I took over that show 3 years ago from one of my proteges that left the Karaoke business. I have been lucky enough to have a waiting list built up for the 3 nights that I presently allow myself / Wed-Fri-Sat ( I bowl Mon & Thur - Ha! ), but like I tell them when I contract to them, you've heard the rest, now you have the best! Building the show takes cooperation and commitment from the management and the Karaoke host, and that can only be done over the long haul, and if they are not willing to help me promote, and commit to things that my standards dictate, then I am wasting my time and their money, and the show will not prosper, and neither of us will make money!

You have to sell the sizzle at the beginning, and then be able to back it up by doing all the things that you promised! I feel my longivity has been perpetuated by being honest upfront, and delivering a first class package that allows the venue to make money. Advantage goes to the professional Karaoke host if you don't try to place your shows where they don't belong!

If you can't compete with a Karaoke jukebox - you have chosen the wrong line of work! Did I mention that it is alot of work, and not for the fly by nights, and the thin skinned, or faint of heart?

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by RIKKI TIKKI

Did I mention that it is alot of work, and not for the fly by nights, and the thin skinned, or faint of heart?

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

Amen!

[billyo]

[quote=RIKKI TIKKI;88942]I'm Mobile, with setup & tear down every night!

I have found that the change in atmosphere by switching venues increases my base of regular singers, and allows for the show to have fresh faces that wouldn't necessarily travel the 20 +/- miles to the 3 gigs I currently play in!

I base out of Nogales, then travel 20 miles east to Patagonia, or 10 miles north to Rio Rico. Different crowd of regulars in each place, and thus don't allow the show to die due to overkill.

The Nogales gig I've done for 13 years, the Rio Rico gig is a Resort, where I did 3 years at the golf country club, then they asked me to move to the main hotel property where I've been for the past 3 years, for a total of 6 years, and the Patagonia gig is in limbo this month while they are changing ownership and remodeling to increase the size. I took over that show 3 years ago from one of my proteges that left the Karaoke business. I have been lucky enough to have a waiting list built up for the 3 nights that I presently allow myself / Wed-Fri-Sat ( I bowl Mon & Thur - Ha! ), but like I tell them when I contract to them, you've heard the rest, now you have the best! Building the show takes cooperation and commitment from the management and the Karaoke host, and that can only be done over the long haul, and if they are not willing to help me promote, and commit to things that my standards dictate, then I am wasting my time and their money, and the show will not prosper, and neither of us will make money!

You have to sell the sizzle at the beginning, and then be able to back it up by doing all the things that you promised! I feel my longivity has been perpetuated by being honest upfront, and delivering a first class package that allows the venue to make money. Advantage goes to the professional Karaoke host if you don't try to place your shows where they don't belong!

If you can't compete with a Karaoke jukebox - you have chosen the wrong line of work! Did I mention that it is alot of work, and not for the fly by nights, and the thin skinned, or faint of heart?

if doing karaoke is your main source of income, i could understand, no you can't be thin skinned, but it's not my main source of income, even though i've invested alot on my equipments and to me it's just a hobby, i can't be thick skinned.i can't see myself charging customers to sing

[muzicman144]

I also see a trend of the clubs buying their own systems, (which is cheaper than a pay as you sing jukebox) and either getting a host or doing it themselves, like Mark. A couple of clubs in my area let some of their karaoke singers host for no pay using the house system, and don't seem to have a problem doing it. But, as i said, the professional host who knows how to work a crowd will always find a place to work. This trend is really putting the "pretenders" out of work.
muzicman

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

I also see a trend of the clubs buying their own systems, (which is cheaper than a pay as you sing jukebox) and either getting a host or doing it themselves, like Mark. A couple of clubs in my area let some of their karaoke singers host for no pay using the house system, and don't seem to have a problem doing it. But, as i said, the professional host who knows how to work a crowd will always find a place to work. This trend is really putting the "pretenders" out of work.
muzicman

I too am forced on occasion to let a regular singer stand in for me. They do it without pay, but you get what you pay for. Even though most of the people don't complain too much about the occasional emergency, I am concerned about the people who may only be there for the first time. Without knowing that it is just an emergency use of an available warm body to run the karaoke, it may be their last time here and I would never know it. On the few times I have used someone like that, I am bar tending. I make it a point to get on the mike a couple of times to "thank" this person for getting me out of a tight spot. It makes them feel good about filling in, and lets the customers know that this is only a temporary situation. I couldn't see the economics of using this as a permanent solution. While it would cut the overhead, consistency would suffer. Even if you think you are the greatest entertainer, if you aren't consistent with your singers, your numbers will suffer. Try just changing the color of your pencils and listen to the complaining

Politics aside, this will turn around eventually. You just have to ride it out. Learn to tighten the belt when you need to. There will always be a place for live entertainment. We just have to figure out how to maximize the profit potential in our own areas. I look back on my years as an entertainer and think of all the work I had to put in between shows. Learning new songs, repairing equipment, driving to the next gig, and finding a decent place to stay etc, etc. I'll take this any day of the week.

[billyo]

there are i believed 385 bars in where i'm from, and most of them or all of them has either bands or karaoke's sometimes they have both on diff. days, i know most of the kj's in my area, and i know that 90% of them does karaoke as their main source of income, and sometimes i get a job offers , the first thing i asked was " if they already have someone doing it for them or did they ever have karaoke before, if they said yes on the first question, i would turn it down, i dont take gigs from other kj's and i will give them a # to call, and if no for the second question , then i will do it.. ( i only play for bars/ restaurants that never had karaoke before.)since the economy started going down, we now have an influxed of kj's coming from diff. counties trying to take jobs for less pay ( i get calls from diff. kj's asking me if i ever heard of such and such person , since they know that i've been in this business longer than some of them and knew my reputation)but anyway it's a cut throat world out there right now, and i hope that doing karaoke wont be a thing of the past...

[RIKKI TIKKI]

Originally Posted by billyo

if doing karaoke is your main source of income, i could understand, no you can't be thin skinned, but it's not my main source of income, even though i've invested alot on my equipments and to me it's just a hobby, i can't be thick skinned.i can't see myself charging customers to sing

Billy'O,

You're right about expensive hobbies, and most here would envy your position to play small private parties on weekends, where you get to sing along with your friends! Then you throw in the term customer, and this implies that you are charging something to do these private parties, and thus are charging your clients/customers to sing! Granted it's not the $ jukebox variety that we previously discussed! But....

I hope your hobby fulfills your love to sing and entertain, and have a gathering that is appreciative to have you and your equipments there for their enjoyment!

When the hobbyist tries to come out in a professional atmosphere, and has to compete with the full time KJ's/Dj's, then he enters the lair of lion, and is competing for what the lion requires to exist, and better be prepared to run a little faster than the rest of the herd, or face being swallowed up! (please excuse this analogy, but it was the scenario that seemed to fit!)

This thread pertains to the professional KJ, and how the poor economy is affecting their business!

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

[muzicman144]

Originally Posted by RIKKI TIKKI

Billy'O,


This thread pertains to the professional KJ, and how the poor economy is affecting their business!

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

I believe this thread should not be limited to just KJ/DJ, as there are professional singer/entertainers that use this same MTU software, karaoke tracks, to entertain for pay at the same type of club as the KJ/DJ. We are all affected in this type of economic times.
muzicman

[RIKKI TIKKI]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

I believe this thread should not be limited to just KJ/DJ, as there are professional singer/entertainers that use this same MTU software, karaoke tracks, to entertain for pay at the same type of club as the KJ/DJ. We are all affected in this type of economic times.
muzicman

You are very correct! I was just trying to differentiate between the professional and the hobbyist! This thread pertains to the professional side of entertaining, and the consequences that the poor economy has wreaked upon all of us PROFESSIONAL Hoster users, whether it be KJ/DJ/Singers or....? If you play for pay, then you are competing for the same stage!

Entertaining is the key word! Everybody can entertain someone, even if it's only themselves! The question is whether you want to make a living by only being a KJ/DJ/Singer, or if you have enough juice to do it as a hobbyist, and not make it your only job! There is room for both, as long as you don't disturb the lion! Growl...!!!

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

[billyo]

Originally Posted by RIKKI TIKKI

Billy'O,

You're right about expensive hobbies, and most here would envy your position to play small private parties on weekends, where you get to sing along with your friends! Then you throw in the term customer, and this implies that you are charging something to do these private parties, and thus are charging your clients/customers to sing! Granted it's not the $ jukebox variety that we previously discussed! But....

I hope your hobby fulfills your love to sing and entertain, and have a gathering that is appreciative to have you and your equipments there for their enjoyment!

When the hobbyist tries to come out in a professional atmosphere, and has to compete with the full time KJ's/Dj's, then he enters the lair of lion, and is competing for what the lion requires to exist, and better be prepared to run a little faster than the rest of the herd, or face being swallowed up! (please excuse this analogy, but it was the scenario that seemed to fit!)

This thread pertains to the professional KJ, and how the poor economy is affecting their business!

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

no apology necesary ,i kinda consider my self a pro,i played in a band for 10 yrs. as a guitar player overseas mostly in southeast asia, played big venues djing at hotels, parks,japanese restaurants, company functions the size of an auditoruim ) i used to play (kj )3days a week all over south florida from West Palm Beach to Miami, mostly in West Palm ,and still go to work at my Gov't job during the day, but i never compete with anybody nor i go out looking for work, i get my djing/kj work thru word of mouth and not by putting out flyers or handing out business cards,when i do charged i charge the people that hired me, not the restaurants customer or host/hostess guests.so i think i can ran faster than the herd and i still call this a hobby a very expensive hobby, i call this a hobby caused i dont have to worry if i am going have a gig this week or next week..

[gotrich]

Here it has gotten even worse. than a few years ago. There is so much competition its not funny. With the mills going out and factories closing and moving to Mexico and the general crunch of the economy it sucks. I have 4 sets of equipment. I run 1 and have 3 sub contracted people. I try to charge 150 durring the week for a 9-1(or2) and 200 on a weekend for a show of the same.

I am doing good to offer a 100/ first 4 weeks then 125 on a week day and 150 on a weekend.

Crappy competiton is a big part of it. I care about my customers and want. I am not the get drunk with the crowd, get a BJ in the parking lot, or work for beer kinda guy!

in a small 25 mile radius there are at least 15 guys that I CAN NAME! there are too many guys working for 50$ and free beer.

I also have trouble keeping workers. I use to split the nights pay 50$ me 100$ then but now its been more 25$ me 100$ them or 35/90. they dont like the idea of 25/75 AT ALL.. What am I to do.. more games more gimmicks..that mean more money im out to achieve same results...

[karaokeG]

Hi there my name is Gloria and I do kj/dj shows in Northern Wisconsin. I have been wondering if the bad economy would be hitting me, but so far so good. I play thursdays and fridays at one bar. thursdays usually bring in about 40 people and fridays about 70 to 80. The bar owner says it evens out my pay that way. i charge 175 and 225. My saturdays ( 250} are also booked at different bars in the area. I keep my saturdays open for just this reason. Private parties, graduations, picnics. During the winter it is slower (i only do about about 10 shows a month) but than when summer comes I am busy 3 or 4 nights a week.
I quit doing weddings because that is where I have found the rudest people who do not respect myself or my equipment. There are a number of kj/dj's in my area. I can count about 6 on the top of my head, but the reason I am busy is because...>>>>I made out a survey and passed them around for a couple of months, This is the feedback I got>>>
1) I DO NOT DRINK while I am doing a show I will have 2 soda's and switch to water. (This is the one of the top reasons with the bar owners)
2) I will play 5 hours sometimes even 6 hours (private parties only for the 6 hours but than i charge 300 bucks for a private party) for one price. If the customers are having fun they drink more and dance more so if they stay longer the bar gets more money in the till and I consider it a freebie hour for them,
3) My music both dj and kj will be up to date with the latest songs. I add new karaoke music every two weeks. I have people driving 20+ miles to follow me.
4) I have an huge outgoing personality and can relate to every age. Yeah I am crazy, fun, I also can sing when needed. This was one of the top reasons people come out to visit with me. I do not have favortism with just a few ( you would not believe how many kj do this) everyone is my #1!!!
5) I have 5 WIRELESS mics and hook up to the bars tv's so you can dance around the bar as you sing (or ON the bar) customers love not having to share microphones
6) I have props. wigs, tamborines, handclappers, hats, beads, maracas, guitars, saxaphones and many sound effects. bingo, twister, sassy dice games. Yeah they get
broken or even brought home but oh well
7) This is my only job! I LOVE my job (AND IT SHOWS}
8) My sound system is better than the other kj's in the area.
9) i have a light show. fog machine, cams and 7 other lighting props.

I am not saying that I am the best, but I sure do everything and anything to make everyone feel like they are number one when they come up to sing.
I am 51 years young and this is the most fun I have ever had at a job. IT is also the HARDEST job I have ever had.
visit me at www.myspace.com/glorioke_dj_karaoke and look at some of the crazy pics

[billyo]

Originally Posted by karaokeG

Hi there my name is Gloria and I do kj/dj shows in Northern Wisconsin. I have been wondering if the bad economy would be hitting me, but so far so good. I play thursdays and fridays at one bar. thursdays usually bring in about 40 people and fridays about 70 to 80. The bar owner says it evens out my pay that way. i charge 175 and 225. My saturdays ( 250} are also booked at different bars in the area. I keep my saturdays open for just this reason. Private parties, graduations, picnics. During the winter it is slower (i only do about about 10 shows a month) but than when summer comes I am busy 3 or 4 nights a week.
I quit doing weddings because that is where I have found the rudest people who do not respect myself or my equipment. There are a number of kj/dj's in my area. I can count about 6 on the top of my head, but the reason I am busy is because...>>>>I made out a survey and passed them around for a couple of months, This is the feedback I got>>>
1) I DO NOT DRINK while I am doing a show I will have 2 soda's and switch to water. (This is the one of the top reasons with the bar owners)
2) I will play 5 hours sometimes even 6 hours (private parties only for the 6 hours but than i charge 300 bucks for a private party) for one price. If the customers are having fun they drink more and dance more so if they stay longer the bar gets more money in the till and I consider it a freebie hour for them,
3) My music both dj and kj will be up to date with the latest songs. I add new karaoke music every two weeks. I have people driving 20+ miles to follow me.
4) I have an huge outgoing personality and can relate to every age. Yeah I am crazy, fun, I also can sing when needed. This was one of the top reasons people come out to visit with me. I do not have favortism with just a few ( you would not believe how many kj do this) everyone is my #1!!!
5) I have 5 WIRELESS mics and hook up to the bars tv's so you can dance around the bar as you sing (or ON the bar) customers love not having to share microphones
6) I have props. wigs, tamborines, handclappers, hats, beads, maracas, guitars, saxaphones and many sound effects. bingo, twister, sassy dice games. Yeah they get
broken or even brought home but oh well
7) This is my only job! I LOVE my job (AND IT SHOWS}
8) My sound system is better than the other kj's in the area.
9) i have a light show. fog machine, cams and 7 other lighting props.

I am not saying that I am the best, but I sure do everything and anything to make everyone feel like they are number one when they come up to sing.
I am 51 years young and this is the most fun I have ever had at a job. IT is also the HARDEST job I have ever had.
visit me at www.myspace.com/glorioke_dj_karaoke and look at some of the crazy pics

i'm not sure if i can do what youre doing, i dont remember doing a gig whether i'm djing or kjing without having some liquid courage, most of the time people will buy or bring me drinks, especially when i get them to dance all night..i too quit doing weddings, it's very easy to do, easy money. i just don't like programs, i dont like it when they give you a list of songs that they wanted and change it after you have all the songs on your playlist ready... i have a big truss lighting system but i only use them on big venues, thats a lot of setting up and tear down, hope you have someone helping you, and i hope you don't bring 'em to all the karaoke shows that you do, thats a lot of set up and tear down..i never thought of bringing or using any props...

[karaokeG]

I do all the set up and tearing down on my own and haul it into my trailer. But I do admit some of my Glorioke Groupies will come early (kudos to Krytal) and help me unload my trailer. I do not need liquid courage. haha i can belt out a tune anywhere anytime with or withour music hahahaha. Oh and yes I do bring my lights most the time. I do not bring them when i do a day party outside no sense in that! IT is a pain, My trailer is long enough that I just leave some lights on my bar than i have a big industrial wrap to put around them.So far that is working out pretty good. I have been thinking of relocating because these winters up here in the nort woods are pretty long and cold. But after what I have been reading lately maybe I should just stick around here. I am thankful that I do have a job. Good Luck everyone!!!!

[billyo]

Originally Posted by karaokeG

I do all the set up and tearing down on my own and haul it into my trailer. But I do admit some of my Glorioke Groupies will come early (kudos to Krytal) and help me unload my trailer. I do not need liquid courage. haha i can belt out a tune anywhere anytime with or withour music hahahaha. Oh and yes I do bring my lights most the time. I do not bring them when i do a day party outside no sense in that! IT is a pain, My trailer is long enough that I just leave some lights on my bar than i have a big industrial wrap to put around them.So far that is working out pretty good. I have been thinking of relocating because these winters up here in the nort woods are pretty long and cold. But after what I have been reading lately maybe I should just stick around here. I am thankful that I do have a job. Good Luck everyone!!!!

wow! you probably go to your gigs about 2 hrs. early, if your setting up everything you have, it takes me about 1/2 hr. to set up and tear down my gears, most of my stuff are in a custom built case, all i have to do is set up my speakers and plug them into my board..im in so. fla, it gets cold ( in my opinion anyway )about 2 weeks out of the year

[bryant]

Originally Posted by billyo

wow! you probably go to your gigs about 2 hrs. early, if your setting up everything you have, it takes me about 1/2 hr. to set up and tear down my gears, most of my stuff are in a custom built case, all i have to do is set up my speakers and plug them into my board..im in so. fla, it gets cold ( in my opinion anyway )about 2 weeks out of the year

Sheesh, All my gigs are within a mile radius of each other and less than a mile from my home, have 5 this week, at three of them the equipment is permanently installed and use their microphones, too.

The other two have my equipment there on a regular basis and no one else plays on stage except us. I usually arrive 15 minutes before the show, sometimes walk from home, and start 5 minutes early, and am home by 12:30 or 1 am. Usually make between 150 and 200 a night in Central Maine where you can get a rent for 300 a month and still buy a beer for less than a dollar. We feel we're sort of lucky too. And we both have regular jobs that pay good salaries and pay all our insurances (medical, dental, vision, etc). We believe Hoster made this all possible for us.