Karaoke Forums

First of all thanx to everyone for all your great input and feedback on so many facets of the karaoke business.(insert applause here) I am lucky to have found this site.(even more applause) I was wondering: besides word of mouth and maybe an ad in local yellow pages, what have you found to be the most effective way to get the business?
I have many friends in the local karaoke scene who I can send out to all the clubs in my area to be my " Special Events Coordinators". (fancy title huh?) I have talked to several local favorite lacations for receptions and the like and so far have gotten a great response. I have yet to find a place that already has any connections to offer karaoke at functions in their facilities... Anyway just wanted to get an idea of what everyone else has found to be the most effective way to grow their business.

Be ready to crossover your services as a DJ and sell that services.. and Advertizing is not cheap or free when you are competing against bands..

Be ready to spend some money to get those shows.
Also.. try to keep that show as upscale as possible, and NEVER give it away!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I don't know how big you are planning to go, but it seems to me that the best way to get business is to

A) Run a quality show that people will want to attend
B) Knock on a lot of doors to tell venue owners about your quality show.

You've got to have a good pitch explaining why your karaoke show is better than joe blow's show. Even then, it often comes down to money....

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

Personally I don't care for yellow pages. It takes a good amount of business to make up the cost. Unless you're in it big time, its a lot of money. Ya might wanna check with a couple local wedding coordinators, Chamber of commerce, etc. They have a lot of people they deal with to coordinate parties and functions. Maybe some business cards on boards at some local clubs, stores etc. One other idea would be to stop by the local high schools and leave some cards with (and talk to) the activites coordinator. They are usually familiar with all the booster clubs etc. that will be having the end of year parties and functions.

We've been doing stuff with a local radio station that has added up to a bunch of mentions about our service and our web address. The daily hits have gone up and the attendance at my shows have increased.

First, register for any free web advertising you can! I have booked a number of parties, and my new gig thru free internet ads on freedj dot com and other sites.

I also tried something new, I searched for large DJ companies in my area using those same sites, and saw if they offerred karaoke. Surprisingly, not all did. I emailed those that didn't, and so far have gotten a pretty positive response. I don't know if I'm getting a raw/good deal, but they told me a 50/50 split was normal for a subcontract job.

Brian, any insights on this?

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

Email me

As long as it's worth your time & the pay is decent, go for it. Got to look at it in other ways. Would you have a job that day otherwise? If not, how much would you be making (ZIP). Can you get regular work from this contractor? They will most likely have a non-compete clause you'll need to agree with as well - meaning you can't work for any of the places he booked you at on your own & work under their name for the event at hand. Are you willing to do that?
If the answers are favorable, then go for it. I've done sub contract karaoke work for many dj companies & get paid well, & have got some regular private gigs out of it as well.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I've visited many a web-site of KJ on this site and others and I'm close to investing some cash to build and host a site I just wanted to know from the KJ's who have sites for awhile if they think they are worth the time and money ? Do they assist in finding and keeping SHOWS or are they more for private and corporate parties? Di your regular singers check out your site for pics and specials ?

I have acquired private shows on occasion through the site. Sold many pieces of equipment that I wasn't using anymore. But mostly it's for my regulars & people coming to the shows. They can look up their songs online & print slips at home to fill out ahead of time. The photo galleries are always something people like to see. Hey that's me!!!!!
The online books are always updated as far as incorporation so I get regs that will print the newest version of the book. In the clubs, there is only updates in the front until next printing that will incorporte all of those.
Among other things.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I've had a couple of sites up but really never got much response from them. I get better results by using Dj search engines like dj.com/directcatering.com/etc. (Just do a search to find them)
There is usually a free trial period and then a fee either per gig booked, lead given or a flat rate per month.

Doing benefits has gotten bookings as people that you normally wouldn't see at a bar get to see your performance.

Networking with fellow employees, vendors, service people or anyone you come into contact with also helps.

As far as paper advertising I wouldn't waste my money.

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Listen for your name, don't put up a song for someone else,no twirling the mic's, and sing for the fun of it!