Karaoke Forums

Well I find myself suddenly unemployed and I'm considering taking my Karaoke/DJ thing full time. Right now I do only two nights a week at a tiny bar. I don't make a whole lot of money doing it, however I've been telling myself since I started that I should quit my job and give this a shot. Well since my employer made the choice for me I'm thinking of going for it. I have a catalog now of about 4000 songs and a very high quality setup, JBL Mackie BBE and the like, and I guess I'm looking for advice, suggestions, or whatever. Especially if you have gone through a similar situation yourself. Thanks Guys.

I Too am Unemployed now, and will be concidering this a full time Occupation, at least for a while. I have concentrated my efforts an contacting club owners, and through the internet and other venues, am working on adding at least 1 more night a week for now, possibly 2.

I hope it works out well for you, and hope it at least subsidizes your income, as it has mine.

Michael & Sharon

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IN-TYME KARAOKE Charlotte, NC
Just Sing Or Shut Up

good luck and dont drink , dont do drugs, be on time, have a fair rotation, get a following, play ANYWHERE ( to start off ) and never ever lose your humility.

My son and I ventured into the KJ business about 3 months ago in the Rockford Illinois area. We did a few gigs for free at first, to gain experience and to get our foot in the door at a couple of nice places.

We did our first paying gig 9 weeks ago. We are now doing 4 nights a week, and next week we start a fifth night. This is due in large part to my son's agressive searching for work, and his talent as a KJ. I am an early retiree and work more as a support person, taking care of the rotation, etc. a couple nights a week (I live about 60 miles from Rockford, and can't be there every night). He works a full time job, and works his buns off at this business.

We have been told by many that our shows are the best around. We have great equipment, great sound and a great KJ. We have about 4000 songs also.

The bottom line is that you CAN do this full time, but you have to be agressive in searching for work. Do follow all the advice given by Metalgod in the previous post here. Don't work too cheap. Hopefully your area will pay around $200 per night.

As an added comment.....this business is a LOT of HARD WORK! It probably looks like easy money to people watching, but a normal 4 hour gig turns into about an 8 hour marathon, considering setting up, tearing down and traveling.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

While I'm not diputing that an aggressive advertising campaign will get you business, I've found that the softly softly approach is much better.

If THEY ask YOU to come and work for them, you are in a much better position to set your own rates and you're not treading on anybody's toes.

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Imagine!

While I think there is great opportunity to develop of full-time bar schedule, personally, I don't think the market around here pays enough to make a decent living off of karaoke bar work. Maybe it's not so saturated with undercutters and the like elsewhere.

You may be able to improve that situation if you can book steady mobile DJ work as well (e.g., Saturday weddings), or possibly expand systems and take on others (independent contractors, not employees) to job for you. Just my $.02.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

I'm not sure that Tymzdad really meant "advertising", as in out promoting yourself, flyers, newspaper ads, etc. It's more like this...........don't walk into a club that you normally never go to, drop off a card, tell them how great you are, and go home waiting for them to call. Familiarity (both ways) will go a long ways to the club owner or manager giving you a shot at some business.

We went to a club, spent a few nights there (patronizing - not drinking water), and then approached them. All other business for us has come off of referral, or from other club owners coming in on Thursday nights to see what the buzz is all about. Last night, we counted roughly 180 people still there at 12:30am. Anybody can hold a "crowd" from 9-11pm, but what are you doing to keep them there until last call (or close to it - if your work hours take you that late)? That's where you can really show some value to the club. Have them making money, when the place would normally be emptying out. That gives you leverage.

Just get a chance to show what you can do, and let the business roll in from there. 4-5 nights a week is not that difficult to book.

Build it, and they will come..........

Good luck!

I would recomend that you first come up with a price that you would do a 5hr. gig for. Then add $25-$50 to this amount, (this varies depending upon the size of your show, the size of the club, and what you think you're worth). Use this as an initial asking amount when you negotiate a 4hr. gig.
Every bar/club owner wants a deal, so you can easily drop $25-$50, or add an hr. to your show, or do both and still make your min. gig price. Since you'll be in this for the money, I would offer more time first, and a decrease in price second. I would not suggest that you offer both for a Fri. or Sat. night. I MAY consider this if it is an offer made by the bar/club owner, but then traveling time and enviorment becomes an issue.
Fri. and Sat. nights are prime time, and once you book for a low price you're stuck with it.

I would also recomend that you at LEAST double, (or even triple), your price for weddings.

Do not EVER book a wedding without a written contract!

Finally, I would recomend that you invest a few dollars in a tax planner.

Good Luck!
Kojak