Karaoke Forums

This afternoon at 3:30.
I put it off until now for a few reasons, one being that I didn't want him to think I'm too eager, and another to get some advice on the whiole thing. My BF is in total agreement with my demands and tells me not to bend.
One other reason I don't want to do another night is because I simply don't want to. I have two other gigs coming up in my own town and I really don't want to commit to too much. I want to be able to tuck my little one into bed at least ONE night a week!
So even down the road, it's not likely that I will do a second night.

My negotiating for Karaoke is fairly simple; It's free!

I have experience in Collective Bargaining Agreements, Marketing, Sales, etc. The general rule is that whoever names the price first is the loser. When you talk to the owner again make it seem that you are remotely interested and tell him straight up that you want more for the gig. Ask him what he is willing to pay, when he answers add $50-75 dollars to his starting offer. Then negotiate from there. I'm guessing that his first offer will be $25 more than he was paying before. It gives you a place to start.

As far as your other demands: If he is willing to pay more then I'd say he is willing to accept those terms. They are straight forward and not a lot to change with them.

You may have problems with the long term contract but I think you could counter with a three month deal. Being fair, the owner should have an out if the gig is not producing additional revenue. But who would be the judge of that?

During your negotiation's you need to sell the fact that revenue will offset your costs. Can you provide solid estimations about attendance from the time you first started till the time you quit? Let's say an additional 20 people a night at Approx. 3 drinks per person at $4 dollars per drink = $240 dollars increased revenue. Don't forget that the 20 people will provide positive verbal advertising for the bar. Sell yourself as a way to increase the revenue! Don't be scared to use a spreadsheet to predict revenue increases. Hell, print off a sales packet portfolio, place it in a three ring binder that outlines your charges, your conditions for employment, the revenue predictions, other services you offer, and any other ala carte things you may want to add.

Unfortunately, It's not about you. It's about da money honey!

Show him da money and you'll get what you want.

Good Luck

Basement:

Excellent negotiating advice!

Diafel:

There's more to my point about avoiding this SOB than personalities. Generally speaking, it's difficult to get any type of binding contract as local entertainment. Since you're not likely to get any contract or, if you do, the contract won't be worth the paper it's written on --- my advice was simply to steer clear of this guy because I don't think you'll ever be happy working for him.

Sure, you may believe you gotten your wishes fulfilled in the short term. But in the long term a person such as he will renege as soon as it suits him. So, what will you really have accomplished with your negotiations?

While Babs, others and myself await to hear how everything went, even if he agreed to your terms you will not be a "winner". Sorry. That's just my humble opinion

To me, even if I get only a few weeks in, it will be enough to see my regulars again, and the extra cash after Christmas won't hurt either.

So I had my brief meeting today and it went something like this:
Me: (Smiles) Happy New Year
Him: Happy New year. (smiles)
Him: You karaoke Tuesday and Thursday.
Me: I'm not available Tuesdays. I only have Thursday available.
Him: Ok. You gonna host same and we no more have contest like before.
Me: Ok That's good. You don't need that anyway. People will come for the karaoke.
(I'm thinking: Great! - It was a real downer last time when he ran this "contest", supposedly on talent then gave the win of $1000 to the guy who owed him a bunch of money who had ZERO talent.)

Him: we gonna give a drink to people who sing. But no water drinkers taking up seats.
Me: Well the water drinkers are your department. It's nothing to do with me. If you don't want them there, then you have to take care of that.
Him: Ok so $175.
Me: Oh, no, I need $250
Him: Oh no. Last time you get that one maybe two weeks and then we stop over Christmas.
ME: Well that was before. My price has gone up. What's your bottom line?
Him: Well $200
Me: Well I'll tell you what. I'll go $225. That's my bottom line.
Him: Too much.
Me: I get $250 in my own town and I don't have to drive.
Him: Wait a mintue.
(He leaves to go consult with his wife and returns in about a minute and a half.)
Him: $200 bottom line.
Me: I need $225. That's my bottom line.
Him: Ok I gonna call you.
Me: Ok.
I leave and now I'm awaiting his call. My BF is sure he will call in a couple of days, as am I. I've already proven my worth and he knows it or he wouldn't have called me back. He's just trying to get the cheapest price. Good on him for trying, though.
If he doesn't call me, my feelings won't be terrible hurt. I don't relish the half hour drive in the winter anyway.

BTW HE named the price first!
(Great tip, Basement. Thanks.)

Update:
He literally just called.
He offerred me $210
I countered with $225 or $210 if my drinks are included.
Silly fool should have taken the drinks because I really don't drink much and would have cost him less.
I have my price and I start next Thursday.
Thanks guys! I'll keep you posted.

Diafel


Congrats!

"You da' man", so to speak

And if doing the gig for just a few weeks is fine, then you've got nothing much to lose.
Surely, if it lasts for any length of time it appears that you'll feel like you'll benefit.

I love it ! Way to stick to your price !

Did he sign a contract for 6 months?

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I didn't get the contract... never got that far. I assessed the situation on the fly and determined it would be a deal breaker, so I just didn't bother to bring it up and I take it day to day. I did get the agreement that there would be no more of his biased "contests", though, which I forgot to mention in my original post. If I trade that off for the contract, I'm happy.
I will count on nothing as far as the gig being there next week. As long as I look it that way, I will be happy no matter what. I know the staff and all my singers are ecstatic. The staff in particular. They miss the good tips they used to get.

I worked for a company as a tech for video games pinballs jukeboxes and dart boards. We were a member of the AMOA and as a standard practice signed a contract with each bar. However those contracts were not worth the paper they were written on. Most dealings always depended upon PR and verbal statements.

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OK so besides him meeting your $225 price did you get the other goodies too such a sub when you are sick, 6 month contract etc or just give into the money?

L.W.

Originally, what I wanted , as stated in my first post, was one night (Thursdays) only, a 6 month contract, the ability to sub if necessary, and a pay raise. As stated in my previous post, I didn't get the contract but I did get something much more important. I got no more of his lame biased contests that turned everyone off and made them angry. That, in and of itself is far more important. We all know what "contests" really are - favoritism vehilcles. Not my bag. I hated it ,when he did them, and refused to be a part of it other than running the music. I even advised him against continuing it after the last one finished because it was such a gong show and people were really angry at the end result.
Yes, I got the subs but he knows that is really a minor issue. He was just throwing a tantrum back then. I only wanted it mentioned so as to be absolutely clear to him on the subject. I mean, really... what's he gonna do if I end up in the hospital again? Come drag me out?
I also have my one night only. I simply told him my only night available was Thursdays so he had no choice but to work with that or not at all. It was really a non issue.
But the most important thing I got is my weekly visit with the staff and my regulars!

Now we get to negotiate with you for commission, huh?

It seems like you came out ahead. I also like the no contract part as you have as much right to walk as he has to fire you. Everyone is on even terms.

Being an optimist it's like this: You do your job good = owner makes money = owner treats you good = you want to continue working. Everyone is happy and you have done your part to help the struggling global economy!

Good Job!

I am so glad I found this forum it has been helpful to read other peoples negotiations , the bar I KJ at recently changed hands and the new owner from another culture called me in after one month and said he wanted to pay me $75 !!! I live on an island of about 4500 people and sometimes it can be slow even on karaoke night, but that is ridiculous.....I said I needed at least 140 and he said 100 bottom line.I said I would think about it. I know i was an awful negotiator but I was totally caught by surprise as the previous owner paid me 205 for the 3 years previous and this was my first and only gig. I was so shocked by new O's cheapness and had no idea how to handle it.
Now another bar is re-opening on the island and has asked to meet me this week ! I would like to do both, they may affect eachother, they may not......they want different nights.....any thoughts?