Karaoke Forums

When quoting prices for private gigs, do you charge only for actual hours of karaoke? Or do you charge for set-up and tear-down times as well? As a one man operation, I average about an hour set-up time and half-hour tear-down time. Also, what do y'all normally charge for private gigs for a residence, not any company type stuff?

My prices are pretty flexible - I advertise a straight fee for individual bookings based on performance hours - set-up time is included. From that I may discount based on any number of factors, including distance, non-profit groups, referrals, Chamber of Commerce halls, and the like. If it's for a friend or customer from a bar gig, that's usually discounted as well. Set-up and tear-down (lights, karaoke and anything else) are included regardless, but informally they are a consideration for sure, especially if there are stairs or other known obstacles (downtown gigs with parking or elevator hassles and fees come to mind - definitely require a premium).

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Pretty much the same here as Marty.. but no less than $100.00 an hour and it goes sharply up from there depending the demands of the show or clientelle. I have also been known to do charity fund raisers and not charge a dime for my time or my KJ's time if they so agree. and pay my KJ and thier expenses out of my pocket. BUT, I have ALSO had shows run as high as $600,000.00 in the last 2 months. With using our own A/V Techs and Equipment (Before a recient Sale and Re-alignment of some of equipment & Transfer of personnel to another company that works with us.) But Summer for us, brings larger shows outdoors and a little slower club season... so The clock will tick and we get some down time to maintain the equipment a little...

...And SING!

It's been a GREAT year so far. Minus a few problems...
But who's counting?

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I feel when quoting fees for any private party you need to establish YOUR minimum for time and effort, then go from there . Like Marty said there are many variables to consider when looking at private parties.
$100+ per hour minimum is not to crazy ..... think about time & distance and effort (stairs location etc.)

yeah, when you're bringing everything, and have to set it all up and tear it all down and then leave with it... it's a lot of wear and tear on the equipment and yourself!

I do a three hour minimum, and minimum price for a private party is $100 per hour!

I have a reunion gig at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. I have a feeling its gonna be a beeyotch getting in and out. One elevator and numerous gigs going off. Its a hundred an hour but i'm gonna charge i grand for 7 hour gig. I've heard its at least 2 hours for set up and tear down. Should I charge even more??? Any so.cal locals let me know what you think.

A hundred bucks an hour would be great. However, just starting out, I won't get that where I work. I've done a couple of private gigs now for $50 an hour and believe $75 an hour might be more appropriate. Until I get any kind of following, I just have no chance of charging any more yet.

Believe it or not, I've already lost a couple club gigs because they thought I charged too much. I don't think $125 for a five-hour club gig is too much. But there are other guys who don't have a clue how to run a show, but will do it for almost nothing just to get out of the house for the night. Then there's another guy in town whose show isn't near as good as mine, nor his sound or equipment. But he managed to be in the right place at the right time and now he's getting $175 for a five-hour club gig. The club I'm working at now won't give pay any more than $10 bucks an hour, AND I have to pay for drinks. This being a club I actually helped put together! I'm still doing it though because I need to start somewhere and build some type of a following before moving on to bigger better things. Man this is frustrating!

Mustang: You started out asking about "private gigs" which I would still say $75/HR should be the least amount . $100 per hour is standard and it goes up from there depending on what 'extras" you bring to the party .

Bar gigs are a differant animal altogether and price per hour depends on
size - number of nights - contract - etc.

$150 for a 4 hr steady gig ..average ?

$150/4 hrs seems to be pretty much standard in SE Michigan.

I am repeating myself...
My bar gigs start at $100.00/ hour... DEPENDING ON THE EVENT...
Private gigs you definately charge 4-6 times that an hour if you can get it. and definately try to upsell your services.

If you have something that nobody else has.. that is the occasion to show it.

Otherwise you'll be just another KJ in the crowd.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

It's not uncommon in the Boston area to get a minimum of $150-$175 for a 4hr club gig, and to get a 4hr minimun for private gigs with a $175 ph attached to the minimum. I've been fortunate that I'm fed and my first six beers are on them(club owners)!! When you start showing a possible client that you're afraid to ask what YOU think you're worth, 9 out of 10 times, a savvy businessman/woman, will pick up on that and talk you into doing more for less. That makes the situation even more frustrating because you're doing a job for less and you know it, but can't back out after you agreed to THEIR price without hurting your reputation. BOTTOM LINE......NEVER settle for less than you think your worth. If you're not happy with the figure, walk away, graciously, but walk away.

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It's a wonderful life!!

Find out what your competition is charging per hour, $100 per hour is fair in most places. I am in rural Ohio.

I know my competition DJ charges $255 for 3 hours and i thing $325 for 4 hours...... My selling point is my prices are all inclusive. I include the Karaoke, Lights, Fog, Bubble machine (for grand enterence and first dance); PLUS A DJ and an assistant. My competition charges extra for it.

When doing a private party like a wedding, it is ALL ABOUT TRUST, and negative vibe you throw out will cause a major ripple in the trust of the client, you mus be prepared for any question, and situation.

I get $100/hr in the county, and charge more for the distance and PITA facotrs (stairs, long walk from door, hard setups)

NEVER EVER quote a price till you have the following info
DATE/TIME
Venue location, i make an on-site inspection if i don't know the venue
# of guests (so you know if 2 speakers are going to be enough)
What they want
Event Type, is it a wedding, graduation party, etc....



HOLY COW!!!! so for a 5 hour show you make $50..... $50 will get sombody a boom-box karaoke player and TV, and a 100 song selection... THEY COULD NOT RENT A KARAOKE SYSTEM THIS CHEAP

Start getting a mailing list together of your regulars, keep this list to yourself, and use it when you go calling on other places... get a few gigs outside of the club at other clubs, if you regulars follow you, then go back to club 1 and say "I DEMAND A RAISE" you have a following, and make sure you let them know that they can be back to slow nights again if they like

I know a firend who took ALL of his regulars to his new venue, and the new venue is glad to have that $$$, drove by old venue at 11pm (when it should be hoppin), and there were 4 cars in the parking lot, as opposed to the entire lot being full, and the one across the street being full too

When you say "drinks" are you talking beer, or are you talking soda.... Sorry I don't pay for soda, i will either bring in a large bottle of water, or ask to be provided with a pitcher of soda or tea..... this costs the venue next to nothing, and i can guarentee the bartender drinks for free

Well Marty,
I have to agree with Captain Midnight's point when he pointed out that where you're working makes YOU pay for your drinks, AND they're only paying $50.00 for the gig. Christ, I coud buy one round for my "Special Singers" and that fifty would be gone and then I'd be working for nothing. Not trying to be a jerk, but it seems your heart is in the right place, but unfortunately for you, your friends hearts are in YOUR pocket. Save yourself some MORE frustration and either demand a SUBSTANTIAL raise and get it, or walk. If they TRULY were your friends, they would not have "dope slapped you" with that RIDICULOUS $50.00 and You pay for your own drinks crap.
If that was EVER tried around here, the owners would get a "wake-up call" that some people wouldn't/couldn't imagine. There's a pretty tight knit group of dj/kj's in this area and for the most part, when it come to owners such as you described, they really "get the business"!!
So my friend, stick to your guns and remember, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR WORTH!!!!
GOOD LUCK,

DONNY "B"8)

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It's a wonderful life!!

The one thing ya gotta watch out for too.. is alot of bar owners know each other too.. and that could present a problem if ya shake the tree the wrong way.. I have gotten alot of great referrals from within bar owners.
for installs of sound gear. or A/V systems for Multi-screen equipment.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I agree with BeachHeadBum, BUT, even the Bar owners themselves know who is and isn't giving a "square deal" to DJ's, KJ's, any of their employees. I find it amazing that even the owners frown on "one of their own" stiffin' an individual just trying to make a reasonable wage for his/her services. Again, it comes down to being confident about yourself, your system, and your abilities. If you recognize that, a savvy businessperson will pick up on that also. In ANY aspect of business, that spells results, and that equalls MONEY!!!! For the owner and most importantly, YOU!!!. Soooo.......again, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR WORTH!!
Have a great day and go get that raise,

Donny "B"

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It's a wonderful life!!