Karaoke Forums

A bit unusual I know but I am.

Do any of you here regard (offering yourself as a host to a venue that already has a host for twice the fee their current host is charging) as poaching?
Could it in any way be classed as poor practice?
Thank you in anticipation.

What reason would a bar pay you twice the price? They may just see it as trolling.

Nope, it is business

You probably won't get the gig, AND you will make an enemy.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

it's business, if they venue hire's you then the host they had must not be doing a good enough job.

I walk into a place a they all know I run karaoke, if the owner wants me to replace another host that's great for me!

and I have no problems with that. and you shouldn't either.

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It's all good!

How do they all know you run Karaoke? Do you wear a sign? Perhaps you carry your equipment in with you.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Perhaps he lives in a small town "Where Everybody Knows Your Name."

I've heard of going in under the current rate but never over the current rate (or at least that is a rarity). Business is business, however if you go in for cheaper you damn well better be able to produce the same (preferably better) results. Going in for a lower rate and not knowing what you are doing is sure death. I've experienced that first hand!

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

For those who think it's wrong to "poach" a gig, how much do you want to bet that Pepsi would love to poach Coke's contract with McDonald's. Competition happens all the time in business with companies trying to get another companys' business.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

its a slippery slope...

Regulars are likely to be loyal to previous host... And in today's world of social media you'd be a huge target of discussion.

It's better to let the owners make a move on their own. Letting them know you are available should they need you is one thing, but poaching is often dangerous unless the customers are clamoring for a change...

Host loyalty isn't as common as it once was. If a club has karaoke & people like the club, it wouldn't matter who they had in for host, people would still come to the club. A handful might follow the host to another show. It isn't like the 90's when there wasn't a whole lot of choices and if you wanted karaoke, you had to stay with certain hosts.

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The times I boomed, there were great bartenders. Every time things dropped off, there were crappy bartenders. I'm not gonna say it's all about the bar service\quality, but I will say even the best host is going to have a tough time if people aren't getting what they want and when they want it from the bar.

I had an offer from a bar before where I got more then the current host. Not double though.

And just FYI, I was called by them, I did not make the first move on this gig. Even though a few of you think it is okay to offer your service to places that already have Karaoke and it's just business, I don't concur with this.

I just think it's tacky and gives you a bad reputation even though there might be nothing wrong with it. This spreads quite fast in the local Karaoke scene. That's why I stay away from places that already have a Karaoke night,

Now if they approach me because of word of mouth etc. then it's a different story.

I like your approach better. In my area, I know most of the other KJs. We go to each other's shows, and are friends. I couldn't picture myself going to another show and trying to take it from the current host. To me that is a bit slimy. I don't know, maybe if you don't know the other KJ and have never had any dealings with him/her, but if you know each other it's just kind of low. They need to eat, too.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Some pitch taking on other nights, just to get their foot in the door.

Same here, we (KJ's) pretty much know each other and help each other out (covering gigs) etc. I just don't want that kind of reputation on my sleeve.
To add, when I do get approached by a venue that already offers Karaoke, I always try to contact the existing KJ, too. Just to see what the story is.
And they do the same thing the other way around.
It's just better in my opinion to stick together instead of cutting each other's throat. Helps with the pricing too by the way...

Same here, we (KJ's) pretty much know each other and help each other out (covering gigs) etc. I just don't want that kind of reputation on my sleeve.
To add, when I do get approached by a venue that already offers Karaoke, I always try to contact the existing KJ, too. Just to see what the story is.
And they do the same thing the other way around.
It's just better in my opinion to stick together instead of cutting each other's throat. Helps with the pricing too by the way...[/quote]
Some will say that you can't be a real business person without being a cut throat arse. .

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

You know, I used to be that way too until I had several places that I didn't contact because they had an existing show. Next thing I know, they have a new host and I'm still not the one with it. Every other business in the world competes for business, what the heck is sacred about a DJ or karaoke gig? That's ridiculous not to try and grow your business just because somebody already has a venue. What will you do? Wait until they get fired or die to free the venue up...

I used to have a personal policy of walking away from clubs where there was already a karaoke program. Now, if I believe they are pirating materials I will go ahead and make a pitch. I leave legit hosts alone. Hard enough for people to stay employed these days without people trying to take gigs away.

-Chris

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-Chris

I'm not one to screw my friends. I have sung at most of the shows in the area. I am close friends with a few of the KJs in the area, and one I do fill-ins for. Just not going to screw any of them out of a job. That is what is sacred.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE