I guess I would fall 'somewhat' into that category. Our bar has let themself go down to the point that many regulars have left due to bartender changes (customers claiming underpouring), that the only ones that DO come in are coming in strictly because I am there. If not, they'd be wherever else I would be (which they have stated). However on the flip side I still believe in trying to generate new business in any manner possible, so in that respect, no I don't fit.
I am the first one to admit that the days of following a host are long gone simply because there are so many other options anymore. But there are some that still follow particular hosts for one reason or another - beit sound system quality, they have (or will get) the songs they want to sing, or simply they like the host and will follow them (again rare anymore).

Either way, in the grand scheme of things, I don't really organically grow attendence to my show, but I pretty much maintain it, and seem to always replace defectors with new attendees. If anything, mmy average attendence is down about 10-15% from 2002-2004 levels, but I still cost much less than I generate for the bar, which should be every KJ and bar owner's main concern.

I think it has to be a team approach. I don't expect the bar to do all of the work and then I just show up. But it doesn't work any better when the bar expects that I will do all of the work while they sit back waiting for a miracle.

Although I may be working for a venue it is still my own separate business so I promote it not just to bar owners but to the patrons. But I can't do magic if a bar is clueless and is just throwing karaoke hosts at the wall hoping something will stick. The bar has to have a plan for attracting and keeping patrons, too, and ideally both parties would be sharing strategies.

What I am referring to are those KJs ( not Karaoke Hosts) who feel they should get paid to press play, and don't feel they should have to generate more income- not only to cover their pay, but to add profits for the venue.

It"s all about KEEPING BUTTS IN THE SEATS. Our job as KJ/DJ's is to keep the crowds engaged having fun, dancing, singing, chattering, getting sweaty and thirsty AND BUYING MORE DRINKS. If you can't do those basic things, then the crowd will disappear by 11pm losing BIG CHUNKS OF REVENUE for the bar. As to bringing crowds, no matter now much Facebook, paper ads etc, you do, you alone can only do so much. If the bar itself does not have a built in crowd and reputation for being a "COOL" place to be and has all the things associated with that (Excellent customer service, friendly bar staff, good prices, good food and drinks, safe and clean setting) then you will not hold a crowd ALL EVENING LONG(like for 5 hours) no matter how hard YOU TRY, and the bar will lose big money and eventually fail. You can only do so much and you alone CANNOT SAVE a failing bar that does not make the effort to meet these minimums.

Smooth wrote:"Also, our town has an overzealous police force who like to make arrests, so people are afraid to drive here."
Always someone else's fault. I guess people there haven't heard of taxis or designated drivers.

"Also, our town has an overzealous police force who like to make arrests, so people are afraid to drive here."

Always someone else's fault. I guess people there haven't heard of taxis or designated drivers.