Karaoke Forums

What is the best thing you have had a bar owner or manager do to help ypu promote and build karaoke at a venue?

I'm sure we all have run in to the lucky situation where the person in charge says "What do you need from me?" Now we may not always get it, but I for one would like to know what has worked at some of these places you have been at that are successful!

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

The club I work now has done advertising, they have bought me several discs (of course songs they wanted people to sing) to add to the book over the years.  I had a player die, they gave me an advance to replace.  When other companies come in inquiring about running karaoke - they direct them to me & tell them if they can convince me that I need replacing & I agree, they are hired. This actually happened 2 times now.  Could have been the mood they were in not wanting to deal with them at the time, because i'm sure more companies have tried than that, I just thought it was funny.
I asked them originally if they could put lights over the dance floor - they went and bought a couple thousand dollars worth.
I asked for extra outlets installed with separate circuit breakers for the amp rack & the rest of the gear in my karaoke booth (which they gave me from their old store counters - work out great, no table set up), they had the outlets & breakers ran & installed.  Since i'm 7 nights there, they allowed me to hardwire everything ie  video cabling, speaker cabling.
That's just some of the things they do/have done for me.

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

Well, the last bar owner(s) did to let me keep my rig in the bar instead of hauling it out every week (I have enough other equipment for multiple gigs), so it became essentially a “briefcase gig” for me, which was really nice.  I was there a couple of years.

Of course, I was cutting them a break on the second night (Fri/Sat) to help them build up their business, so it was in their best interest.  

By the time they were done offending everybody and ruining the business, it wasn’t worth even one good night.  

Anyways, the one owner (drunk who tries to blame his low numbers on everybody else) blew it, and I’m outta there as of a couple weeks ago.  

So, of the seven different bar gigs I’ve encountered, I really don’t have much positive to offer.    

I have a couple other prospects, but I’m gonna chill with it for a couple months and enjoy my weekends in my music room at home.

I have those intermittent parties and shows regularly, so I always have something to do.

Wow, sound like wise management.  

That’s the problem with so many, they don’t appreciate their human resources and don’t know how to keep good help.  

There are a handful of decent places around here, but most are morons, too small to afford entertainment, or too cheap.  

It’s partially my fault, in that I’m too lazy to travel out of my immediate area, though many press me to do so.  

This area is kind of depressed, so things aren’t that good for bars here these days.  

Oh well, we’ll see how I feel in a couple months; maybe I’ll take it more seriously.  

Anyways, good for you that you’ve found a good place.

Main reason why I don't work small bars - too hard to get any profitable return after paying the wages & kj - not saying it can't be done, but smaller clubs seem expect the most from everyone else & not pay for it.  Larger clubs - if advertised right, will fill up, more people drinking/spending, bigger profit return, better pay for kj!
I've been at this place now 14 years/7 nights.  They even PAY me for nights IF they happen to be closed (rare but happens, power outages & such) - which is pretty much unheard of!  Pay extra on nights like New Years or special events.

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

Lonman you've got it made !! Its great to hear that a bar owner is THAT satisfied with you & your work that they would do all that good stuff to help you (& them of course)  :hi5:

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Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

In a rural setting it is an entirely different situation. Either the bar owners dad knew me all my life or I have known or serviced most of the bars in northern co in one way or another..  But we can tell you about bars that been there 40-50 years and what it takes to go through the bad times and the good times.. And BTW I totally agree with the positive approach.

Successful bars have an owner that is a people person knows whats going on what trends are and has the savvy to hire managers that dont drink or drug on the job.. When a real bar owner is in his bar drunk drinking with his friends which is very rare on certain holidays and during that time they are not the owner an whoever is behind the bar is the boss. And the ONLY obligation to the bar owner they have is make sure the owner has a ride home home and doesnt drive.

Now comes the contribution to this thread. The good bars have at least 2 weekends a year where they raise money for MS for example on labor day. There is a regular that once a year has a barbeque for all the patrons of the bar.. Staff and all do not directly get involved with personal type stuff like divorces or arguments in the bar but they are aware of everybodies birthday and knows when it is. A good club will have one fri nite a month with karaoke for all the regulars that have a birthday that month..

If a friend needs help the bar (A bar is nothing more than a social gathering place for FRIENDS) the regs cook meals the Kj's do  free gigs and everybody gathers.. I sang satin sheets with a mop on my head in a womans flannel nightie and raised $80 for a cause.

I read threads here where they dont know the owner, manager or the singers which are their customers and cant even tell them whats going on. For the life of me I dont know how to responbd.....If I go to a place like Branson Mo and find a karaoke bar in one hour I am friends with all the singers and most everybody else for life.

Yes a club needs to advertise esp when trying to establish a karaoke night for ex on a thur. PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE......Give Give Give....

From the owner and all the staff including the kj host Be personable be aware be honest maintain a professional attitude  that joins all the bar personnel involved NEVER be a slobbering drunk on the job playing a role..Everybody gets a shift drink at the end..

There are 40 dozen different things I could add to this response and probally will but these are things that keep a bar floating for 40-50 years ... Good thread....

A little cafe depends upon the morning coffee drinkers and regs for the profits.. A bar depends and still needs to provide the social gathering place  for the locals and provide the security and safety and benefits for getting out of the garage bars ...N ow we are getting somewhere think people...

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Then he did it a couple weeks later out of sheer enjoyment...

KIDDING!!!!!

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

Pureley sober !!!!  It took every ounce of courage I had.....And nobody took a pic...

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

You are lucky it was before cell phone Cams, or we would be going back to that blackmail thread!!!!

Thank you guys for rising to the occasion.

Karyoker- I was wanting to hear more things that a bar owner HAS done to be successful, but you are DEAD on with the things they need to do in theory.

Lonman- no wonder you are so good- you have the most practice!!!

The reason I started this thread is that there is a new venue I have been talking to, and they want to get the word out they have a bar (it is attached to something else), as well as if they do go with karaoke, they want to know what THEY need to do to promote the show. They seem rather open minded, and have spent a lot of money on this complex they built, but the bar is the new addition.

Maybe that puts some new light on this....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

They NEED to advertise both outside & inside.  The inside can be your donation, do up table fliers & maybe a couple posters to put around - there are poster designers you can get that allows you to print on special paper (4 individual sheets) to create a 16x20 wall poster.  They need to talk to their beer/liquor distributors for outside banners - generally these are free or very cheap for the bar as it's also advertising the beer/liquor.  If it's a new show, also see if the distributors can give them t-shirts, glasses, giveaway stuff that can be given out either by raffle or just whenever throughout the nights for the first couple weeks.  People love giveaways - even if it's crap, if it's free - it's good!
If they have the means, a decent size ad (not like 1/2 or full page, but not the smallest either) in the Friday entertainment section of the local paper may help - maybe add a coupon for a 2 for 1 drink special or for food with the coupon during karaoke hours only?  
Websites - many bars are actually utilizing MySpace for their advertising.  It collects all of their patrons as friends, they set up groups & forums, the friends of friends sees the bar in their friends & checks it out as well.  Blogs, bulletin announcements for upcoming events.  It's free & easy to use too!
Hope this is kind of what you were looking for. your second post kind of made it seem that way.

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

You hit the nail on the head this time Lon......

I always put my own flyers up, and I have quite a few publishing programs, so I am sure I could do some 4 page posters.

I like those beer/liquor banners, but I always wondered, who puts the lettering on them, the distributor, the bar, or the host?

If we go forward I will make all those suggestions.

PLEASE, keep em coming.....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

They put in an order with the distributor & they have them made & sent.  Budweiser Music Banners are pretty common for music venues.  Like I said it's usually free or very cheap to the venue - depending on their distributors.

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

Having been to Lonnie's club, I can tell you it is an awesome setup. One thing I haven't seen anywhere else -- they have custom awnings with Karaoke  inscribed. Very classy -- you can't drive by without knowing what is going on there. I am sure that awning  has brought lots of people in.

They used to have a big silent radio on top of the building with it as well, but it broke a few years ago.  I forgot about the awnings - never pay attention anymore.

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

I've seen lately many banners in bars around here that say..
"KARAOKE NIGHT SPONSERED BY BUD LIGHT"
or other beers fom Miller and Coors etc.

Does anyone know what "sponsered" means ?
Is the bar getting MONEY for hosting Karaoke or is it just advertising for the BEER brand that night??????  I know the KJ's are usually giving away T-Shirts etc that night from the beer brand etc.  Is this all that sponsored is Free T-Shirts?

Not being a professional KJ(at this time I have only done private parties).
I can tell you what I have observed some clubs/venues doing to promote or crash and burn.
On the promotion side:  :D
I have certainly seen some decent websites.
When I am looking for a new place to go I look on the internet to see what may be coming up locally.
KJ's place flyers/handouts in the places where I buy my CDG's etc...
Believe it or not some radio statio advertising is cheap.
(I know I advertise my business every week on a local radio show) $25.00 per spot.
Call a local radio or TV station and do an "interview" especially if you have a special event coming up. The bar owner could have let's say have an OPEN HOUSE or Charity event.You could talk about.
Leave flyers at the business's that YOU do business at. Example: Your local Harley dealer,favorite restraunt (sp?),bowling alley etc...
Get a guest list book for people to sign with e-mail address's and send them updates as to where you will be. If they had a good time they will come to where you are.
Crash and Burn  :(
As a "singer" (I use the term loosely) here is what I think can Kill:
"Singers" will never become regulars if they do not get to sing
What I mean is ,
Do not let Betty Boop/Brad Pitt continue to sing ,around people because they are
"SO CUTE". Let them stay in regular rotation.
If it is someone new to the venue be sure to Thank them for coming and
ASK THEM to come back.
Do not let the drunkest fool in the bar continue to come up and shout through a song.
Do not bad mouth any "singer" EVER !!!! I have seen it happen. The KJ actually started baying like a dog he did not know the singer.(no it was not me)
Ask any real hecklers to stop.
Stay with your equipment and run the show.Never leave a dangling pause while you are having a drink,cigarette,conversation with Betty Boop/Brad Pitt etc....
DO NOT GET DRUNK !!!!!!
I am not a a karaoke professional. I do however enjoy going and having a good time and I do a ton of marketing/promotions in my "real life".
See Ya or should I say Hear Ya,
Blue

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The main difference between monkeys and man..............
Thumbs

Advertising must be one of the most positive ways of getting new customers into the bar.  Without it, how can the bar expect to get anyone in other than their regulars?  A few bars around here have posted outside or in their windows the 'schedule' for every day of the week, whether it be karaoke, live music, guess that tune night, or whatever.  

A good way to advertise is on a web site, whether it be the bar's own site or a KJ's.  If the KJ has a web site, they can list all their venues and the nights they are there.  This is especially good for attracting the visitors from out of town.  As a karaoke junkie who travels a lot, I have found it hard to find out where there is a gig.  It is usually the internet that is the biggest help.  But in one place in ong Island, I became a regular for the time I was there strictly due to the advertising banner they had outside, which I noticed while driving past.

1)  When beginning a new show, I ask the venue owner to contact their booze distributor and request a vinyl banner be made  for the outside of the bar advertising the show, with my name. ( Including my name has a double purpose. I have a local following, and this will help bring them in. It also gives my name more exposure to continue the cycle).  The liquor distributor will usually do this for free.


   2)  I encourage them to advertise in the local entertainment mag, Steppin' Out. This is the bible for local partyers and comes out once/week.  Worth the expense. I usually have samples to show the owners of ads that contribute to successful shows.

         On occasion I run my own ads with a list of my venues- a small one- quarter page @ 125.oo   Since I don't see but one or two other hosts doing this, my ad brings in bunches.


    3)  I have the ability to broadcast texts from my phone to groups.  Instead of e-mail which people read when they get to it, They get show info via text, which they read immediately. Way better response than e-mail.

    4)  Websites:  If you're going to utilize them, go for the public free listings, such as "Karaoke in NJ" or some such.  If you want to maintain your own, well and good. However, if someone hasn't heard of you they won't know to look for you. If they do, and like you, they'll see you at one of your shows.  You could mix blessings and add your links to the free sites that allow them.....Personally, I get 10 times the response from the free listings as I did when I just maintained a site of my own, so I no longer do...


       Just a few thoughts......

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."