Karaoke Forums

I've been running a karaoke show for the past year or so. I've put nearly $3500 of dollars in my music selection. I have roughly 3500 songs for people to sing which has shown to be pretty much enough. My problem isn't that I don't have what one needs to do this business, it's the fact that Karaoke entertainment seems to be low on the scale when looking at what bars are looking for in my area.

I read on here some of the rates people are charging for a four hour venue. Most are saying around $125 or so for a four hour venue. While I've got this price at times mostly I find my self charging as low as $75 for a three hour gig and hoping that the bar owner wants me to play for another hour so I can pick up an extra $25. When all is said and done I realize that the market doesn't seem to be there.

There are places that have karaoke, but many are happy with the guy they got, even if my settup is better and I put more effort into the show. In the bar owner's mind it seems they feel one kj is as good as the next. It doesn't even matter if you have a differentiating quality that seperates you from the others. It's extremely discouraging and I'm contemplating getting out of the business.

It seems that most people frown upon karaoke and look to it as a last resort. Basically in this last year I've been the guy bars call when they need someone to fill a slot for someone else.

I've been looking to maybe more of a dj settup. I don't particularly like the idea of being just a dj. In fact I think it would be relatively boring compared to a good night hosting karaoke. It seems that their's more of a market for it and it seems that less money goes into the settup. If you look at private parties and weddings it seems that dj is more of a neccessity then a kj.

Do you guys know how much DJs get in the way of $ compared to KJ's? Is it roughly the same amout of money?

I've also been contemplating getting a band together and playing venues as a band and ditching the entire dj / karaoke idea. I'm under the impression that most bands probably get around $300 for there performance at a venue. If you have three guys then all of the sudden that's more or equal to what I've been getting from this kararoke thing. I would have more help with trasporting my PA and I could probably sell my van that's been costing $50 a month and has been a headache with problems. Low and behold I could sell all of my cdgs and cds and just be a rock star like I've always wanted anyways. I could do it with another $2000 dollars or so in my pocket.

I'm at a loss right now. I'm trying to get through college and I was hoping that this would all pay off for me as a good side job as I went to school. Now I'm thinking differently. It seems their's too much invested for so little cash and stabilty. I was forced to get another job because of it's inconsistency.

It's been a tough road. Advertisements go hardly noticed. I spent $75 on a newspaper ad for christmas and New Years eve parties. I got one response from a lady that wanted to do something special for her 13 year old daughters birthday party. She didn't seem enthusiastic when I said it would be $25 an hour for at least three hours. She was willing to pay $50. What a joke I thought. I was actually contemplating doing it just so I felt that my investment in my ad wouldn't have been wasted.

Anyways this is a short rant. My heart is in entertainment. It's what I really enjoy doing. I think I'm really good at it. I didn't expect to make that great of $ off this thing, but I did hope that it would come through enough to sustain through college.

I think the bottom line is that their isn't much of a market where I'm at. I failed to talk to these places before investing and now it's going to bite me in the a... I have 3 more gigs lined up for the holidays (1 in which I am getting $125) and then I'm strongly considering calling it quits.

Private shows, dj's can get anywhere from $250 - $1200 per show. 1 of the better dj companies here do only weddings & are booked solid with no advertising (other than word of mouth at previous shows) & they are pulling in anywhere from $750 - $1500 per show. Average for most companies are still probably getting in the upwards to $500 per show range.
Bands are a completely different ballgame as well. You are only going to get paid what you are worth - meaning how good are you, your sound quality of the PA (is it just amplifying your vocals or is it going to be able to knock someone out of their chairs with the hit of a kick drum), song selection & amount of songs (can you pull off a 4 hour show, this is what most book for), & probably the biggest factor - how big is your following>? My band started out by playing for beer to get our name out, once we started getting a following, we actually got "REAL" money - $50 per night. After a couple years we would be able to command $1,000 for Fri-Sat. We sunk about $30K into our PA & light system total & still needed to pay our sound man, so we would end up getting about $750 to split between 5 members. One of the better bands here are averaging anywhere from $1500-$3000 per weekend & $500-$2000 for weeknights. But they are one of the BEST cover bands i've ever heard. Their sound system & light put ours to shame as well. The clubs they play are generally standing room only & this is still with a $10-15 cover charge.
You don't get into a band to make money, you do it to have fun. If you are good enough, then you can make a living out of it eventually, & if you write your own stuff - you could be one of the lucky 1:1,000,000 that gets a record deal & start making real money, but it's not just a mentality of - "Hey, let's play song songs & get rich", it don't happen that way.

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While there is a little money in the regular weekly gigs you are paid less because it is regular work. Booking weddings, parties, etc pay far better than the weekly gig.

For a weekly gig - every week - I do it for $150 vs. cover (if they make more than $150 on the cover charge then I get that amount instead).

For a single show where I'm catering to the guests in smaller numbers I charge more. You get more personal attention and I customize the show to fit your needs.

I have a large selection of music so I can play some dance music and dinner music if I need to.

The point is, if you're about making money, start marketing more heavily and once you start getting a little recognition then you can start charging more. If you want to find out if it's worthwhile go to the other business in town and find out what they charge for a show. Some insist you come in, others have a basic price list you can pick from al a carte.

Basically, do some marketing research and then make your decision.... If you can't market yourself and/or your business then there isn't anyone that will book you no matter how great you are.

DJ (mobile, not club) gigs generally pay much more than karaoke bar work around here. Weddings are in another league. Combo DJ/karaoke parties are roughly the same. The nice thing about karaoke bar work is that it is steady, but I wouldn't give up my Saturdays for it due to the weddings. I don't think DJing is boring at all - while karaoke requires it's own skills (more mixing, interaction, rotation management), DJing also has it's challenges like reading crowds to maximize dance floor participation/music knowledge, wedding activities, etc. I do find karaoke much more relaxing since the singers "pick 'em" and the atmosphere is generally more casual than the mobile work I do.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

We have been at the same location for almost 8 years and are still having a great time!!! I think the bar owners you are running into are probably thinking "If it's not broken, why fix it?". I think they also understand that to change out karaoke companies could lose them the regulars they have now, however.......

I think an advertising opportunity for you would be to post info about your karaoke company on bulletin boards throughout the college. Give flyers or business cards to your friends and have them take them to the establishments they visits and talk up your set-up. Have your friends make it known how much fun they've had singing karaoke with you.

Just a thought,
Susie

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Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

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Do it all. KJ/DJ/Live band. I'm doing it and I'm sure there are plenty of others. I 've sang in disco cover bands, retro glammetal, and 70's soul jam bands. Still do my 5 karaoke shows and pick up Dj gigs off and on. Although each has a different groove and feel, ITS ALL THE SAME. There will be slow times and triple billing times too. Its a mofo when you first start up bro but dont quit before the miracle happens. Unless you suck then your just wasting your time and mine... just f-ing with you. And I did this without one paid advertisment. WORD OF MOUTH will always do it for you IF you got it. Good luck.........

And for my 2 Cents.......I started out as a guy who just wanted to sing alone at home..thats what it was till I had a house Party. I got up and did my Frank Sinatra show (in Costume) for a 1/2 hour. the party loved it.

someone told the bartender at the local Eagles club (kinda like the moose and VFW) they offered me a job one saturday night. they wanted me to do two hours of Frank, Dean ,and neil Diamond kinda stuff...I did it and now Im doing nursing homes (for free) and my own company Cox communications Hired me for their Christmas party.

Ive turned down more job's than I have done..... The calls keep comming in...
my show that they seem to want is not just Karaoke ...they want me to start out with my Dean Martin ,Frank and neil, and other older favorites. Then have open mic Karaoke...

This just may give you an Idea of maybe thinking out of the Box when it comes to show's to do.

I have a day job and have been with Cox for 20 years so Im not doing this to make a living but for the past three weeks Ive been getting an extra $400.00 income a week....hell thats almost enough to pay my $550.00 a month truck payment.

good luck and open up your mind to a catchy show or something different than just being a regular KJ or DJ. think man think....

I do computer karaoke\DJ... and have been thinking about something NEW....

RIght now, I work 9-5 m-f and only do weekends. I have been looking at a computer projector. they have at circuit city for about $850.00 and use for the shows instead of a tv monitor.

But the other night I was watching one of my many Live performance Dvd's of different artists thinking about using the computer and big screen with of course the Big sound system and show the dvd's as an entertainment show. I hooked it up at home and tried it, and it is an awesome experience. almost like being at a concert. plus I can mix the aritist's - and songs with the computer.

I am wondering if this would be legal, I am thinking about trying to sell it around here. I'm reasonably sure Stevie Ray Vaughan, or Skynyrd would draw a bigger crowd than the local bands even if for just the Novelty of the show.

what do you think??

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Dr D
Possibly a great mix would be to use that in conjunction with your DJ /KJ show...kinda like a nice break for the non Karaoke crowd. ...for the next 20 minuets heres leonard Skynyrd....live performance of Freebird....


I myself like a nice break during a karaoke show weather Im doing it or just a patron.


Im sure someone will come up with the leagle aspects and post them here. as long as your not charging to view them I dont see what the prob would be.

I do that now with my rsq505 player... will bring in music videos and yes, live concert performances... not too often , but enough to bring some interest into the show if it's stagnating.

OK, you have to prove that you can bring on the difference. you have to show that you can bring in regulars with you wherever you go.

The keys to success from what i have found in my travels..

- a good book, I'm not talking about your library. I am talking about a nicely printed, updated, easy to read book.
- a good audio, you need to sound great, this means hi-end PA mixer, the best mics (wireless if you can), bi-amped speaker setup, floor monitors, etc...
- the "persona", some have it some don't, you need to be willing to do whatever it takes.
- the music library, this means well-rounded, well sounding.... stay away from the bargin price discs, get new music as available, along with getting some of the older tracks
- a good look, Rack that gear, skirt that table, loose the chair behind the rig (it looks lazy).
- racked gear is easier on your gear, looks nicer, and sets up quicker
- tables with skirts..... BUY YOUR OWN TABLES!!!, and get table skirts for them too (cloth ones)
- sitting on a chair..... OMG how lazy can one be!!! I hit a nerve. I have seen so many sloppy hosts sitting on a chair, some with their back to the audience. you have to look like you are having fun at this little party, yet still be able to do your job.


OK, I rambled out some things, the personality is the most important thing IMHO. you have to make people want to come out the where you are playing each and every night, you want it to be their first choice when deciding to go out for the night.

Well I have good news to report. I had a good gig last monday that may prove to get me a solid Friday night gig for a good price. I've also been working well with some leads that may turn out. I'm optomistic for now.

Good call Midnight. I agree with everything you've said. I do just about everything except the table skirt, which is a good idea. I feel pretty confident in my show. People compliment on my book, sound, voice, and tell me they have a great time (numero uno priority). I really don't think my problem is me. I think it's the market.

I've got two places in particular in which they don't seem to want anything to do with me (now they haven't seen my show yet because this is in another town). They have a Karaoke service that has around 1/2 -2/3 of what I have for karaoke songs. The guy sits behind his little table like you were talking about. It doesn't look that good. Where's the energy? The guy doesn't sing at all and he djs karaoke cdgs to start off the night till someone sings. The problem is no one is singing to the cdg and therefore the show is kind of lame.

The time I was there checking him out I was the first one to sing to get things rolling. The guy had no lights, the sound wasn't that good really compared to my rig, and in all it was kind of lame. If I could find a way to get in there I'd imagine the owner would percieve a different view. I don't know. Maybe I should tell him $50. Maybe then I'll get some consideration. thanks for the posts guys.

Ah yes the old 50 dollar TRICK...................sounds like a cheap hooker on a raining tuesday nite!!! just messing wit ya bee. When I started out 8 years ago I was doing gigs for 50 clams too. 3 hour pizza gigs , I got 50 plus 2large everything on it to bring home. Hey ya gotta start somewhere. I know of some losers that are kjing for a bar tab!!!! Just try not to undercut anyone unless there a pirate..........