Karaoke Forums

no problemo

in my area, we don't need anybody helping others to start out. We're saturated enough as it is! !

Hello everyone,
This has already been a badly beaten dead horse, but I wanted to chime in(first post- yay for me....). I can't say thank you too much for all of the input from everybody on this forum! It is nice to have so many people know their stuff and also be very open and willing to help others out. Awesome!!!! I've been doing this for about a year and still learning every day and am thankful for all the help!!!! P.S. I'm a better lurker than poster so this one might suck!

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Woo-Hoo!!!

The day you think you can't learn is probably the day you should quit.

Hey man, if you're doing karaoke full time and making satisfactory money, keep on rockin. It sounds like you are really loving it and how many jobs out there have a cast of employees who're actually HAVING A GOOD TIME on the job. I'll bet your show is killer and I'll bet you're blowing these other sour pusses out of the water.

Sour Pusses???

Gee,,, I thought we were really being nice.

Yeah, you sour pusses. Ha Ha. You are being nice. But I think some posts along this line are telling him he'd better get out now before he fails. And I'm of the school of thought that he'll do just fine. He should keep on truckin.

if you had read and comprehended ALL of the posts, you'd realize that initially the impression was one of inexperience and hopefullness. A later post, much later I might add, clarified some information, but it basically turned that impression 180% around.

Kinda like someone with hardly any posts jumping in the middle and judging our responses. Hard to develop a good impression there too.

Oh yeah, You're knightshow. I've read your posts. You're the one who's so fun to listen to!! I mean your experience and overall knowingness in the field is an asset to all karaokiers EVERYWHERE!
Nah, I'm messin with you man. You ain't so bad. You just act it

Actually, I could care less. I'm on this site with the single goal of finding some prizemoney contests in the surrounding states, and that's pretty much it. You guys are the KJ's, you spin the discs. I sing the songs, along with many others. <=== thems my horselips.

Drummin22nwv, I think you have a good idea of what you're getting into and it sounds as though you are dedicated to providing a good show. I in no way intend on discrediting anyones opinions in this post, but just let me say that I think that you are doing the right thing. I have a friend that does just what you have described and he and his wife make a pretty good living, working 5 shows per week. I am considering the option of becoming a KJ myself. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect each of them. However, think of all of the success stories that you have ever heard of and understand that each of them was probably discouraged from making the decisions that they made. Regardless of any obstacles these people achieved their goals through good planning, hard work, attention to the little details, and most likely a little luck. I think you have provided the planning, hard work, and attention to detail.
I offer you all the luck in the world. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do anything you want to do, just be careful, and be smart.

I like to think of it this way, those who refuse to think outside the box are destined to live their lives inside the box!

Best of luck!!!

My system now consists of shure mics a couple of sm 58's a Mackie dfx-12 mixer , a Microverb 4 for efx , a Dbx66xl compressor, a Bbe 362 sonic maximizer and and an Aphex 104 with big bottom.. Jbl Eon G2's for speakers and jbl eon10 g2's for stage monitors. I run FOH with 50 foot snake and have years of experience runnin efx and putting in jukeboxes and sound systems I do have a couple of degrees in eng. and was the chief eng in a few tv stations. However since I wont do a gig for less than $175 I am not getting too many gigs now. I spend soc sec money for equipt but I do have one hell of a system The major cost now is trying to keep up with the bulletin board top country and top 50. I have almost come to the conclusion that I will never pay for my system and keep up with the new songs. But I will tell you thisThis old man is having fun and I wish I would have disovered my real talents when I was young...I dont know wats funner being a KJ or singer....

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

On a little different note. I know a few singers who apparently think they can earn a living singing karaoke, even though they don't. Amazing how some people will get caught up in the whole thing, living in a fantasy world. The few I know who are like this spend all their free time accumulating songs, practicing for the weekend, and don't even have jobs! All they talk about is karaoke and the songs they are learning to sing next. I must respect those who really DO earn an income from working as KJ's and actually work at it as a legitimate business.

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Nephilim

My best friend recently started a business and includes parties, weddings, birthdays, etc. You can see him at www.stuckinyerhead.com and email him from there. I am sure he would be happy to answer questions and give you ideas.

Oh, my dream job!!! Im young, own a home, can't have kids, and married to another karaoke freak....this is the PERfect career for me! Imagine...getting PAID to go to the bar!! My friend who runs the karaoke gig at our local bar is considering getting out of the businees in the next few years and we've already talked about buying his equipment and taking over his gigs. We've both got day jobs that provide plenty fun money and we often go out at night anyway (to karaoke! hee hee!) My hubby is a walking musical encyclopedia (I've always said he should be a DJ) and I'm pretty good with technical stuff.

Good luck drummer..just don't let the business side of it kill your love for the fun part of it!!

Heres the point. You can get more money for something if its a better product! People are buying Hummers for ,Im guessing, $50,000. But they could buy a Ford Explorer for $20,000 less. Why? Its what they want. I went to karaoke shows and saw that more could be done and thats what I provide. The $75.00-$100.00 show is okay, as is the Ford Explorer but once you sit your butt in the Hummer its hard to convince someone that the Explorer is a better deal. If they cant afford the Hummer , so be it.
I work with every club I do. I do not set a price. I get myself in the door if I have to do it for a low minimum the first time. Have you ever heard of getting a percentage of a clubs total sales, I do it! After a few shows , Im usually making pretty good money.My deal with every club is, I make money when they make money, I dont want to be there if Im not making them money.You have to have some business sense to deal with business people,Valuable lessons learned managing for 15 years and getting upset at vendors who cared only about themselves and seeing other companies who had the same attitude as I have. Its a basic principle, that says If your customers are successful ,you will be.
Its hard work but Ive found a way to do it.

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Happy Sound Entertainment

Dude, why are you still explaining this 2 months after your initial post?  We get it, this horse is DEAD.

Like "dude", Its a free forum dude.  Im glad you got it dude. Are you the moderator dude? Is this your personal property dude.

peace dude.

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Happy Sound Entertainment

Anyone getting into karaoke today and expecting to do it full time has guts. They have established companies to compete with like mine. Companies with experience, large libraries and the skills to work it and the crowd/following. Then there is the saturation factor with the copied discs or pirated hard drive libraries with glory hounds working for tips or a beer tabs. I hear from KJ's locally and online how they can't get their price.

Success can be had. I am still commanding my prices still drawing crowds. I get calls from area clubs hoping to hire my services which are not available except for 2 nights. Right now I am not giving them up and I work MORE than $150 for a 4 hour show. It is all according to how well anyone can wear the various hats it takes to run a business. Some are more capable and have more of a knack than others. Sometimes the breaks fall better for some or others can better see and take advantage of opportunities.

As for me, here in Mobile, Alabama, I have been doing karaoke full time for going into my 9th year now. This has taken care of my family. A good recognized business name is an asset. All the same problems I see posted online exist here, but they are not a problem for me. One of the most basic principles I have used is to treat singers the way I want to be treated and then some.

Karaoke is not easy money, those who have paid their dues know to stay ahead of the pack you gotta work harder than your competition. If an entry level company fines the formula to success go for it, it is just much harder to do today for the new startup. There is soooo much more.

Other things play a large part  deciding weather this adventure will be successful. First of all your present financial condition, is your wife working and getting benifits through her company. If your in a position to do it go for it.. If not  its a hugh risk and you will have to be agressive as hell to even have a chance.The key is to get steady work, but first make sure you go to shows where your competition is and learn what there doing right and wrong.look to establish a following as quickly as you can. Dont work cheap just to work.Charge alot, offer a lot ....Good Luck

 

I don't have a wife-LOL! But you are so right a significant should be onboard and not jealous and understand the hours and the nature of the work. Life is a risk but there are few who earn money doing this much less a full time living as I do. I may add to infaltion as gas prices rise. Predictions say it may go to $5 a gallon here in Mobile, 'GAWD' help you guys in Californee-eye-aye!

Business is not off here yet but at those prices I can't see it not getting slow this year for everyone. Strap in we're all in for a rough ride!