Karaoke Forums

OK, so been doing this a bit now, and was sort of semi-rgular at my friends pub. But I want to try and find a weekly regular gig.

How do you all go about it? Aproach the owners?

Nlouch,

Well what I do is, make up a flyer promoting my business, attach a business card to it, grab my song book, and start "hoofing" to the various venues I have "scoped out" for that day, starting early in the morning, to catch either the owner or manager before it gets busy with the lunch or dinner prep/crowd. That's pretty much how I got my present gig, plus the ones from the past as well. I tried calling on the phone, but usually the "face to face" works the best. Sometimes, owners who never gave it a thought, are/can be impressed just from the fact that you've taken the time to search them out. I'm sure that others will say stuff like, make up flyers, go to large parking facilities, put them on the windshield, or advertise in the local paper, post on a kiosk, all that stuff, BUT, IMHO, you really can't beat the face to face right out of the gate. So much information is absorbed by both during that initial contact. It's actually ..... priceless!!

Donny "B"

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It's a wonderful life!!

Cheers - that's what I was thinking

Nlouch,

OF COURSE you were......great minds think alike !!!!


Donny "B"

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It's a wonderful life!!

I agree face to face is much better. I think it's better to catch them during the day in case they are drinkers. The last thing you need is a verbal contract with them that they won't remember the next day. Plus you want his full attention.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Face to face in the afternoon in between lunch and before happy hour. You don't want the manager or owner to be too busy. Offer to do a couple of hours as an audition and bring some singers with you to demonstrate that you are real.

I can't offer advice on pounding the pavement for gigs as this is something that I have never done in over 10 years in the business.

I have always asked my customers if they knew a bar or pub where they think my services might be needed. They end up fronting me into a meeting with the bar owner or manager. Usually they set up a phone call so they are expecting me to call them, and then I chat for a few minutes and then set up an appointment to come in and see them.

This works really great as it is their customer or acquaintance that has referred me so there is no awkward sales call to deal with. Referrals are the best way to get in the door. If you don't have any then create them by talking with your customers, trust me they will help you specifically if it is with their favorite bar close to home etc.

When I meet with the bar owner I bring my materials with me such as a professional resume' that states my qualifications, equipment etc., a song book, and a business card. I have copies 4 or 5 articles written about me by local entertainment magazines and attach them to the resume as well.

However my primary focus is on what their needs are, not presenting who I am. The resume takes care of that, and after all I'm there as a direct result of a customer referral. Most bars have nights that have poor sales and need a lift, or some already have karaoke and are not experiencing the results they are looking for. I tend to stay away from gigs that already have karaoke unless they are insistent that we discuss it. I prefer gigs where they are virgins to karaoke as they generally make the best long term gigs. My reasoning here is that once you build the business you are likely to hold onto it for as long as you want provided you have done a good job.

I have a series of questions that I use to determine whether the place would be a good fit for my type of show. I pay close attention to what the responses to those questions particularly from the staff or owner. Once I feel that they are a good fit, I ask them if they would like to give my show a try once a week for a month, then discuss fees, hours, and details etc.

Some bar owners are very decisive and will commit right then, other want to think about it which is what you want them to do. Whatever nights are discussed, I come back and stop in on those days and times to see what the customers are like as I can get to know the bar staff without them even knowing I'm in karaoke. I can ask questions like...How is so and so to work for? Do you like it here? etc. This type of info is going to give you a really good snapshot of what your experience with the owner and customers will be. You can avoid plenty of future headaches if you do your homework up front.

After those 2 meetings then I make my decision on whether I will pursue them for karaoke. I will follow up with them every 2 weeks to let them know I'm interested and after 90 days I move on. However I will send a postcard once every 6 months to see if their business has improved on those evenings.. This usually get's em'

Normally the follow up is not necessary if you make a really good first impression.

Hope this helps

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Another good way to get gigs is to become friends with your local KJ's as they are a wealth of referrals to some really great gigs.

I have quite a few that I keep in touch with and we refer each other. When your plate is full with gigs, why not refer your fellow KJ. Trust me this really works well as most KJs don't want to deal with multiple systems and gigs. If you have a good reputation with them they will help you.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

that first regurlar gig is the toughest. it seems that the more you have , the more easly you can book more. I advertise in a local bar paper. I always put my schedule in there as well as my contact info. I get calls pretty often from bars who saw my ad. the ones I get from there seem to be better bars and willing to pay for a quality show. this may be a better tool for somebody who is more established, but its how i get gigs.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Another great way to get gigs is to "Play Golf" yes I said Golf

Restaurant and Bar owners generally play golf and many times they belong to a group that plays regularly during the good weather.

I played with such a group ...."The Lounger's" here in my area. My longest running gig to date (5yrs) came from a golf game with this group. The owner was in my foursome and I had 4.5hrs with him. I asked one quesiton...how's business? the rest fell into place. He was getting killed on a particular night and was willing to give anything a try. He had a need and I filled it. I have booked 4 regular gigs this way over the years.

I'm sure you could find a similar group if you contact the Restaurant and Bar owners associations and do a little research. Maybe even your local golf course could help.

This is not for everyone, but if you golf and want to drum up business it works. Oh by the way your golf game, mileage between the course and home are tax deductible here in the US.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I only KJ at one place..the place that gave me my break..other pubs have offered me work,but out of loyalty to Derek (The owner) I turn them down. But I do private functions now,Dj'ing /Kj'ing weddings etc.....in the UK these pay better than KJ'ing at pubs, and I keep my regular gig happy too!

try taking a demo in with you of your work, hear in texas we band guys wouldnt get the gig unless the clubs get a demo !!! just a thought ranger

Cheers guys. Yeah I'm doing the wedding/party/private function stuff right now - just looking for a regular weekly karaoke night to run. Will aproach some owners with flyers and cards.

Thanks all

any bar owner with a brain who does bands on a normal basis knows that a band that sucks wind all night long can spend some cash and make a demo that makes them sound good..A good KJ can make the crummy singer in that band sound good

If they doubt you tell them to give ya a try and if it sucks dont pay ya. if I want to do a show in a bar thats not sure I tell em that. be a bit cocky, "its not bragging if you can back it up". bar owners and managers know if youre sure of yourself or not. its hard to sell anything you don't believe in. there is a big difference however between cocky and arrogant

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

[font=verdana] The way we got our longest running gig was through a customer. She happened to come to one of our first shows, out of town, which was really bombing. Most of the patrons at this place wouldn’t sing, wouldn’t even look at the books. She told us we should be at one of the local bars. She was a friend and good customer of the owner of the local pub, and kept hammering at him until he gave us a try. My son has done Friday nights there ever since.
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Dusty Rose
Blue Rose Classic Karaoke
More Sound! More Selections! More Fun!
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Scott has some good advice here. In rooms that already have karaoke drop your card off and say "If you ever need someone to sub for your main guy give me a call..." but concentrate on new rooms.

It's not pretty following a KJ who was fired for poor performance. There are tensions and bad feelings. Many of the room regulars will probably boycott your show, which will leave you with no one to start with that you don't bring with you.

I did this once. Just once.

Like many have said once you get started you don't have to hit the pavement that often. For the last several years all my jobs have come to me. The owner of my current home room knew of my previous show, which was in a bar that closed when the owner lost her lease, and the whole thing was set up by a singer. I'm just getting started doing an ongoing Friday gig (once or twice a month) because of my current gig. This one's heavily country and there are several KJs more qualified for it than I am. But I was approached because of the success of my current show.

And that's how it works.