Karaoke Forums

Hahaha Seriously? Do you really think other KJ's are going to look at an online songbook and say "I need to replicate that guy's library!". Not once have I ever looked at someone's books or list and thought "Need to get all of these tracks!".

Even if someone wanted to copy my song selection, they would be out a LOT of money or they would be stealing it. In either case I still don't care because song selection is only one piece of what I offer.

-Chris

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-Chris

I would think that there is much more danger in having a Manu see what you have than a competitor. Without a doubt, in the eyes of an investigator, the larger your songbook the greater the chances are that it contains pirated songs. Mine would look a lot more suspicious, but I have mine broken into 3 categories.

1) Oldies and Newer Favorites (1920 to current)
2) Country
3) Newer Music (1990 to ?) minus the songs that our singers/listeners would not appreciate (rap, headbanger, 5 minute plus, profanity, etc.

All 3 categories are also by artist & by song. I have found that by splitting the books up like I have them my singers find a lot more songs to sing because they are not searching through a lot of songs/artists that they are not familiar with.

4) I also created a 4th category called "Fun, Fast & Familiar". That is my go to book to get the party started and keep it going.

For the most part at my gigs I don't even put the Newer Music books out. My singers are mostly from 50 to 80.

See you in two years!

-Chris

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-Chris

Oh pulease! Completely agree with Chris, NO ONE (LITERALLY) is going to compete and try to replicate a kj's library using an online songbook. Weak excuse of the extreme paranoid. I've had my books online for years. Wouldn't matter if another kj remotely wanted to copy it - have at it, if he did he'd either be spending THOUSANDS to buy the stuff I have that is long gone or be a pirate - which in that case, your library won't mean diddly because it will most likely already be on their drive.

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

I may be a Luddite, but I agree with Lon and Chris. Competition isn't the problem What I have found is that folks ( so they tell me) at kiosk shows feel rushed, and would prefer to browse a book at their leisure, so I aim to please...

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Joe, Not to mention that some places may not have the space for a kiosk without sacrificing seating, dance floor, stage area, visibility, isle space, etc.

It isn't even a matter of kiosks, this is just simply an online issue. With online books, people can look at the books anyday, anytime on their phone, tablet or computer/laptop. Often I have people with their slips already filled out (as I have printable slips online as well)when they get in - or they can peruse at their own leisure at home and really get to see the songs & then even have time to listen to them to learn them on Youtube or something. Even the Luddites can have an online book - whatever program you use to make your books, you usually can extract that database to put online in some manner - even if it's just a simple pdf file.

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

http://www.karaokebook.co.uk for whole Sunfly catalog

Hi
This is Jim from SongDive.
We did have a 129/year program. We have discontinued it as we adjusted our pricing. We feel 4.99/mo would be very reasonable for the quality songbook service we are providing. And this would also allow it to work with any budget. I felt that I should post a response here as our information has changed. I also have had rave reviews from the users of the online request system and feel its important to share. Thank you
http://www.songdive.com

I'm sure there's a place for your program but who wants to receive song requests via text messages to your cell phone?
I use CompuHost as my hosting program along with the Karaoke Kiosk. When someone uses the kiosk to submit a song request, it goes directly to CH on my laptop which integrates beautifully. The program also lets me accept requests from users's tablets and phones.

I think a kiosk system is definitely the way to go. I still bring song books with me also for anyone that wants to look through them but only about 3 or 4. Anyway, good luck with your system. As for me, when I'm working, I don't even bother with my cell phone. Having to stop get the message, look up the song, enter it into your hosting program seems like a big hassle when with a kiosk, one button and the request is entered into your hosting program. Takes only seconds.

But maybe for those using hosting software that doesn't allow the integration of a kiosk, your program may useful. Good luck.

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

Thank you for your input. We know there are many approaches to the business. We are looking at new ideas all the time. The reason we started with tweets or texts was to give folks the option to use whatever software (and or device) they wanted, and give them a "digital" edge if they wanted it for a reasonable price. The KJs that have used our system dont have software that has a request system tied in with it, and cant afford the kiosk's. I just wanted to bring up our basic service at the 4.99 so people would at least have the option. Thanks again
www.songdive.com

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SongDive
Karaoke Scene Advertiser

In any business, there will be business expenses. Karaoke is no exception. To run a successful karaoke business, you will also have business expenses. The software you use to run your show is a very important aspect of this business. So is the equipment that you use. If one cannot afford these most basic elements of this business then, the KJ should not be in this business. Another line of work might be in order.

A note to you as a developer: Set your sights higher. If you cater to people with no money, you're going to make no money.

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

I agree. I have been studying the opinions of the KJs on these and other forums as well. The strong opinion seems to be that of very little cost. I have been trying to understand. The pricing we had for 6 months after release was actually ridiculed and described as overpriced. Compared to competitors. We are still learning the ropes in this business. Our background is IT not Karaoke. We developed this product due to what seemed to be a need. We are still trying to learn what it is worth. Some have said 19/year is what they are willing to pay. Ours at 14.99/mo was outrageous. Again we are just trying to get a feel for the market. We feel that we can afford to offer the service at 4.99/mo with 2.50 songbook updates on a basic service. We do not have that limit at 14.99. Also we feel that making this system unlimited and lower cost it will assist those with little budgets. After 6 months from launch we were not getting much response from the community. I do understand what you are talking about with regard to expense. That is our MO in the computer business. Here, we are still learning. We thank you for any input you have. Also, I would like to know your thoughts on the karaoke business at this time. We are thinking that the lower cost entry point would help to modernize and potentially help build the reputation of karaoke up into the digital age. There have been articles about the decline of karaoke, I think the new ability for the common person to search and request a song from their KJ for free might help to build up interest. Would love to know what you think. Thanks again.
www.songdive.com

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SongDive
Karaoke Scene Advertiser

Can you turn off the option to send a text request. Like Alan, I do not use my phone and with different hosts on different nights, I don't want them to use their text limits for song requests. I pay nothing for my current online/phone books currently.

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

Yes. The control to turn off the submit requests is in your profile. That will turn off either text or tweet depending on what method was chosen to receive the requests. Thank you
www.songdive.com

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SongDive
Karaoke Scene Advertiser

Does it manage multiple song lists for multiple venues on a single account?

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-Chris

At this time, no. We have a single list available to a single account. We have had 1 other ask about this. Is this something that is needed often or occasionally? It is something we were looking into.
Thank you
www.songdive.com

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SongDive
Karaoke Scene Advertiser

Why would your song list change with different venues?

I use SongbooksLive and they only allow one book per account, and probably for the same reason. I also agree with their philosophy that it's the KJs job to do the typing and enter the songs, AND to pick the best version if the singer doesn't have a preference, so it's no surprise that their service is only $19 for a whole year.

If you're the type that likes the idea of the singers entering their songs themselves, why would you pay an ongoing fee to host something on the internet? Why not just get a kiosk that's on a local wifi and uses a local copy of your database? I mean if you're going to make your singers spend a minute selecting a song and typing their name and sending it, I'm sure they won't mind the 10 second walk to the kiosk on the other side of the room or to pick up a tablet you leave on the table.

To me, SongBooksLive makes more sense because it's not used as a tool that's tied to your system and doesn't require any linking to your hosting app, but more as a way for singers to browse your collection anytime in their free time right on their cell phone, and according to most of my singers, that's what they do. They now browse my collection in their free time and each week already have a small list they want to sing when they show up at karaoke. When singers walk in the door, I add them to the rotation, and when it's their turn to sing, they simply tell me what they want to sing. It does NOT get any easier than that for your singers, and you're crazy if you think they prefer to do any more work than they have to. I'll choose logic over the "cool factor" any day of the week.

Many multi riggers like Chris run a different library at different shows. Each system has it's own unique set as it isn't one library copied however many times. This means he needs a unique list for each venue. And, yes, most legit multi riggers would need this.

Then rightfully he would have a songbook service subscription for each show.

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.