Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums :: I know this isn't an easy question...

My ongoing Friday and Saturday nights I charge $250 per night.

For party's I get $500. Weddings are $600-800. I Dj and offer Karaoke. Most people who hire me want Karaoke with DJ service.

My contract is for 4 hours. Additional time is charged in 1/2 hour increments and varies depending on venue. $75 per 1/2 hour for ongoing venues. $125 - $150 per 1/2 hour for parties and weddings. Most jobs run over.

I am booked up for the next 6 months, and about 1/2 booked for the rest of the year.

When I have started a new venue I usually will cut the price and add a percentage of bar take for the first 6-8 weeks until regular customer base is built. A few venues over the years didn't make it, just couldn't draw, location or prices usually were the problem.

When I first started I worked for less, until I built a reputation and got exposure. That's an important part of success, to get yourself out there and provide a top quality service.

The area I work in is pretty competitive, but most people know me and know my shows will draw. The party business has boomed since I down sized my system and made it mobile. Word of mouth has been the driver. I get repeat business for a number of clients.

Author:	loloisland [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:08 am ]
Post subject:	I know this isn't an easy question...
but....To all the KJ's... What do you get paid a night if you are a house KJ? I'm just wondering because I have been a house before, and the club owners are wanting me back, but I have done mobile karaoke for awhile and I was making a good chunk of change. But I would like a permanent place to work as a KJ. The hours would be from 9pm to 2 am Friday and Saturday nights. What do you think would be a good price to quote?

Author:	sidewinder [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:14 am ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
What are you worth?

Author:	loloisland [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:23 am ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
...i'm not sure what you mean by that question...as a mobile KJ I was charging between $125 to $200 depending on the distance...problem is they have their own equipment I just have to provide the entertainment and bring alot of my collection, because their collection is lacking quite a bit...it hasn't been updated in about two years......I know the guy who was doing it before was only charging about $10 an hour...not tooting my own horn, but I'm worth more than that, because I have a crowd of about 15 that will follow me so that's more money for the bar, because my singers love to drink...

Author:	sidewinder [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:35 am ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
Are you going to print up a new songbook with all of your music and theirs? $10 an hour.. LMAO IDIOT. If you are good and have a following or know you can build one, i would ask for $75 -100 a night. They are probably thinking $10 an hour... Give them a price break until the crowd builds. But make sure you tell them the top dollar amount you expect when the time comes. If they can't or won't doit...move on. Providing the music is the major part of the show and make sure you let them know that fact.

Author:	loloisland [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:52 am ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
I have songbooks already printed for my collection and they have their own for theirs. I will be for real...I have been out there one night about two months ago, because their guy had some issues, so they paid me 150 that one night and everyone was asking me to return...I played about 85 percent of the songs from my book...They made alot of money that night, because no one was leaving, and it was simply because they were entertained completely. Thank you for the advice. I will probably just do that.

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Author:	sidewinder [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:16 am ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
If they paid $150 once and made a lot of money, then make that your price and work upward. Forget what i said about $75-100. LMAO LMAO See if they need anyone else... :D :yes: :hug:

Author:	knightshow [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:40 am ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
if you are providing ANYTHING other than the finger pushing the buttons, you charge them. IRREGARDLESS if you already have the book done, or are bringing in your own discs. If you rewire something, charge them. If you plug someting new up, my advice is to make them aware that a HOUSE kj doesn't do these things normally. Now you're a specialist that knows this stuff, and if they want you to do improvements, your best advice is to charge them. Once you start giving away free anything, they'll take major advantage over you. As with all things on being hired as a house kj, tell them the straight facts. When you're out there working gigs you solicit, you can command higher prices. If they want you, they need to come up from the house kj salary.

Author:	ericlater [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
The "karaoke bar/club" I belong to pays $10 per hour for the KJ. The KJ just shows up for his/her shift; that's it!

Author:	Dennisgb [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
My ongoing Friday and Saturday nights I charge $250 per night. For party's I get $500. Weddings are $600-800. I Dj and offer Karaoke. Most people who hire me want Karaoke with DJ service. My contract is for 4 hours. Additional time is charged in 1/2 hour increments and varies depending on venue. $75 per 1/2 hour for ongoing venues. $125 - $150 per 1/2 hour for parties and weddings. Most jobs run over. I am booked up for the next 6 months, and about 1/2 booked for the rest of the year. When I have started a new venue I usually will cut the price and add a percentage of bar take for the first 6-8 weeks until regular customer base is built. A few venues over the years didn't make it, just couldn't draw, location or prices usually were the problem. When I first started I worked for less, until I built a reputation and got exposure. That's an important part of success, to get yourself out there and provide a top quality service. The area I work in is pretty competitive, but most people know me and know my shows will draw. The party business has boomed since I down sized my system and made it mobile. Word of mouth has been the driver. I get repeat business for a number of clients.

Author:	Lonman [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
loloisland @ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:08 am wrote: but....To all the KJ's... What do you get paid a night if you are a house KJ? I'm just wondering because I have been a house before, and the club owners are wanting me back, but I have done mobile karaoke for awhile and I was making a good chunk of change. But I would like a permanent place to work as a KJ. The hours would be from 9pm to 2 am Friday and Saturday nights. What do you think would be a good price to quote? Most clubs that hire a 'house' kj - someone to run their system with the clubs discs will usually pay anywhere from $50-100 per night for just a kj - no extra equipment to bring in, no discs, just come in to run their system. If you are using your own music you should be able to get $75-125 per night.

Author:	Lonman [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
Dennisgb @ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:19 pm wrote: My ongoing Friday and Saturday nights I charge $250 per night. For party's I get $500. Weddings are $600-800. I Dj and offer Karaoke. Most people who hire me want Karaoke with DJ service. My contract is for 4 hours. Additional time is charged in 1/2 hour increments and varies depending on venue. $75 per 1/2 hour for ongoing venues. $125 - $150 per 1/2 hour for parties and weddings. Most jobs run over. I am booked up for the next 6 months, and about 1/2 booked for the rest of the year. When I have started a new venue I usually will cut the price and add a percentage of bar take for the first 6-8 weeks until regular customer base is built. A few venues over the years didn't make it, just couldn't draw, location or prices usually were the problem. When I first started I worked for less, until I built a reputation and got exposure. That's an important part of success, to get yourself out there and provide a top quality service. The area I work in is pretty competitive, but most people know me and know my shows will draw. The party business has boomed since I down sized my system and made it mobile. Word of mouth has been the driver. I get repeat business for a number of clients. But your prices reflect you & a full system with discs correct? The op stated it would be the house system with discs, then he'd bring in some of his own library to supplement - no equipment or anything.

Author:	supercharged [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
keep in mind here, you are already doing good as a mobile. They are not doing so well with there house guy..You are in control here not them. they need you more than they need you so start high, and negotiate till You get what YOU want. for me to become a "house guy" most places would drive me nutts. IM really picky about the gear I run and how it sounds. Most clubs buy whatever they get cheep. I would end up with my own system installed in the club.

Author:	sidewinder [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
To an extrent the clubs equipment could become part of your reputation. So if anything needs to be upgraded make them do it and pay for it.

Author:	ericlater [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
I will also suggest that since you are not responsible for bringing your discs, don't bring them. You are, by definition, not required to bring anything. And why should your property/equipment be subject to ANY wear and tear. If you have already volunteered to bring your discs, back out of doing so as graciously as you can. There is no long-term benefit to you to use your discs! After the show is in full gear, make a list of the tracks that have been requested. Also determine what, if any, equipment needs replacement or repair. Then submit a comprehensive list to the owner as to what is needed. Since you'll likely show up early to check everything out before each show, keep a written "diary" of any time you spend before and after show hours denoting how such time was expended. Don't end up in a position where you have a hour or more of your time for each show that you don't get remunerated for! In short, don't try to be a hero or you'll surely end up a matyr.

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Author:	sidewinder [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: I know this isn't an easy question...
If the bar is lacking in the music department, it could be why they picked you because they know of your library. It's the music selection that will help make your show good and bring in the singers. I would take my music and the hourly fee would be part of it. It will make your show better and prove your worth.