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Buying songs for singers
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Author:  DangerousDanKaraoke [ Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Buying songs for singers
In another thread...
karyoker @ Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:39 am wrote:
That's another reason why I like them standing there. I do a quick search and if I dont have it I say I'll try to download it. Whats a another one in the meantime? Then I log onto tricerasoft and search there and download it for the next rotation. I'm thinking of setting up wireless lan from laptop to the rack computer again so I can download directly into a shared folder in the rack comp.
I might compare that with going into a restaurant, ordering some type of food that's not on the menu, and expecting the chef to run out to the store then and there to get the ingredients to make it for me.

I know we want to keep customers happy, build a loyal crowd and all that...but IMHO it's unreasonable for a patron to expect a KJ to go out and buy a song just for them. I figure my "menu" has thousands and thousands of songs of all genres. There's plenty of selection for all tastes to sing.

"Serious" singers will bring their own discs. Otherwise, I'm happy to direct people to my website where I have a Sound Choice affiliate link and they can buy whatever song they wish. If they really really really like that song - and it's not something mainstream - I don't think I'm being a harda** by suggesting that. Now if I see that person in there every week for several weeks, on my next music order I might add that song.

Your thoughts?
Author:  Babs [ Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
Dan - I think it's great if Ollie goes the extra mile for his clientel.

Personally I try to have everthing my regulars want within reason. I have stopped the days of running out to buy CDGs everytime someone asks for a song though. After I update my books I wait a while then I put out a request sheet and have all the regulars write down songs they wish I had. There is no reason to add more songs no one will sing.
Author:  Lonman [ Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
DangerousDanKaraoke @ Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:55 pm wrote:
I might compare that with going into a restaurant, ordering some type of food that's not on the menu, and expecting the chef to run out to the store then and there to get the ingredients to make it for me.

I know we want to keep customers happy, build a loyal crowd and all that...but IMHO it's unreasonable for a patron to expect a KJ to go out and buy a song just for them. I figure my "menu" has thousands and thousands of songs of all genres. There's plenty of selection for all tastes to sing.


This is how our customers stay happy, I buy songs for them. Not what I want or what I THINK they want, but what THEY want to sing. I am also now setup wireless in my club, I have yet to try downloading from Tricerasoft or Selectatrack yet, but I do now have my accounts set up. This is what can push a customer to come back rather than going to another show if they know I can get their song on the spot. Karaoke is not like a restaurant in any respect. But even in restaurants, you can usually get something tailor made or customized to your liking & if it isn't on the menu yes you can always request that they get it - sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

Quote:
"Serious" singers will bring their own discs. Otherwise, I'm happy to direct people to my website where I have a Sound Choice affiliate link and they can buy whatever song they wish. If they really really really like that song - and it's not something mainstream - I don't think I'm being a harda** by suggesting that. Now if I see that person in there every week for several weeks, on my next music order I might add that song.

Your thoughts?


Yes the serious singer will have their own disc, the ones that request music are our regular want to have fun singers. These are my regulars, not going to tell them they have to buy their own in order to sing something - however many do ask where to get discs & I also direct them to my affiliate pages. I have always tried to get what our singers want - within reason.
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
I started to buy some REQUESTED songs --mainly because my new show is all NEW singers and YOUNGER so they want some ..differant songs. Mostly some of the newer POP/Rock releases
Author:  atxklown [ Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
About the Off the Menu request, some restaurants are popular for those meals that are only exclusively made there. So if you've got those couple of songs that a regular or and requestor has asked, that will put the business in.

I'm the guy with my own discs, and when I was the only guy in town singing Gnarls Barkley's Crazy, my KJ found out about SBI got that song along with other tracks that many would like to sing and his business got bigger.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
You can download a song for $1.00 to $3.00. If you know how much it costs to attract a customer, you know that this is a bargain. The easiest customer to get is the one you already have, so you should invest in keeping them. Downloading a song to help build that relationship, and add to your library, is a no-brainer. Even if the song never gets sung.
Author:  karyoker [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
At a regular gig it's not that often , but it's like at the wedding we did which worked into a $600 gig. The groom, bride and best man wanted these songs which I downloaded and had playing in 5 min.

Gary Allen Watching Airplanes
Kenney Chesney George Strait Shiftwork
Tanya Tucker One Love At A time

For less than $5 I made $100 more plus I have these in the library now. I'm doing a private party tonight and yes they do have wireless.
Author:  DJ Swirl [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
I invested in a wireless network card for these occasions. The card itself was discounted to around $100, and I pay $60 a month for access. Yeah, a little costly, but my clients love that they can request a song I don't have, and I can have it in five minutes.
Author:  Bill H. [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
Running with your restaurant analogy, if a customer's favorite item isn't on the menu at one place, that diner will move to another the next time out. And there are many restaurants out there to choose from.

It's a pretty accurate analogy actually.

Welcome to the forum Dan but you aren't going to get a lot of agreement on this one.
Author:  magimae [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
First and foremost, I try to keep my library up to date on country and pop songs. But there will be times when someone will request something I don't have. If they are a regular I tell them that I will try to find it and have it the next week. If it is someone new to the club I ask them where they are from and if they are new to the area or just visiting. I live and work in a very high tourist area and I'm not going to spend my time and money getting music for someone that will never be in the club again. My regulars know that I get all the new songs at least once a month so they will usually just tell me to put it on the list and get it when it comes out.
Author:  DangerousDanKaraoke [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
Bill H. @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:44 am wrote:
Running with your restaurant analogy, if a customer's favorite item isn't on the menu at one place, that diner will move to another the next time out. And there are many restaurants out there to choose from.
I think there's a key point that's being overlooked. Is the value of a karaoke show ONLY the songs in your library? Or does the KJ's personality, the friendliness of the bar staff, drink prices, convenience of venue, etc. have nothing to do with where patrons choose to sing?

For instance, I love filet mignon, but if the restaurant also serves great martinis, an attentive staff, and killer side dishes, I'll choose to go there anyway. I don't think any business - or karaoke show - can (or should) be all things to all people. Unless perhaps you're in a small town. In the Seattle area, there are literally dozens of shows on any given night. I have to believe that people pick their "regular places" based on more than the music selection.

I see Lonman works at a place where karaoke is offered all the time. In that case, you're not catering to a one-night-a-week crowd, but customers that can conceivably come in for karaoke several times a week. That would equate to a much stronger R.O.I. on investing in the occasional "klunker" song that no one else is likely to sing.
Bill H. @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:44 am wrote:
Welcome to the forum Dan but you aren't going to get a lot of agreement on this one.
Thanks for the welcome; I'm enjoying the discussions. And I hope that folks here can agree to disagree and from time to time enjoy seeing varied opinions. I got plenty of 'em :)
Author:  Lonman [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
DangerousDanKaraoke @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 1:47 pm wrote:
Bill H. @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:44 am wrote:
Running with your restaurant analogy, if a customer's favorite item isn't on the menu at one place, that diner will move to another the next time out. And there are many restaurants out there to choose from.

I think there's a key point that's being overlooked. Is the value of a karaoke show ONLY the songs in your library? Or does the KJ's personality, the friendliness of the bar staff, drink prices, convenience of venue, etc. have nothing to do with where patrons choose to sing?


If the kj still had songs I wanted to sing, I would stay, if not I may make the best of it for the night or if I knew of another place close I would probably move on. Great kj personality only goes so far if the songs aren't there.

Quote:
For instance, I love filet mignon, but if the restaurant also serves great martinis, an attentive staff, and killer side dishes, I'll choose to go there anyway. I don't think any business - or karaoke show - can (or should) be all things to all people. Unless perhaps you're in a small town. In the Seattle area, there are literally dozens of shows on any given night. I have to believe that people pick their "regular places" based on more than the music selection.


In honesty, same as song selection, if I am going to a restaurant, I just want good food & what I want first & foremost - I am not purposely going to choose a restaurant that didn't offer what I just to choose something I may not really want, then staff/drinks/etc. If they don't have what I am in the mood to eat, I go to where they do.

Quote:
I see Lonman works at a place where karaoke is offered all the time. In that case, you're not catering to a one-night-a-week crowd, but customers that can conceivably come in for karaoke several times a week. That would equate to a much stronger R.O.I. on investing in the occasional "klunker" song that no one else is likely to sing.


But getting stuff people want - at least I have found, even when I was doing mobile gigs (1-2 night per week shows) helped build the crowd & keep them coming regularly.

Quote:
Bill H. @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:44 am wrote:
Welcome to the forum Dan but you aren't going to get a lot of agreement on this one.
Thanks for the welcome; I'm enjoying the discussions. And I hope that folks here can agree to disagree and from time to time enjoy seeing varied opinions. I got plenty of 'em :)


Welcome as well & yes you will get alot of differing opinions, & that's all they are. Some will consider different opinions as possible learning tools & consideration or they will flat out flame them as being wrong, most of these people don't last here too long though - don't get them very often but once in a while. Majority here will agree to disagree if they don't see eye to eye.
Author:  MorganLeFey [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
agree to disagree? :roll: wont that cut the hung drawn and quartered rate though? :shock:
Author:  knightshow [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
DangerousDanKaraoke @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:47 pm wrote:
Bill H. @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:44 am wrote:
Running with your restaurant analogy, if a customer's favorite item isn't on the menu at one place, that diner will move to another the next time out. And there are many restaurants out there to choose from.
I think there's a key point that's being overlooked. Is the value of a karaoke show ONLY the songs in your library? Or does the KJ's personality, the friendliness of the bar staff, drink prices, convenience of venue, etc. have nothing to do with where patrons choose to sing?...
not to take only a section and talk about it, but yeah, I'm gonna do it! LOL!

I put this analogy up with the thought process of "I have 15,000 karaoke songs... if you can't find something in there to sing, then there's no help for you!"

Not every karaoke singer is going to be happy at every show. This is a given. This is why I like to accept customer discs. Although the idea of the internet and buying tracks is solid, I prefer to buy the tracks and get the actual disc. This way I can prove I really own these if the question is ever brought up by the powers that be. Downloaded tracks to me seem harder to prove.
Author:  magimae [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying songs for singers
you're right. proving you actually own tracks that you bought and downloaded from internet would be harder to prove. I don't get very many that way, but sometimes I do find it convenient. What I do is make a hard copy of my receipt and put it in a file I have. That way I do have something to show I actually bought the track. Like most of you here in this forum, I have a real problem with the KJ hosts who use pirated music. There are at least two KJs in my area who get their music from a guy builds computers to use for your karaoke show. He puts the computer together and then downloads all the music to it. When you want something new he comes out and puts in what you want. This would all be great except for the fact that he buys one disk and then uses copies for his customers. I had one KJ defending it saying she had a disk for all the music on her computer and then I pointed out that she had a copy not the original. Oh well, I'll keep on spending my money to buy original and know that I am doing the right thing.
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