Karaoke Forums

I would like your opinions about shameless promotion of items at your venue. Since the subject of singers spending money when they come to our shows has come up so many times, I'd like to know what you all think about SHAMELESSLY announcing the products in an effort to manipulate the thoughts of the customers. Kind of like they do on tv, with commercials. For instance " Wow, that song was so good, it reminded me of the jalapeno poppers, think I might have to order some, they're REALLY good. I'm not talking about after each singer, but maybe a couple of times a night. What do you think?

Rosario

The best way to do this is to run temporary specials:

"The kitchen is running a special -- for the next ten minutes, free onion rings with a large burger"!

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

GREAT IDEA, Mckyj, that way the owner gets sales, and still makes a profit, just at a lesser margin. Also, others may not make it in the alloted time, but they may get hungry from the OTHERS food. Great thinking.

Rosario

We will give a wireless to the mngr to announce drink or food specials.We do announce the kitchen will be closed in 20 minutes.

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I work in the bar/lounge of a Chinese restaurant. They're never really running "specials" but occasionally I'll make the announcement "For those who just stopped in, this is K-Jay's Karaoke here at [venue name], home of the best Chinese food in New England!" (which I firmly believe as a customer of theirs) "Try the [peking dumplings, chicken fingers, insert food item here]." Then I follow by announcing the names of the "bartenders who'll be taking care of all your food and beverage needs tonight."

I see no harm in promoting your venue's products. After all, if they don't make money, YOU don't make money.

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"K-Jay"
www.kjayskaraoke.8m.com

Wow,

Some really good ideas that I believe deserve consideration.

Now... (WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK) why isn't anybody chiming in that promoting the venue is the job of the management? The KJ is there to entertain, not to shore up the venues marketing efforts and bottom line. The KJ, according to some, is there to run as many singers through as can be done in an evening. No transition music, no filler music, no dance music.... and definitely no time for marketing announcements! Let the management worry about promotions, as you should let them deal with the freeloaders, and keep the singers flowing quickly and orderly through the rotation!

JayM, some more great ideas from you too, Karyoker, can't give a mic to the owner, he's in the kitchen, and I don't have wireless mics, but thanks for the suggestion. Eric, I agree that these are some terrific ideas, and I'm preying that this does keep going good, and not go downhill. My OPENING NIGHT is tomorrow, I really like the owner, and the place, and want to do EVERYTHING I can to make it a success. I have an agreement for three months (trial), so if I can get the people to start supporting the restaurant, as well as my show, all the better for me.

Thanks,
Rosario

Rosario if you have an owner working in the kitchen then you have a great advantage to start with. Just keep bouncing ideas off of him and work with him. Usuallly the owner is sitting at the end of the bar drinking. I hate that. First night set up way early to make sure everything is alright then use the time to get acquainted with staff. Sounds like my kind of place and you will do fine..

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I keep the list of specials, the names of the wait staff and when the kitchen closes close at hand and announce it every so often when it's going to take someone a few seconds to get on stage. I call the singer, see them in the back of the room and give a speil like, " There's <insert name>. Make sure you don't bump into Kelly, Melly, or Dee while they're serving those $2.50 kamikazes" or "Remember the kitchen closes at XXX. Don't get caught hungry on the way home."

Our job is to entertain to keep people in the establishment so they can make money. IMO telling folks things that will keep them there is surely as much our responsibility as playing music for the singers.

Karyoker, thanks for the vote of confidence, and I'm sure that you would like this place, NICE atmosphere. The owner is easy to work with, I had a "trial run" about a week and a half ago, and all went ok. Gryf, that's always the first thing I do is introduce the bartender, and any wait staff. I like the way you slip those suggestions in there. Thanks.

Rosario

I think there is a difference between promoting and policing. We always announce the other host's show on a different night but we don't make sure people attend.

Okay, I admitt I keep track because I'm jealous.

Leopard

If your "policing" remark is in response to my post... well call it "policing" if you like... that's where some people are getting confused.

Informing people who aren't spending money, who already know that they SHOULD be spending money, that they ARE expected to spend money IS NOT POLICING... it is MARKETING. And as such... it will do more good for the bottom line where I attend karaoke shows (maybe not elsewhere) in South Florida === the land of the early-birds specials, senior menus, and other senior discounts==== then all the announcements about drink specials, food specials and the like.

And... what I have seen here in S FL... well... unchecked... it becomes contagious!

I thought we were going to TRY to keep this thread POSITIVE, and keep the good ideas coming. Please, for once let's see if that can happen. Thanks!


Rosario

Not while there is a single non-drinker left in karaoke, I tell ya!

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

ABSOLUETLY promote specials, food or other promos or upcoming events while youre on the mic. Act as a team with your owner. Why WOULDNT YOU???? Makes you THAT MUCH MORE VALUABLE TO THE BAR!!

REMEMBER----KJ IS THERE TO HELP MAKE THE BAR MONEY. If that includes a few promotional announcements then so much the better!

NO KJ IS SO BUSY THEY CANT DO A FEW 15 second announcements over the course of a 4 or 5 hour evening.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

We are all Karny's and you have the Mic so use it!

Shameless Promotion may be common for KJs to do for the venue they are in, I do it myself sometimes.

However, why not do some shameless promotion for yourself? I just had banners made that have my logo, website, phone, email, and list parties or long-term events. Why not put them up outside your venue like me? They bring people in off the streets and also let them know you are available for contract work.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

Promoting drink specials, food specials, the bar or restaurant, yourself etc. is doing the customer a favor.

They need to know about and have the opportunity to choose to take advantage of what you are presenting to them. If they don't hear about it then they won't be able to happily participate and get the benefits of what's being offered.

So I say, "Promote, promote promote" to the benefit of all.

Everyone is a winner when you promote. The customer gets a good deal, the venue makes money and you become more successful helping both of them get what they want.

Thanks for the replies, AND suggestions. I had a GREAT opening night, and did alot of promoting. There were food specials, drink specials, give aways, anything you can think of. Everyone had a great time. I do promote by hanging a banner outside, KARAOKE NIGHT, custom made with the company name, and hosted by Kiki & Rosario. If we can continue to get the kind of crowds we have been experiencing, the business will be a smashing success. Only time will tell, but I'm sure that I'll do everything in my power to ensure that it does continue.

Thanks,

Rosario SERENITY NOW KARAOKE

This is absolutely true. For the time it takes, it is well worth it. We also run a marquis that lists specials for the night, etc., but non-singers don't really pay attention to that. Just to make sure we announce specials during the time they're available.

Of course planting a big basket of hot french fries on a table in the middle of everyone does a great job of spurring purchases, too. .