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No, this isn't another "how much to charge" thing. But do you charge the same amount to a bar as you would for a private party? I don't need dollar amounts, just if you charge the same or a different amount, and why.

thanks

for a regular, recurring gig, the price is very much discounted. It's an incentive to keep the gig going, and to start other new ones, either at the same location, or to get other days of the week filled.

For private parties, there's a lot more work to be done. And rules go out the window for the most part. Private get togethers are just about anything goes. Sometimes they want you to run a regular rotation, but for the most part, it's the private girl or boy havin' fun!

In answer to your question, I charge about 75 percent more (from my regular price) for a private party. For a private party, most KJs (and DJs) will charge more (usually anywhere from a 50 - 100 percent mark-up). Reasons for this vary, but for the most part, a private party is something where the person hiring you will be a 1-time deal (like for a Birthday party, an Office party (usually during the holiday season such as Christmas), a special occasion, etc...), thus, the main reason we (as KJs or DJs) will charge more.

Keep in mind that a bar gig is reoccuring... that is, paying the KJ a significant amount of money each month, thus the price per show is severly discounted.

The price for a bar night also might vary based on expected take. For example a friday or saturday night versus a wednesday.... usually, $25-$$75 dollar variance. It also depends on the quality of the club itself.... next to a college? Poor part of town? RICH part of town. You ability to charge is also based on your experience and library, and how many folks that YOUR rep might bring in. (i.e. beginning KJs can expect to be on the low end for the type of bar and dollar amount they will pull in).

I have a basic rate per hour, and the minimum is 4 hours.. Even if they only need you for three, they still pay for four.

Other factors that go into the price for a private party is:

- how far do I have to travel
- How many people? 60 or 600...
- do I have special song request, and will I have to buy new music?
- do i need to rent a tux?
- How much "hosting" is expected of me. Will I be running other events, besides playing music and karaoke? Weddings are exceptionally labor intensive, and probable the most expensive private party.

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

private parties are generally more . how much more depends on what kind of party
wedding receptions are MUCH more because there is alot more work involved
just a private get together or maybe a graduation party is just a little more say maybe 25 %

It depends upon the size of the crowd and what the requirements are. Minimum is $150 for a small birthday party for 2-3 hours. For larger parties it generally runs $100-200/hour. I do like to bid at an average rate and get the gig then more often than not they want to extend it which is an extra $100/hour plus tips. I do give discounts to my regulars and friends even weddings. Afternoons plus nights or all nighters are 5-600 dollars but usually have crowds of up to 500. Typically these are boat clubs or bikers parties. I have done swingers parties. I would rather do parties than bars but sometimes hard on the system esp outside all night. The dust on cables and in the gear is horrendus. I found my wireless mouse in a beer cooler one time. I took his battery out, put him in solitary confinement for 4 days to dry out and he worked again but I do think he is an alcoholic.

One of the biggest rewards is when you turn the lights off flash on full to tear down there is silence and you hear crickets or maybe a coyote. A couple of kids walk by and say "Hey thanks for letting us party man!" On the end of the flat bed is empty whiskey bottles and beer cans. You are so tired all you feel like doing is laying down. The next day when you have energy again you have a few beers and put cables out on the front lawn and clean them with a water hose and rags. You wonder how many bugs are in your rack. MEMORIES!!!

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Parties are WAY more than bars. Besides the discount for multiple gigs that a bar gets, they are also trying to MAKE money. A party is considered a payout for a good time.

My minimum for and event is 3x my bar pay based on 4 hours. This can rise dramatically for a corporate event ( tax write-off), When I used to do weddings ( no longer - HATE 'em), or large venues.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Basically the same for me of what everyone else has said. I have a base rate that is for any gig. A bar will get a discount (50-75%) for booking multiples. If a bar wants me for a one time only thing I will usually give the about a 25% discount of the base rate.

My private parties base rate is based on a 3 hour show (+ OT charge for more than 3 hrs), and bars usually run 4 hours for the same rate.

The bar is a flat rate. A private gig is hourly, with a 4 hour minimum. There is a little give and take when we work through agencies, since they take a cut.

birdofsong

Assuming most companies here are operating a legal karaoke service how much do you charge for a 3 night (thur, Fri & Sat) gig, and is your pricing based on the size of your karaoke library and constant up-grades...

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CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE AT THE DOOR, STICK AROUND YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE SOME FUN

Nope. Priced is based on market value. You can only charge what the market will bear, whether you have twice as large a library as everyone else (which we do).

birdofsong

I charge $200 a night for 4 hours in a bar.

I charge $125 an hour for private parties with a 3 hour min, no lighting is included. Max travel is 40 miles. I charge travel fees after that distance.

We charge more for a one time "party"gig than a weekly gig at a bar. We usually give the weekly shows a bit of a discount b/c they are weekly & not just a one time thing. Hope this answers your question.

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Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

For private shows I charge 3-5X my normal bar rate which can be up to $450-750 depending on the gig itself.

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Funny how everyone here seems to be dancing around pricing.

Regular re-occurring bar gig single night per week: $175.00
Multiple nights: first night =$175 all others =$150 (the $25 is a setup/teardown)

Private parties BASE rate= $475 for 4 hours

Weddings BASE rate = $850

$150 for steady gig. +$25 an hour after the normal hours.
Private events min $300
Weddings $500 - $850

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"Baby, Just Because I Rock, Doesn't Mean I'm Made Of Stone."

$200 for steady gig. +$75 an hour after the normal hours.
Private events min $450
Weddings $600 - $1850

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

No one was dancing, the OP specifically said it was NOT a thread asking "how much", so no one REPLIED "how much".

But, since the door opened....


Bars: $180 - $250+ per night depending on factors such as venue size, location, night of the week ( in other words, what their projected income from me is worth). No discounts for multiple nights. If they want me three nights, it's because I make them money three nights. Also, I'm not real big on multiple nights in a single venue anyway. They get too much control, and I get less exposure in other areas.


Minimum event fee: $125/hr with a four hour min ( in other words, $500 even if the party is for an hour)

Larger events: $750 - $1250+ depending on venue size, location, attendee count, upsells, special requests.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Chip, in the OP, it says "I don't need dollar amounts, just if you charge the same or a different amount, and why." I don't see any dancing around here.

I get paid a percentage of the takings at my residency so it varies....but private parties I charge between £180 and £300 (GBP)