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Karaoke for tips?
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Author:  karaoke koyote [ Sun May 24, 2009 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Karaoke for tips?
Question... Has anyone done a private gig for a discounted fee plus tips? How did this work out for you.

I think a lot of people shy away from private party karaoke due to the expense involved, and was trying to figure away to keep the price appealing, without under selling my self.

I was asked about a graduation party, and I said my price was usually $99 and hour... which I could tell was balked at... even though they knew I was worth that... they just didn't have that kind of money.

Then I said, :\"how about this: I'll do it for a fee of $150, and put out a tip jar"... this is a grad party with family and friends of about 200, "So just get the word out I'm working for tips, and I'll put a tip jar at the table."

At that they all said that they could easily swing the $150, and with as many people who were going to be there, I should do well on tips and they would get mom and grandpa to hook me up, etc.

What do ya think? Am I crazy, or is this a good idea? Its an unbooked Sunday... so what have I got to lose right?
Author:  gator [ Sun May 24, 2009 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Keep the pricing to yourselves and do it. I mean you aren`t booked for that Sunday which means no money but you have the opportunity to make $150.00 plus tips and from the sounds of it the tips will be great so what is there to think about? Show me the money.....
Author:  spotlightjr [ Sun May 24, 2009 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Definitely do it!!! I did an Eagles Club gig a few months ago for a nominal fee (100.00) plus tips and it worked out way better than expected. Not to say you're gonna get rich...... but I made well over 200.00 in tips in about a five hour gig. Was well worth it and I've gotten 2 more gigs vecause of it. Good luck!!!
Author:  karaoke koyote [ Sun May 24, 2009 3:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Yeah, I was thinkin' this might be a good idea, but its always good to ask... :D
Author:  mckyj57 [ Sun May 24, 2009 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Another idea is to hold a 50-50 raffle.
Author:  karyoker [ Sun May 24, 2009 3:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Quote:
Another idea is to hold a 50-50 raffle



??? For another party? Might be a brainstorm. Gives me some ideas.
Author:  SCORPION [ Sun May 24, 2009 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
I have recently tapped into private KJ/DJ events.They seem to want 6hrs of KJ/DJ and not 4hrs like a typical venue,and at 99hr its going to price you out of the market.
But I do believe you could have asked for 300 to 400 and got the job.

Two major issues that I have with a private job is.
1.Get half down non refundable.They are booking you for a date and if they change their minds it will cost them.This way they don't find somebody else cheaper and pull out on you,but if it is a legit reason it leaves the choice up to you.The half down usually weeds out the wing nuts and I have only had this be an issue twice and both times it was way before the date and I gave them their deposit back.

2.I will only set my equipment up once.Some private parties are outdoor events and if weather is an issue it is up to them to provide an ample place for the K/J.And I also state that it will be a 1st floor set up.I am not dragging my equipment down into somebodies basement unless that was discussed before or up to their 2nd floor party room above their garage.This is something I have ran into with my band.

I DJ a wedding reception for a friend at a low price(lets say 100.00) with the stipulation that if they were asked it cost (300.00).And when people asked me what I charge I told them (300.00).I gave my friend a deal but I'm not willing to give everybody a deal.I would tell these people that they are getting a great deal and if anybody asked them how much you charge that they tell them XXX and if you are asked you say the same amount. I did 3 other wedding reception off that one, at a (not a freind rate).

I never like the tip or take part of the door or some type of bonus system that relies on somebodys perception of how the event went.I usually set a price and stick with it.
Author:  karaoke koyote [ Sun May 24, 2009 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
mckyj57 @ Sun May 24, 2009 3:28 pm wrote:
Another idea is to hold a 50-50 raffle.


Wow, that's a good idea!
Author:  DangerousDanKaraoke [ Sun May 24, 2009 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
I let those know who call me about karaoke that it can be very polarizing for a party. Some really really love it, but those who don't seem to really really hate it. There's no in-between! So I'll let prospects know that I bring a library of dance music too should their party people want to groove a little, or if the same 6 people keep signing up over and over. That seems to foster a little less price resistance in that they're not JUST getting karaoke, but entertainment for everyone.

My private party karaoke rate starts at $599; I'm often able to upsell them lighting, party favors and other add-ons. I don't think even with a party of 200 people I would work for tips. I just think asking for tips at a private party is tacky and frought with danger.

Ultimately, you have to determine what a night of work as a KJ, travel, supplying gear and music is worth to you. But certainly the day of the week is going to make a difference as well. And your gear doesn't make any money sitting at home in the garage!
Author:  karaoke koyote [ Sun May 24, 2009 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
This gig is mostly DJ with some karaoke... That's already well established.
Author:  ripman8 [ Sun May 24, 2009 8:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Nothing to lose. Except tips. Why not tell them $300 up front. You know what you will get, they know what to expect.
Author:  ggardein [ Mon May 25, 2009 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
I think you'll be dissapointed.......just my 2 pennies.... :)
Author:  ripman8 [ Mon May 25, 2009 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Let us know how it goes.
Author:  karaoke koyote [ Mon May 25, 2009 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
good or bad, I will!
Author:  ShowMeMusic [ Mon May 25, 2009 7:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
My guess is that you will come home with about $150.00, but what they hey, it is a $150.00 you wouldn't have if you stayed home that Sunday.
Author:  letitrip [ Tue May 26, 2009 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
SCORPION @ Sun May 24, 2009 6:19 pm wrote:
I have recently tapped into private KJ/DJ events.They seem to want 6hrs of KJ/DJ and not 4hrs like a typical venue,and at 99hr its going to price you out of the market.


$99 pricing him out of market? Not where I am, I charge more than that and have no problem booking private parties. Of course I don't deal with all sorts of upgrades and additional fees. All my shows include the same features and I'll customize them to the clients' needs.

SCORPION @ Sun May 24, 2009 6:19 pm wrote:
I DJ a wedding reception for a friend at a low price(lets say 100.00) with the stipulation that if they were asked it cost (300.00).And when people asked me what I charge I told them (300.00).I gave my friend a deal but I'm not willing to give everybody a deal.I would tell these people that they are getting a great deal and if anybody asked them how much you charge that they tell them XXX and if you are asked you say the same amount. I did 3 other wedding reception off that one, at a (not a freind rate).


$300 for a wedding is awful low in my neck of the woods. The headache of a wedding alone isn't worth that prices. Once you include setup, tear-down, dinner music and everything else I've found that most weddings run at minimum 7 hours of my time. I've actually considered having a different fee structure specific to weddings because of the amount of BS involved.

SCORPION @ Sun May 24, 2009 6:19 pm wrote:
I never like the tip or take part of the door or some type of bonus system that relies on somebodys perception of how the event went.I usually set a price and stick with it.


I am completely in agreement on this one. We set a price when the contract is written, you pay me half (non-refundable) when it's signed and the rest before I play the first note of music. Epecially with a private party, I have no control over how successful your turn-out is so no way am I going to allow the turn-out to dictate my pay. My personal preference is that I don't accept tips ever. I don't like the look of a tip jar and I really don't care for the potential perception that I or my rotation can be bought. That never ends well.
Author:  kameragurl [ Tue May 26, 2009 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
I did a show for free since it was the first time there the other night. A guy asked me where the tip jar was, and I told him I don't do tip jars. He threw $50.00 on my table.
Author:  Babs [ Wed May 27, 2009 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
I agreed to do a private party ONCE, for tips plus $200. At the end of the night I made $21 in tips. LMAO The only reason I agreed to it was because the person who hired me insisted I'd make a ton of money. I believed the fast talker. I'll never do that again. I normally never put out a tip jar at a private function. It feels wrong to expect guests to tip. The guests are already expected to bring a gift for the graduate, but if the person who hires you expects you to put one out as part of your pay that's different.

If you agree to take the job just be prepared that it may not turn out like you think. I hate being the one to put a black cloud on the idea. I hope it works out for you. Good luck !

Food for thought: Be ready for unattended children to possibly be there. If this is a family party you sometimes run across children who want to randomly get into your equipment, pushing buttons, grabbing mics etc... If you have one child who insistantly gets into things I'll ask the child his or her name and ask the party giver to please help out with the situation. If that doesn't work I resort to saying something over the mic like " Whose turn is it to watch Mikey?" It usually gets a chuckle from the crowd and the parents finally start paying attention.

I agree with the comment about letting them know ahead of time if it's outside you will not setup again somewhere else if it starts raining. I've had this happen once
also. People have no concept into how much work that entails.
Author:  karaoke koyote [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
Well, my Sunday night party went pretty well. I made some new friends for sure, and the money wasn't bad. Final total was $340, but I stayed for for 8 hours... whew! What a day.

As the end time started coming up, people were asking me how much to stay? I said, what do you think is fair and got handed a $20... Then another, and another... some $10s and $5s thrown it too.

I basically played from 2 to 10pm. Everybody had a great time, and said they wanted to come see me at my Saturday gig (which was just down the street from the house I was playing at)... and there's some new work to be had too, so I'm going to chaulk this up as a success! :D The weather was beautiful too, clear skies all day, and not too hot.
Author:  ripman8 [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Karaoke for tips?
The money's ok but sounds like your future leads are the intangible positive here.
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