Karaoke Forums

And by clients I mean the people who actually hire and pay you (bar owners, managers, etc). How often do you get more than the agreed upon amount? Do you work extra time to get it? It seems to be pretty rare that this happens to me but it has happened. Here's the most recent story that got me thinking.

I play at a bar that hires me on a pretty erratic schedule. He used to book me more but then found someone cheaper and started using them most of the time (I'm ok with it, it's a small bar, I charge a premium price for my shows and he's got a small place that if it isn't busy can't make enough in a night to cover the cost of having me). He still hires me from time to time including just recently I was there on Halloween and again this past weekend.

Well the Halloween show was pretty busy. There were a bunch of my regulars that don't go to this bar normally that came for the show. Good night, got my normal fee, bar made out pretty good. This past weekend, the bar was swamped, that same group came out again only they brought more people this time. So when he handed me my fee he handed about 20% over and above my normal fee and thanked me for a great show assuring me he'd have me back more often.

Obviously this is exciting to get that type of endorsement, but I'm curious how often it happens for others. Am I getting excited over something that most of us see an a pretty regular basis? Or is it as rare for you folks as it is for me. I'd appreciate it if you guys could put it into context for me.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

It's your first Christmas bonus of the year

Got a tip from the father of the bride at the wedding I did. Other than that.....

J

Never from a venue owner/manager, but there's always a first time! Still waiting for the first one.

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

Actually have had it happen several times. Always welcome too. One place will toss in an extra 50 sometimes when its extra busy. This venue on the special holidays like New Years Eve, or Halloween, will sometimes also pay for a motel room. One venue that I basically just recently gave away, would always pay extra on the busy nights, thats really the deal we made.

But whenever extra money does come my way, it's always appreciated.

I have had it happen twice since I started my latest venue. Any time they see that I am going over and above, they appreciate it and show me their appreciation with $. Gotta love being appreciated.

I have never had that happen at a Bar Gig. I did host a Private Party several years back, and was even allowed to invite a friend or two to participate. At this particular party, my friend received a $50 tip because they enjoyed his singing so much.

BTW... that friend was BF4L.

Taking a Bow

A few weeks after I started my Sunday night venue, the owner upped my weekly pay by $25.00.

Letitrip it sounds like you're the BETTER karaoke host to go to when they want that premium service. And maybe the owner can't afford you regularly so he'll hire you on special occasions.

That would be nice if you could split the monetary difference in price and lock in all karaoke there, then build it up, then ask for more later on down the line.

Nearly all of my previous gigs i asked for a rate and got it, although gave a price break the first 4 weeks to get things going and do some advertising. On 2 different venues, the owners tried to reneg on the post-4 week price and started to offer me drinks/food and throw an extra $20 my way, but i stuck to my guns and got what i originally agreed to- making sure it was worded professionally and politely.

Thinking one would be inclined to receive a TIP from a private party isn't bad, as most party planners expect to give one, although not always.
Expecting to get a TIP from a bar owner isn't too wise IMHO UNLESS you've either ROCKED a party and the reason the z-tape increased was mostly because of your service, or because the owner wants to ENTICE you and put your services on RETAINER in the future. Also, if you've stayed longer or gone above and beyond what was expected.

I tend to get tips from the owners currently with offers of free food anytime of the week, and i do go by with friends from time to time.

I already get compensated for the overtime work i do, although if it's slow, i am NOT required to work that overtime.

It sounds to me that you are being TIPPED as a private party service for now and being appreciated. If you become a regular weekly service, that appreciation will most likely wain over time (familiarity) so maybe you should lock-in a rate that will satisfy both you and the owner, but charge a little "more" for holidays, if possible.

If I stay over for an hour I get $50, but I consider that as part of pay not a tip.

Every Christmas the bar owner gives me a gift and a check for $50-$100.

I've always volunteered to do the Christmas Party for free and I supposed that is the reason he does it. He doesn't have to do it, so I appreciate it greatly.

I think it is rare to receive a tip from an bar owner. You must be doing an excellent job!

Congrats !

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I agree with the others. For a client to tip you, you must be doing one hell of a job! Woowooo!! YAYYY YOU!

I work a regular bar for almost 50% of all weekends. and 50% at another regular bar. This is because my agent is trying to keep both camps happy as they both want me at their joint. Unfortunately - NEITHER of them have ever tipped me although I know for a fact that I do bring in more business for them.

I have received sizeable tips from patrons, just NEVER the person that is paying the bill. The only advantage is, my agent has negotiated 'double pay' on all public holidays. Makes up for all the tips they never paid me

Cheers all!

Vic in Sydney.

The only times I've gotten tipped have been at weddings. Now occasionally I have had the customers pass the hat to keep me an extra hour, but nope I've never had the bar pay me anything extra.

A hearty congratulations LetItRip -- you must put on a great show!

I agree, that seems to be what's going on, and you're probably right. I could probably negotiate a deal that would make me more affordable and get me more gigs there. However in this case I'm actually happy the way it is. He likes to do Karaoke on Saturday nights. I can't really book a regular weekly Saturday night gig because of my commitments to the production company to mix for the bands on weekends. It works out nice when he calls because we find a date that he needs that I have no band show and it works as a good fill-in. He gets a good show that usually brings in a good number of people and I get to make income and have fun on a night when I had nothing else planned.




Those are my favorite. I used to play at a hotel on an occasional basis. It was about an hour from here and my first show there was on New Years Eve, so the booker included a hotel room in addition to my fee. Well that night went well so he started bringing me back and each time it was a Saturday night with a free room included. Was really nice because the club got locked up after the show so I didn't have to tear down and load out after the show. I was able to leave it all in the club and then go down in the morning after a good night's sleep to tear it down and load out. Unfortunately while the club was doing well, the rest of the hotel wasn't so that show went away, I sure miss it!!

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke