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spinoff:The INCREASING Value of a Karaoke Show https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22525 |
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Author: | twansenne [ Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:01 pm ] |
Post subject: | spinoff:The INCREASING Value of a Karaoke Show |
Just spinning off of the thread "The Declining Value of a Karaoke Show" viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22486 I think a LOT of ppl are looking at it wrong. If the economy is bad, and you can make a venue more money, then it is time for a price INCREASE. The problem is trying to get that message across to bar owners/managers. For me I have increased my prices for bar gigs, at first because I wanted to get out of the bar gigs, but they keep booking me, because I can keep a crowd at the bar spending $$$. I also have increased prices for private parties, and a big increase on wedding gigs. I decide this after attending a few weddings in recent history and discovering that a lot of wedding DJs in my area are crap, and charge too much. I always though I was charging too much, and didn't want to lose gigs, but I realize my mistake. I am worth paying the extra $$$$ on, and if ppl don't realize that, then I don't want to work for them. So again, if you are worth it CHARGE MORE! |
Author: | JoeChartreuse [ Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:56 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: spinoff:The INCREASING Value of a Karaoke Show |
I don't worry so much about increase and decrease because my fee is flexible on formula. A small bar in a quiet area on a Tuesday night will not make what a larger venue in a high traffic area on a Friday or Saturday will. Even if I fill it, there are simply less patrons in a smaller bar. That doesn't mean that I don't set a minimum limit and raise THAT from time to time. If the min can't or won't be met, I move on to the next venue. The thing is, flexibility is important to the financial success of all around. I would like to add that it is just as important for a host to CHOOSE a venue. So many KJs will take any venue that's offered regardless of fit. The host's power of choice is just as important as the venues'. An example is a venue that I actually do twice a week ( an exception to my rule of never working more than one night per week at any venue). I specialize in higher end restaurant bars (more money, more pleasant clientele), and this one definitely ain't it. It holds around 200, and when I got there it was essentially a big dive full of drinkers just coming of age. I've worked this type of bar many times over the decades, and figured that I was done with it. The reason I went there was that the owner of another venue that I worked was a friend of this one's and asked me to go in as a favor. My plan was to do my six week min and run. I'm in my third year there now... OK, the point. Despite it being a favor to start, I STILL wouldn't have gone in even for 6 weeks, except that it's only 8 blocks from my house. Convenience is nice. Then I got lucky. Instead of the kids, singers from my other venues started coming in and spreading the word. The result was the displacement of the 8 dollar /pitcher cheap beer special drinkers with more profitable older mixed drink cocktail drinkers- end less behavior problems. This and top pay made it a keeper, but the pay alone wouldn't have kept me for 3 years. Another tiny place offered to pay my minimum, but the place was so small that It simply couldn't fit enough people to make anyone any money- pass. Where I won't work- please keep in mind that this strictly my personal preference- no knock on others: I won't work a venue where there is anything in the same room that detracts from the entertainment/karaoke. Pool table/ or other game table in the same room? Pass. I won't work rabid sports bars. I don't think singers want to compete with screaming drunks yelling at the TV. Can a venue be too big? For me, yes. The way I host includes a lot of customerer contact. Too big can be too impersonal. I once worked a NYC club that held 1000. Had to work from a booth on top of that. I did my 6 week min, found them another host, and ran like hell- even though the pay was stupendous. Not my style. I need more intimacy to do my best work. I could do it as a DJ- but that would bore me to tears. My point here is that for truly long term shows, the venue has to fit YOU, the host. I believe that when the host is comfortable and happy, it shows, and makes the night better for all. |
Author: | ggardein [ Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:59 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: spinoff:The INCREASING Value of a Karaoke Show |
For all we know, you might have been charging $10/hr before the increase.........need more imput.... |
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