Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums :: Kj looking for work

Around here, there is supposedly a covenant that KJ's don't step on other KJ's feet; in other words, KJs don't steal shows from other KJs. That's a freaking joke. Of all of the KJs in my town, I think there's only one that hasn't bad mouthed me to my bar owners at one time or another.

My business approach is different. I will absolutely pitch my services to every bar in the area - and I'm honest about it. What I won't do is bad mouth the other KJ. Most bar owners that have had karaoke at one time or another have been and continue to be visited by KJs who go on and on about how good they are and how much better they are than the known KJ. And, many of those owners have been burned or they're sick of hearing it, so they turn a deaf ear. I get better results with a professional sales pitch that doesn't bad mouth another KJ.

Had a KJ come in last night (supposedly with 28 years of experience in the area - had no clue who he was). Anyway, he came in, pitched a fit about the sound level, cussed me out, threw my mic down (which I found strange coming from another KJ) and proceeded to tell my bar owner how terrible I was. That fell upon deaf ears as she looked around a packed bar with a dance floor full of people who were incited into action by me and the music I was playing.

Anyway, don't buy into the honor system amongst KJs. In reality, it doesn't exist.

Author:	DJIDAZ [ Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:20 am ]
Post subject:	Kj looking for work
I just wanted to get everyones opinion on looking for a gig. If you're a karaoke enthusiast and you go into a bar and notice the show is pretty plain, system is subpar, and everything about you just know you can do such a better job. Would you ever undercut a fellow kj and market his or her bar? Or would you say I have the respect for the fellow kj and I'll just look for a place that currently does not have karaoke.

Author:	kjathena [ Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:25 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
we drop off our marketing materials to all venues...but we would never undercut a fellow KJ. We simply state if anything changes and you need someone please give us a call. We do prefer to find "virgin" venues however as then we do not have to overcome any issues that may have developed.( they are harder to find however)

Author:	Lonman [ Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:51 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
I won't purposely undercut anyone. I may come in the next day (never during a show in progress) & show what I have to offer - but at my price. If it happens to be lower than what they are paying - so be it, that is what I charge flat rate, discounts included for multiple nights in a row. If it's too much for them, then we move on our way.

Author:	JoeChartreuse [ Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
I never attempt to sell my services that already has a host- period. Not my style. On the other hand, I DO keep a close eye on these venues, and when any change is noted I don't mind being the first one there- AFTER the old host is gone...

Author:	chrisavis [ Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
Same - When I approach a bar and find they have karaoke, I say outright that I am not interested in taking someone's gig from them. I leave my card and tell them to give me a call if anything changes. I picked up a wedding reception exactly this way. -Chris

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Author:	TroyVnd27 [ Sun Jul 29, 2012 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
Around here, there is supposedly a covenant that KJ's don't step on other KJ's feet; in other words, KJs don't steal shows from other KJs. That's a freaking joke. Of all of the KJs in my town, I think there's only one that hasn't bad mouthed me to my bar owners at one time or another. My business approach is different. I will absolutely pitch my services to every bar in the area - and I'm honest about it. What I won't do is bad mouth the other KJ. Most bar owners that have had karaoke at one time or another have been and continue to be visited by KJs who go on and on about how good they are and how much better they are than the known KJ. And, many of those owners have been burned or they're sick of hearing it, so they turn a deaf ear. I get better results with a professional sales pitch that doesn't bad mouth another KJ. Had a KJ come in last night (supposedly with 28 years of experience in the area - had no clue who he was). Anyway, he came in, pitched a fit about the sound level, cussed me out, threw my mic down (which I found strange coming from another KJ) and proceeded to tell my bar owner how terrible I was. That fell upon deaf ears as she looked around a packed bar with a dance floor full of people who were incited into action by me and the music I was playing. Anyway, don't buy into the honor system amongst KJs. In reality, it doesn't exist.

Author:	Vince Prince [ Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
DJIDAZ wrote: Would you ever undercut a fellow kj and market his or her bar? Never purposely undercut another KJ. That's the kind of thing that makes it hard on the industry as a whole. You should be trying to think of ways to make MORE money, not less money. Bar owners are already trying to pay as little as possible. Please don't undercut anyone. It's not good for the industry... and in the long run, it's not good for you either. If you truly think you are better than this other KJ, then tell the owner you are better and why you think you are better. Then tell him your price and let the chips fall where they may. Hopefully, your price is the same as the other kj or higher, but I would hope not lower.

Author:	ripman8 [ Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
TroyVnd27 wrote: Around here, there is supposedly a covenant that KJ's don't step on other KJ's feet; in other words, KJs don't steal shows from other KJs. That's a freaking joke. Of all of the KJs in my town, I think there's only one that hasn't bad mouthed me to my bar owners at one time or another. My business approach is different. I will absolutely pitch my services to every bar in the area - and I'm honest about it. What I won't do is bad mouth the other KJ. Most bar owners that have had karaoke at one time or another have been and continue to be visited by KJs who go on and on about how good they are and how much better they are than the known KJ. And, many of those owners have been burned or they're sick of hearing it, so they turn a deaf ear. I get better results with a professional sales pitch that doesn't bad mouth another KJ. Had a KJ come in last night (supposedly with 28 years of experience in the area - had no clue who he was). Anyway, he came in, pitched a fit about the sound level, cussed me out, threw my mic down (which I found strange coming from another KJ) and proceeded to tell my bar owner how terrible I was. That fell upon deaf ears as she looked around a packed bar with a dance floor full of people who were incited into action by me and the music I was playing. Anyway, don't buy into the honor system amongst KJs. In reality, it doesn't exist. It can exist. I've co existed with 3 other DJ's and one of them is pretty good at karaoke. I just covered for him Friday night. We have each other's back throw gigs each others way. Having said that, I'm not currently in the market with my upcoming move but in the past and planning the same in the future, I don't care if they have karaoke or not, it's business and I will pitch my business in a professional manner. This isn't a communist country and competition is what drives our system. Doesn't mean I'm in it to undercut and I think Lonnie's approach is how I look at it.

Author:	Lonman [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:38 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
I agree with Rip, I work with SEVERAL kj's that I can refer & they recipricate back to me. No not all are honorable, but you can find those that are and work with them. Plus many of those kj's come to my shows on their off nights when they want to sing.

Author:	birdofsong [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:37 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
There's no reason ever to badmouth another KJ. If they stink, the bar is going to know it. Just pitch yourself and give them your information and if they decide they want a change they'll call you. Badmouthing only makes you look bad. They aren't going to think less of their current KJ because of anything you say.

Author:	ed g [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:47 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
In my area , those of us who are running "legal" have kind of had each others backs for years. We've not only covered for each other, we have worked as each others companies on occasion. We've called each other if a bar the other was working called us about replacing a problem , and told private parties inquires the others phone numbers if we were booked on specific days. Now anyone who doesn't own it is not only fair game but we have booked each other in those places if we don't have system available. I have 2 , and the other guys have 2 and 3 systems and we've all been at it for over 20 years. We all stop in occasionally at each others shows on a day off. If any of us sing at the others show we are announced as Fred. It has become a running joke with us.

Author:	mightywiz [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 8:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
yeah, i don't have a problem if the bar is running pirated karaoke. i will go in and let them know and offer my services. if it's another legit karaoke which in our area, there about 3 legal hosts, i don't mess with them but if the venue approaches me then it's a different story. but really if i wanted to do more bar karaoke then i would jump on every chance, but with a past back surgery and having to take someone with me to help setup and tear down, i just rather do the private parties and weddings. they are more money and less work then dealing with the bar seen.

Author:	DJIDAZ [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
A lot of good information. With pirates I would not mind taking them out because myself and a lot of you have spent thousands of dollars on building a library. I do agree with market to all bars but never bad mouth anothe legal host. What I'm actually doing is doing the first show for free because as a lot of you said everyone says they have the best system , hell I was at a show recently with a host with a blown out speakers saying he has the best sound system around. I would never lower my price just because I want to host a show you get what you pay for but in the meantime let's get rid of pirates talked to sound choice today and was telling me how Phoenix is one of the biggest markets they are cracking down on

Author:	GeminiMALE40 [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
JoeChartreuse wrote: I never attempt to sell my services that already has a host- period. Not my style. On the other hand, I DO keep a close eye on these venues, and when any change is noted I don't mind being the first one there- AFTER the old host is gone... I Agree...you wouldnt want someone to do it to you....so I would go find another place...besides it means MORE karaoke in the area

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Author:	ripman8 [ Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:53 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Kj looking for work
GeminiMALE40 wrote: JoeChartreuse wrote: I never attempt to sell my services that already has a host- period. Not my style. On the other hand, I DO keep a close eye on these venues, and when any change is noted I don't mind being the first one there- AFTER the old host is gone... I Agree...you wouldnt want someone to do it to you....so I would go find another place...besides it means MORE karaoke in the area I might not want someone to do it to me, but it will happen. It's business. I don't have a problem with someone hyping their business with a venue I am at. It's strictly business. I know it's going to happen and that's what helps America not get monopolized, it shouldn't be everywhere BUT in the world of karaoke. As long as it is done in a professional manner and no shady dealings whatsoever, so be it. Having said that, I've sent out flyers to bars (yes some with hosts already) letting them know of my business and also to educate them regarding understanding the pirate issue. Now would I send out a flyer to a bar where my best friend hosts? Probably not. It is what it is.