Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums :: Poaching your supper

A bit unusual I know but I am.

Do any of you here regard (offering yourself as a host to a venue that already has a host for twice the fee their current host is charging) as poaching?
Could it in any way be classed as poor practice?
Thank you in anticipation.

it's business, if they venue hire's you then the host they had must not be doing a good enough job.

I walk into a place a they all know I run karaoke, if the owner wants me to replace another host that's great for me!

and I have no problems with that. and you shouldn't either.

How do they all know you run Karaoke? Do you wear a sign? Perhaps you carry your equipment in with you.

I had an offer from a bar before where I got more then the current host. Not double though.

And just FYI, I was called by them, I did not make the first move on this gig. Even though a few of you think it is okay to offer your service to places that already have Karaoke and it's just business, I don't concur with this.

I just think it's tacky and gives you a bad reputation even though there might be nothing wrong with it. This spreads quite fast in the local Karaoke scene. That's why I stay away from places that already have a Karaoke night,

Now if they approach me because of word of mouth etc. then it's a different story.

I like your approach better. In my area, I know most of the other KJs. We go to each other's shows, and are friends. I couldn't picture myself going to another show and trying to take it from the current host. To me that is a bit slimy. I don't know, maybe if you don't know the other KJ and have never had any dealings with him/her, but if you know each other it's just kind of low. They need to eat, too.

You know, I used to be that way too until I had several places that I didn't contact because they had an existing show. Next thing I know, they have a new host and I'm still not the one with it. Every other business in the world competes for business, what the heck is sacred about a DJ or karaoke gig? That's ridiculous not to try and grow your business just because somebody already has a venue. What will you do? Wait until they get fired or die to free the venue up...

Author:	jerry12x [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 3:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Poaching your supper
A bit unusual I know but I am. Do any of you here regard (offering yourself as a host to a venue that already has a host for twice the fee their current host is charging) as poaching? Could it in any way be classed as poor practice? Thank you in anticipation.

Author:	purpletib [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
What reason would a bar pay you twice the price? They may just see it as trolling.

Author:	twansenne [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Nope, it is business

Author:	Smoothedge69 [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
jerry12x wrote: A bit unusual I know but I am. Do any of you here regard (offering yourself as a host to a venue that already has a host for twice the fee their current host is charging) as poaching? Could it in any way be classed as poor practice? Thank you in anticipation. You probably won't get the gig, AND you will make an enemy.

Author:	mightywiz [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
it's business, if they venue hire's you then the host they had must not be doing a good enough job. I walk into a place a they all know I run karaoke, if the owner wants me to replace another host that's great for me! and I have no problems with that. and you shouldn't either.

Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/

Poaching your supper https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28442	Page 1 of 3

Author:	Smoothedge69 [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:38 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
mightywiz wrote: it's business, if they venue hire's you then the host they had must not be doing a good enough job. I walk into a place a they all know I run karaoke, if the owner wants me to replace another host that's great for me! and I have no problems with that. and you shouldn't either. How do they all know you run Karaoke? Do you wear a sign? Perhaps you carry your equipment in with you.

Author:	Cueball [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Smoothedge69 wrote: How do they all know you run Karaoke? Do you wear a sign? Perhaps you carry your equipment in with you. Perhaps he lives in a small town "Where Everybody Knows Your Name."

Author:	Lonman [ Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
I've heard of going in under the current rate but never over the current rate (or at least that is a rarity). Business is business, however if you go in for cheaper you damn well better be able to produce the same (preferably better) results. Going in for a lower rate and not knowing what you are doing is sure death. I've experienced that first hand!

Author:	timberlea [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:49 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
For those who think it's wrong to "poach" a gig, how much do you want to bet that Pepsi would love to poach Coke's contract with McDonald's. Competition happens all the time in business with companies trying to get another companys' business.

Author:	cliffd64 [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
its a slippery slope... Regulars are likely to be loyal to previous host... And in today's world of social media you'd be a huge target of discussion. It's better to let the owners make a move on their own. Letting them know you are available should they need you is one thing, but poaching is often dangerous unless the customers are clamoring for a change...

Author:	Lonman [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:11 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Host loyalty isn't as common as it once was. If a club has karaoke & people like the club, it wouldn't matter who they had in for host, people would still come to the club. A handful might follow the host to another show. It isn't like the 90's when there wasn't a whole lot of choices and if you wanted karaoke, you had to stay with certain hosts.

Author:	MrBoo [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
The times I boomed, there were great bartenders. Every time things dropped off, there were crappy bartenders. I'm not gonna say it's all about the bar service\quality, but I will say even the best host is going to have a tough time if people aren't getting what they want and when they want it from the bar.

Author:	Alex [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
I had an offer from a bar before where I got more then the current host. Not double though. And just FYI, I was called by them, I did not make the first move on this gig. Even though a few of you think it is okay to offer your service to places that already have Karaoke and it's just business, I don't concur with this. I just think it's tacky and gives you a bad reputation even though there might be nothing wrong with it. This spreads quite fast in the local Karaoke scene. That's why I stay away from places that already have a Karaoke night, Now if they approach me because of word of mouth etc. then it's a different story.

Author:	Smoothedge69 [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:52 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Alex wrote: I had an offer from a bar before where I got more then the current host. Not double though. And just FYI, I was called by them, I did not make the first move on this gig. Even though a few of you think it is okay to offer your service to places that already have Karaoke and it's just business, I don't concur with this. I just think it's tacky and gives you a bad reputation even though there might be nothing wrong with it. This spreads quite fast in the local Karaoke scene. That's why I stay away from places that already have a Karaoke night, Now if they approach me because of word of mouth etc. then it's a different story. I like your approach better. In my area, I know most of the other KJs. We go to each other's shows, and are friends. I couldn't picture myself going to another show and trying to take it from the current host. To me that is a bit slimy. I don't know, maybe if you don't know the other KJ and have never had any dealings with him/her, but if you know each other it's just kind of low. They need to eat, too.

Page 1 of 3	All times are UTC - 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group https://www.phpbb.com/

Author:	MrBoo [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:53 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Some pitch taking on other nights, just to get their foot in the door.

Author:	Alex [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Smoothedge69 wrote: I like your approach better. In my area, I know most of the other KJs. We go to each other's shows, and are friends. I couldn't picture myself going to another show and trying to take it from the current host. To me that is a bit slimy. I don't know, maybe if you don't know the other KJ and have never had any dealings with him/her, but if you know each other it's just kind of low. They need to eat, too. Same here, we (KJ's) pretty much know each other and help each other out (covering gigs) etc. I just don't want that kind of reputation on my sleeve. To add, when I do get approached by a venue that already offers Karaoke, I always try to contact the existing KJ, too. Just to see what the story is. And they do the same thing the other way around. It's just better in my opinion to stick together instead of cutting each other's throat. Helps with the pricing too by the way...

Author:	Smoothedge69 [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:03 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Alex wrote: Same here, we (KJ's) pretty much know each other and help each other out (covering gigs) etc. I just don't want that kind of reputation on my sleeve. To add, when I do get approached by a venue that already offers Karaoke, I always try to contact the existing KJ, too. Just to see what the story is. And they do the same thing the other way around. It's just better in my opinion to stick together instead of cutting each other's throat. Helps with the pricing too by the way...[/quote] Some will say that you can't be a real business person without being a cut throat arse. .

Author:	rickgood [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
Alex wrote: I had an offer from a bar before where I got more then the current host. Not double though. And just FYI, I was called by them, I did not make the first move on this gig. Even though a few of you think it is okay to offer your service to places that already have Karaoke and it's just business, I don't concur with this. I just think it's tacky and gives you a bad reputation even though there might be nothing wrong with it. This spreads quite fast in the local Karaoke scene. That's why I stay away from places that already have a Karaoke night, Now if they approach me because of word of mouth etc. then it's a different story. You know, I used to be that way too until I had several places that I didn't contact because they had an existing show. Next thing I know, they have a new host and I'm still not the one with it. Every other business in the world competes for business, what the heck is sacred about a DJ or karaoke gig? That's ridiculous not to try and grow your business just because somebody already has a venue. What will you do? Wait until they get fired or die to free the venue up...

Author:	chrisavis [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
I used to have a personal policy of walking away from clubs where there was already a karaoke program. Now, if I believe they are pirating materials I will go ahead and make a pitch. I leave legit hosts alone. Hard enough for people to stay employed these days without people trying to take gigs away. -Chris

Author:	Smoothedge69 [ Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Poaching your supper
rickgood wrote: You know, I used to be that way too until I had several places that I didn't contact because they had an existing show. Next thing I know, they have a new host and I'm still not the one with it. Every other business in the world competes for business, what the heck is sacred about a DJ or karaoke gig? That's ridiculous not to try and grow your business just because somebody already has a venue. What will you do? Wait until they get fired or die to free the venue up... I'm not one to screw my friends. I have sung at most of the shows in the area. I am close friends with a few of the KJs in the area, and one I do fill-ins for. Just not going to screw any of them out of a job. That is what is sacred.