All of us here can stand to improve our shows. There's always room for some kind of improvement. In the interest of Randy Bartlett's '1% Solution' (small, easy to implement changes which will create completely different results), let's all brainstorm and come up with, and implement, just 1 small thing that will create different (and hopefully better) results for all of us at our shows.

I'm completely prepared for the sarcastic comments, but maybe in between them we can actually come up with ideas that will be useful to others as well as ourselves.

Communication.

I speak to every bar owner or manager and several staff and patrons at every venue, every week. I usually know about issues before they have a chance to arise.

* A Smile is the only 1% you'll ever need. It's available in all languages worldwide.

All of us here can stand to improve our shows.

That's a pretty blanket statement. I love when someone can speak for everyone and decide what all of us need to do. If you feel your show needs improvement, then fix it up. But don't assume that all of us need improvement.

Sounds like a great idea Chris.
Out of curiosity, because I know there is more to these conversations then just the usual generic questions and answers, what type of more specific info are you seeking in these conversations?

I didn't say 'everyone's shows need improvement.' What AM saying is, even in some small aspect, there's ALWAYS room for improvement. Every one of us could do 1 small thing to make our shows even just 1% better somehow, either for the venue, the singers, the non-singing patrons, ourselves, our equipment, our music, training, speaking, MC'ing...

I'll say it again, just so it's clear: I did NOT say, 'everyone's shows need improvement.'

To say one could not do 1 small thing to improve their shows smacks of being self-absorbed, arrogant, egotistical, conceited, even lazy.

No one's show is perfect. And no, I didn't say anyone else said that. *I* am saying that. A show could be the best one's ever seen, but is there still room for some small improvement? Yes. Always yes. It's how we get better; it's how we improve.

So, you either have a suggestion that you think may help someone improve their show, or you do not.

Some of the owners/managers/staff/patrons are friendlier than others. For those I know more about their personal lives (spouses, children and other family) so we chat about those types of things in addition to business. I have even had a few over to my place and been to theirs.

I always ask about the previous week - How were sales? Any incidents of note? Did my people start on time? Anything we could have done better or different?

Then I ask about the upcoming week - Any special events we need to be aware of? (parties, reunions, etc) Any televised events that other patrons will want to watch that may delay the start of karaoke? Holidays? Anything they need?

Then, depending on the venue and the last time we updated posters and other marketing - Do we need new posters? Do you they want to do any special promotions? Anything else of notice?

I also pick up lists of song requests though most simply text me these days.

The key word that is missing is "If"

Where is it missing from?

I didn't say 'everyone's shows need improvement.' What AM saying is, even in some small aspect, there's ALWAYS room for improvement. Every one of us could do 1 small thing to make our shows even just 1% better somehow, either for the venue, the singers, the non-singing patrons, ourselves, our equipment, our music, training, speaking, MC'ing...

I'll say it again, just so it's clear: I did NOT say, 'everyone's shows need improvement.'

To say one could not do 1 small thing to improve their shows smacks of being self-absorbed, arrogant, egotistical, conceited, even lazy.

No one's show is perfect. And no, I didn't say anyone else said that. *I* am saying that. A show could be the best one's ever seen, but is there still room for some small improvement? Yes. Always yes. It's how we get better; it's how we improve.

So, you either have a suggestion that you think may help someone improve their show, or you do not.