Karaoke Forums

Have you found partnerships to be impossible to make work?

It's just like marriage.  Some work and some don't.   Money is involved so that makes it even harder.  Who's paying more than the other?  Who's doing more work?

Why do you need or want a partner?

The worst partnership is with a friend or a relative.

I've been involved in a number of partnerships in different businesses over the years, and they all failed. Would never do it again.

I am involved in a very successful partnership in my business, which is not karaoke. We have been going strong for over 6 years now.

You need someone you can respect and trust. And you both have to be honest. That is not always easy to find, so a lot of partnerships fail. Or so I hear.

I entered into it because I had been a "lone wolf" consultant before. (Built up the business and sold it.) It is very difficult to be on your own when you have clients calling on you all the time, because it seems like you can never get away. When I started my next business I said I wouldn't do it unless I found a partner to share that load. I did, and it is the best thing I ever did. But my first choice of a partner, in retrospect, would have been a disaster. He wasn't honest enough. He is a good guy, but sometimes he fudges a bit. And you can't have that, or you destroy trust.

I've been involved in partnerships in bands for over 20 years. Some have been very rewarding and successful. Some - mostly early on - could be rocky with temper flare-ups more typical of being young.

I've never seen the need for a partner in karaoke. I don't see any obvious advantage in having two hosts when, unlike my bands,  karaoke is not about you but mostly all about them (the room). It's easy to do by yourself, and there's barely enough money in it for just one. At least for me in my small room.

There was a karaoke duo in my area for awhile. They eventually had some problems. When they split up the business there were some buyout issues. And who was to get the home room. So if you go down that road make sure you have an agreement beforehand as to how to dissolve.

Which always happens eventually. Even if it's a good working partnership. There's always a beginning and an end.

Ditto that comment

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[glow=darkorchid]All of us get lost in the darkness, dreamers learn to steer by the stars[/glow]

A 50:50 partnership is difficult; some one need to be the boss. A 51:49 is a more workable partnership.

Except in the case of marriage partnerships, it should be more like 80:20, so there is no question of who is the boss.

(female:male)

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[glow=darkorchid]All of us get lost in the darkness, dreamers learn to steer by the stars[/glow]

20:80, I say

I've had a couple of partners. It really depends on your personality if a partnership is going to work. If you're both Alpha types... then it will probably fail.

The biggest problem I had with my first partner is he was a "showman", but had only basic skills as a KJ/DJ. All too soon when I was learning the ropes I found myself at odds with what he was doing.

My last partner was terrific. Tig is a member here. There's no secrets. I'm certain he still feels I'm lacking in certain skills, but I found myself growing in skills and attitude with my association with him. I certainly don't regret that decision.

With karaoke i partnered with an ex girlfriend for awhile and things went really well. She brought in alot of repeat business with just her sunny disposition and attractiveness. It lasted 2 years and was the most fun i've had at karaoke so far because of the synergy and same-goal mentality we shared.

With deejaying, i try to engage my 2 employees and 45 subs as "partners" in the way i treat them. Always asking them what they think about every event, how the next one can be improved upon, and making sure they are compensated well above the competition- it makes them loyal to me without having to get them to sign an exclusivity contract- which most would refuse anyways.

Also sending them occasional thank-you cards and gift certificates throughout the year makes the relationships more personal.

Sometimes i let a regular singer whom i trust co-host a show with me to mix things up. They'll do the next singer announcement and help with songs, but i won't let anyone else touch the equipment or have any liquids anywhere near the table -i've had beer-cdgs mishaps before and they're no fun to clean up!

Joe (husband) and I have shared our karaoke business since its inception - we each have our own shows and at times we've been up to 6 nights a week. He'd do 3, I'd do 3, the one not on the stage is out socializing, being available to answer questions about song manus, finding songs for people who don't understand filing/alphabetization, etc. This is particularly beneficial when you have someone new pop in - the 2-minute conversation getting acquainted with them really makes them feel important.

The couple method of hosting has caught on in our area and it seems to work very well. And I'm glad to be able to just enjoy the crowd and getting to sing once in a while myself on the nights I'm not hosting.

I'm not sure I'd try partnering with a non-relative - that can get tricky. I'd be hard pressed to find someone I'd trust with my equipment, to maintain it as well as Joe does.

K

My wife and I have been working togather doing karaoke and Dj from the giddy up go and I can't even think of doing a show without her. I run the sound board and work the crowd. She takes the slips, keep the rotation straight and helps people find songs in the book this alone is worth her weight in gold.

First marriage failures are over 50%.   I would assume business partnerships could be that high or higher.

If you believe every religion.    

GOD has no partner.     AS it is, it shall be.

Well that makes a lot of sense then - we're both on 2nd marriage! Guess we'll have a chance of success (after working together for 12 years)....

K

Higher failure rate for seconds...

Every married couple i know that has done karaoke together has split up.

facts are meaningless without the source to back it up...

just like every single thing you talk about.

Do you want the divorce records?

AMEN!  :hi5: What a maroon!...as bugs would say...