Karaoke Forums

Yes, I know it is a carnal sin to do any advertising for a bar...that is their responsibility not yours.  You are there to entertain the crowd, not draw the crowd.  

BUT.... With competition the way it is, it may help give an edge.  Not to mention, it will also support you in the end and should draw more potential business for yourself if done right.  

I'll be providing professional 11x17 posters to the bars advertising karaoke and drink specials, along with running ads in the paper.  When I book at least 4 gigs, i'll switch over to a display ad in a smaller paper that advertises MY business and the bars I gig at with the drink specials.  In the end, it is advertising for both.

Yes this will take from your bottom line for each show.

What are your feelings on the issue?

It's not a cardinal sin IMO.  You shouldn't directly advertise for the bar, however you SHOULD advertise YOUR shows & list where they can be found & maybe any kind of specials the bar is offering on your karaoke nights.  I promote my shows heavily, but that includes promoting the bar I work as the nights that I work there.
On the same line, the bar should be advertising themselves as well, any special events/promos/entertianment/etc.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Yes, that is essentially what I meant.  Thanks for putting it into better words.

I've actually found that the 'paid' print ads don't generate as much as they cost.  I used to advertise in our local karaoke guide which is a monthly release, I rarely got any new singers stating they came in because of that.  The majority of our new singers when I ask how they heard about us, said they found us through a Google (or equivalent) search & find my website.  I do alot of promoting on any free site I can - as a matter of fact I think there was a thread just started that is similar.
http://karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=13361

There are alot of free alternatives out there, not saying they all work, but the more you get your name & the club name out there, you just have to do some searching for them.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Craiglist Events Page - FREE, takes just a few minutes to post, and people read it.

I'm sure someone will have a quick retort to this one ... have at it.

k

Craiglist is free?  Learn something new everyday.  Have a link for your ads?  Or pm me an example if you don't want to post here.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

After i ran ads in the paper (I paid) for the bars (without asking them if i could or should) ASCAP/BMI started coming to all of them, like a magnet.

I stopped advertising.  If they want to turn themselves in they can run the ads.