Karaoke Forums

OK, I'm definitely a newbie when it comes to getting gigs for money. Down here in Florida the competition is tough. There's 2 kj's fpr every gig and since I'm new to the business what's my angle? I have superior equipment and tons of experience entertaining people (17 years in the auctioneering business). I have thousands of top quality songs and many good ideas for my shows.

So...... How do I get in the door??????

I'm in a similar situation and in Florida too.

Unfortunately the solution is some hard work. You and I both need to visit a bunch of local bars, restaurants, Elks clubs, VFWs etc. and talk to the people who are in charge of entertainment. I believe it's a numbers game. Go to 10 places, talk to 5 people, get 2 return appointments, maybe get one gig. These aren't the actual numbers, just an example.

You may have to do some low paying gigs at first or even some freebies to get your foot in the door. Once you've done some you can start doing some additional marketing like a web site, myspace page, craig's list, local networking groups and other things. I have been doing member appreciation events at my health club every two months because I didn't make it a secret what I do. They hired me and have been very pleased. I get free membership for myself and my wife and have made some contacts that have resulted in paying music jobs.

Getting in the door and getting started are the hardest part. After that it's having fun and getting paid to do something that you enjoy.

PR PR PR PR!!! Sales Sales Sales!! Sell with the same enthusiasm that you do with auctioneering Do it with confidence but let them know you are in a learning curve.... Maybe hire an experinced KJ and give them half. Research the prospective bars and only talk to mngrs or owners with a consult appointment..

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even though I have been entertaining for some years now, I still do the odd freebie...because I have always rated myself to get a gig from a gig.
So while you are in front of these bar owners make them an offer. Say to them that you will do a night for free so long as they take care of promoting it...make a deal that they do the advertising and if it is a success then you talk again to work out the frequency of gig and the cost to employ you
just make sure that they bar owner lives up to his side of the bargain and does promote the night...plus you bring in your own rent a crowd without him knowing

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Another idea is to go for private gigs.

A lot of people don’t go to bars and don’t enjoy karaoke that way,

so if you do a private party, the other people there will only know you as their karaoke guy/gal, and hire you to do their parties.

They can be very fun.

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

Private parties are your bread and butter.. You are building a customer base for years to come.

And you know you are getting old when they are old enough and start showing up in your bar!!

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I am currently "working" - and I offer as a special for new customers - Karaoke Shows for tips. It benefits us both. I get exposure and some cash, he gets free entertainment while the business builds up (which will take time).

Hello! I got into the business a couple of months ago. I have 2 different gigs (but business conditions are better here in the sticks)

When you finally get a meeting, make it clear that it takes time to build business, and get them to agree.

Something like "trial basis... give me 6 weeks, one night per week"

When the talk turns to money, start high and say that during the trial period, you'll cut them a break.

Ex: "How much?" "Eventually, I want to be at 150, but let's start at 100 and meet again after 6 weeks"

If the first couple of nights are really dead, I'll knock off about 25% on the spot. That impresses them.

Take notes during the meeting and tell them you'll make a copy for them so there's a record of what you discussed (unless you want to do a contract. I opted for the hand-shake method)

Good luck! -Randy

Thanks for all the responses everybody. I knew it wasn't going to be easy but perhaps doing a couple free gigs will give me the open door I'm looking for. I'm hitting the streets all next week..... WISH ME LUCK!!!!

I wouldn't do a free gig in a bar. I do them for churches, parks, things like that. People automatically started asking me if I did it elsewhere, and I said "no" until last week.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Footwork is the answer. Push yourself, go bar to bar, don't do freebies but do deals.

As some already stated, charge something, at least like, $50.

I don’t see an advantage to saying that you’re not worth anything.

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

This is just an idea:

Bars are worried about the bottom dollar. Are you going to bring more people in than someone else would? and make them more money.

If you are going to do a gig for less money, how about suggesting this.

I will work ___ amount of gigs for $50. With the money you are saving by me doing this you can offer $100 give away at the end of the night. This way you'll not only have the crowd I would bring in normally, you would draw more people here that may not normally come in. This way you'll build new bigger clientel.

It may not work, it was just an idea that popped in my head.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Good idea Babs!

I'm wondering other than footwork, do any of you have success with other forms of advertisment, like the Yellow Pages or websites?

I know this is all down to getting your first gig, and then it being a success but...

2 words that you should live by:

BUSINESS CARDS

I get about 4 card requests per gig, and about 50/50 they turn into bookings.

As such, I am looking to do something a bit more special with my next round of cards.

Yellow pages are a waste of money, considering they cost huge amounts ($500.00 or more per month) and are declining in effectiveness. I have had two local long-established businesses come to me asking what they can do to replace yellow pages, because they simply weren't working anymore. People are using the web to find things.

With regard to the web, I don't think it can hurt at all to have some sort of a page or entry that will show up when you do a search like "karaoke near podunk, ia". I know I don't like to find DJs when I do that search, because I am looking for karaoke shows. But there are quite a few that show up that way.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I agree, yellow pages are a waste of time nower days. I personally throw them in the trash as soon as they are delivered to my house. I haven't found a way to cancel delivery yet. I don't even have a house phone...

A Website definitely helps. But it helps if it looks at least half way professional and is search engine optimized.

Word of mouth is still the best advertising.

I like Babs idea, too. I personally wouldn't go as low as $50, but I can see myself playing for a $100 and give out $50 to one lucky singer, just to get things rolling.

My usual rate is $200 a night though. (exceptions are very small places)

Any way you can get your name out there -

I believe there was a study done that says a consumer needs to see your business name 3 or more times to remember you. Flyers on cars and in business windows is an inexpensive way. Use any method you can. Advertise on your car, a sign in your yard, the bottom of your emails - When people ask someone if they know anyone who can provide the services you have they will refer to you.

Ads in newspapers are expensive, so I believe timing is everything. If you are pushing for private functions like weddings only advertise in the paper during high wedding traffic months. Set up a booth at wedding conventions and fairs. Join your local chamber of commerce and lodges. Most bar owners in my area belong to the chamber of commerce.

I would say make a budget for advertising and decide what you are willing to spend.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Randy, (and anyone else for that matter)
I used to start out low on a new show too. Now that ive become known in the area I guote the price that I expect up front BUT add that I will give a discount on nights that are slow for the first coupple months. I Just started weds nights at the biggest bar in town. I gave them a top dollar price for the shows, but the first week I took off $50 cause it was slow. week two was good and they never even questioned paying me full price. When you start out low figuring "I can raise the price later" your never going to get that price up. MAYBE 1 in 5 will give you that raise. How often are you upset that the price of something you like goes up, even when you can easly afford it you always have something else you would like to spend that money on. However If you want A good product you are usually willing to pay for it from the start.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas