Karaoke Forums

What is your competition in the local area?

Sometimes you got to remeber not to get stuck in what I call the DJ EGO Program. It works like this: The club owner is having a hard time making it so DJ EGO comes in and says I'm here to save your business.... (and I'll do it for free). DJ EGO goes to work. Then one of two scenerios happen: (1) DJ EGO Packs The House and Charges as much as possible because now he thinks the owner is locked into him (bad for the owner). or (2) DJ EGO works for free about 4-5 weeks and puts it up to practice, on to the next one... The thing most people forget about is business is like a car, all the parts have got to work together in order to go somewhere. Bar & grill business does not reley on a five hour entertainment program to survive... (now keep in mind I'm only talking about locations under 4000 sq ft). Just because the engine is running doesn't mean the tires are in good shape. I hope you get the point.

Lisiting the ones who work in pubs

Three main companies (one with two members of staff who also work for themselves).
One company, with one set of discs and about three computer set ups.
One company who barely has anywork.
Two computer users
Six discs users (seven including myself). Two of these have regular work at the moment.
Two pubs have an in-house computer system.

Every company/pub on computer has a silly number of songs not that i would want to imply anything

Edited to add. I've thought of two more companies (again on computer whilst i'm sat here, one hires anyone and has got a few laptop dj's on their books, the other used a computer but i'm not sure how many songs he has).

I wouldn't want to "imply" anything either but the introduction of [thekiaa.org] might help give some valitity to your company because you have to remember where the value is... If some one is losing money manufacturing music (singer, writer, composer or manufactuer) they are diffenatly going to find where it is going or not going, depending how you look at it. Get registered, be the first in your area... Times are a changing. You have to remember for evey computer system you must have a matching set of discs. Not one set of discs for three or more systems. If you want to computerise goto [url]mp3gdownload.com and do it legaly one fun song at a time.[/url]

sadly i'm in the UK, we have the introduction of the produb licence, which (in theory) allows you to copy the originals onto one rig at a fee of £250 for approx 5000. Despite their claims it doesn't currently cover karaoke songs. There are other options but my collection would rapidly reduce in size and quality if i went onto computer legally. My show is built using manu's like soundchoice, zoom etc I aim for definate endings on all the songs, and quality songs. For £6000 i could go onto a sunfly only show, or for about £2000 a zoom only legally. But it would be like starting from scatch again, and I'd have less songs and as most people know, the best versions aren't necessarily all from one brand. I do plug the legality of my show (possibly to the point of being boring, i won't play copied discs and i won't have any of the comedy songs which have been recorded from other manus whilst someone writes alternative lyrics on it), but like yourselves since nothing is ever done to iradicate the illegal ones, it's a losing battle.

In regards to credability, I do have a sponsership from another local company and references a mile a long.

Edit to add: Whilst I won't play copied discs, chances are i'll have the song, and if i don't have the version you want or it's just not in my book, i will purchase it for the next week. And as for the comedy songs, I have more comedy songs than any other show in my area, even if you include those few "adult only versions" floating around.

Maybe, just maybe, your looking at different "perceved values" than what the customer perceives to be of value?

I have never, never talked with anyone who frequents karaoke who has brought up the "legality" of any show.

IMHO, while the "uniform" idea is "cute", it won't garner you a single job or customer!

You have "boasted" about your "comedy" tracks. How often does anyone request one of those tracks? I have never had anyone request any parody (i.e. "Weird Al") and Adam Sandler's tracks are the most, but rarely, requested.

I more edited to add to those final comments in my reply to DJ DANGERUS, that whilst i am sarcastically legal, i try and make sure it doesn't hinder the enjoyment of the show.. the comedy songs comment was to indicate that I try over compensate my song list in areas where I refuse to break the law in any respect.

I am legal above and beyond what most people would say was the call of duty, thats my own personal preference though, I love karaoke and want to give the money back to an industry that has brought me much pleasure. If someone wants to openly break the law with 200,000+ songs and no discs, have a copied CDG for there own use, or on a much smaller level play their own home made song etc. Thats fine, each to their own. DJ DANGERUS in his post brought up the introduction of [thekiaa.org] and I replied.

I agree that I rarely talk to people, who frequents karaoke about the "legality" of any show and I have only found one landlady who cared....

On a lighter note: My comedy songs get sung quite frequently. Chas and Dave are huge with my crowd, Ebay is a huge hit and most Weird Al is sung at least once every two months. Poisoning Pigeons in the Park is popular with the non singers, I occasionally get Adam Sandler and two of my regular singers have parody versions of popular songs they learnt off by heart themselves. I've got a really shy customer who sings "oh lord it's hard to humble" which is a real treat because he really goes for it!

I'm looking forward to xmas, cause i'm hoping my regulars start researching Bob Rivers

If you take the karaoke out of the equation, do you still have a show? If the answer is "No" I would suggest that might be the problem.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Yes....I am there to provide music and my crowds want music either karaoke or DJ. I can supply both and switch according to rotation size or crowd requests. I could care less how many singers I have. I want over 100 people partying and buying drinks. That determines when I ask for raises.

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

well thanks guys you certainly got me thinking.... as if by magic, more regular work came in this week... so no beans on toast for me.

However there are some changes I'd like to make.... though some scare me and most go against what I believe.

Speaking to one new venue owner. He wants good singers (because good singers attract good singers in his opinion).... So against my better judgement, I'm going to sing more at this venue to see if his theory works. I've also avoided telling the customer who screams into the mic about this venue.

I've noticed, I become polietly arguemental when owners suggest competitions. I may just start going with the flow more and if they want competitions, let them have them, providing I am not a judge.

I phoned around a few other companies, my six hardcore regulars is a solid number to build from. Most hosts class busy on a friday saturday night as eight singers... that to us is almost unheard of.

I've also realise that an ad in the yellow pages does make a difference in the area,
but i suspect i couldn't take on the amount of work that they yellow pages can generate (we got a call on saturday at 6:50 to cover a gig at 7:30 because an agent had been let down and they had no replacement), I'll stick to word of mouth for now.

Failing that... i'm moving!! To a big town, with pubs that hold more than 50 people and a council that doesn't keep closing venues down.

Out of interest, where in Devon are you now?

Also - competitions... Here in the UK they attract the bitchy diva's (of both gender) who will clear out the regulars. And once the competition is over, they leave. Moreover they drink little!

If you want good singers:

1. Make them sound good.
2. Make sure they can hear themselves. (Ask!)
3. Have decent effects and compression. And don't load up the large-hall reverb so everyone sounds the same!

I hate going to a place where I have to contort myself to hear anything. Get a monitor speaker going!

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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.

Ok, so you send these texts/emails, etc to the people you already know. How many is that? I know I have over 300 contacts on my MySpace alone, over 400 more email contacts. Now anytime I post a bulletin I figure or invite I figure maybe 40-50% will even actually read them. 1-5% of those will/may actually come on out. While they are great way to keep in contact with your regs & let them know what's up, but not the best way to necessarily get new people. Is there any outside advertising letting new people know there is karaoke? Which nights & times? If not, this would be a very good idea. People driving by would then see - Hey they have karaoke tonight, let's go in! Do you do any internet advertising? There are several sites that you can add your venue for free. I often get singers saying they found us on so & so site or by a google search.



But again, the ad on the back of a slip is ok, but is still not very effective as the singer writes up their request & hands it to you, unless the singers take a blank slip home - but then it's the singer that you know already knows your show is there.

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

Internet works? Gotta capture me a slice of that pie

I get a LOT of word-of-mouth business. There is no shame in telling people to bring friends along.

Unheard of? What 8 singers as busy? That would be considered dead here.



Yellow pages work for getting new work, but not bringing people in to support the new shows.



How many people does you current clubs hold?

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

We have the largest internet presence in our area, and to a certain degree it does work, As for finding new customers... we advertise in all the papers and online where possible. Also as soon as we spot an new customer we do our utmost to keep them... "teeth, tits and tinsel" work x

Following a private function, we did discover that some of the guest rolled their eyes at the venues we were and are in... so some of our reasons for not obtaining new customers is the negative opinion they have of the venue, rather than the show.

We are looking into getting a monitor speaker... we'd be the first in the area to do it as well which is a bonus. As for a compressor we're still researching that one. I've recently started to use slightly more effects on the singers, I prefer a cleaner sound and creating a sound that is similar to that on a CD... but for a poorer singer and more importantly the listener I think we need more. Also a lot of shows in our area use the "large-hall reverb" and the customers ears do become used to it....

The three venues we do will hold at maximum, 150 people, 100 people and 80 people... Thats wall to wall. Most nights each venue will have one member of bar staff on and someone around who can help if it gets busy, on a busy night two members and if there is a private function or a major occassion eg New year three or four members. In all venues passing trade is minimal none the less all have outside advertisng.

I hate competitions, I know all the singers that only come out for "hunting season", they are all diva's and they all drink soft drinks.... and in our area one girl (she is the best by far) wins them all, but arguing with landlords isn't going to help me keep work. On the plus side, I've never run a competition before so it may (oh how i doubt this) bring about some new customers for me. If anyone can think of anything else i can suggest to any owner instead of a competition, it would be greatly received.

And what exactly is wrong with beans on toast. It's great like macaroni and cheese. Great comfort food.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Ok, let's winnow it down a bit. To find a problem and fix it, you must locate, then sectionalize, then isolate it. THEN solve it.

Located: Too few singers- not profitable

Sectionalize:

1) Have you always only had this amount of singers? In all venues? If so, you must ask yourself what you are doing wrong. If it's in all venues, then it's not the venue that's the problem. Same if it's always been like that. It has to be something about the show. It's You.


2) If it HASN'T always been like that, but is now at ALL venues, when and why did it change?

Example: Here in NJ, the new smoking ban has taken a huge bite out of business in all but the high end food oriented venues.

Many years back, when police started cracking down on drunk driving in a big way, a negative inpact was also felt.

What factor in your area may have caused a change in ALL of your venues?


3) If it's recent, AND only in SOME venues, then it may just be a problem with the venues.


So:

Isolate: You, or a big overall change of some sort in your area, or the venue.

One way or another, 6 singers is a losing proposition for the owner. The only way to solve the problem is to know what it is.

If it's you, change the way you do things.

If it's an overall change in your area, find out what it is and counter it.

If it's certain venues only, then you you must continue to look elswhere.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Me and a friend got a facebook group,mainly for discos and functions,also a website (one of those free hosted ones admittedly). BOTH bring in lots of work

But Joe,

Wasn't it you who explained to me during a similar discussion that ALL singers bring friends who also spend money? Also, you discussed the entertainment value to the establishment of all the singers! So, why are you now saying that a venue can't "make it" with 6 singers? When I indicated concern about a rotation of 10 or so wherein several singers spent little or no money, you explained with your years of experience managing bars that what I described was not a problem, while I proclaimed it definitely was! Why, then, is it now a problem? I'm particularly curious since you have no knowledge of the overhead at Marble's location, or the overhead at the location I described; which, BTW is long since out of business!

Lastly, the poster explained that her show's attendance is the "norm" for her neck-of-the-woods and she was quite clear that the number of singers is not the root problem

So... unfortunately, you haven't identified, sectionalized or isolated a reason for OP to be concerned about regarding the amount of work she currently has!