Karaoke Forums

My last vehicle had my business name and logo on it. Consequently, I came out of gigs only to find off color graffiti all over it, written in the dust, on many occasions.
My current vehicle has no logo on it yet. I've just been too busy to get it done and I'm thinking of downsizing, anyway.
So far, I have yet to find anything written on it.
What has been your experience with logos on your vehicles?
Pros? Cons?

Pros- Advertising

Cons- Theft, because your advertising your van maybe full of expensive gear.

Mojo

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"It looks just like a Telefunken U47 !"

I don't advertise on any vehicles for exactly the reason that mojo mentions. I don't have any desire to run around town advertising "Hey I've got thousands of dollars of equipment in here". Even if it's empty, why would I want to make it a target. For me, just not worth it. We've always joked that the best thing to put on the side of the trailer would be "Uncle Bill's Used Bible Sales".

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I have considered it and decided against it as well.

It's insured, so if something is stolen or damaged, it will be replaced with brand new stuff anyway so that wouldn't be an issue for me at least.

Once you put your logo on a vehicle, now if you are involved in an accident, they can sue not only you, but your business. That's the main con to it. Having said that, I do have my logg on the sides of my trailer.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Or "TWDS - Toxic Waste Disposal Services".

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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.

If you've ever gotten any private gigs that way then the advertising may be worth it.

A good safe idea may be in getting magnetic signs so you can remove them whenever you park, then put 'em on and advertise while you drive.

Having been through that already, I can tell you it's not as nice as it sounds. Most (if not all) inland marine insurance policies do not cover the lost wages for shows that you can't do because the rig was stolen.

However your other point is another good one. When people see that business name on the side, they instantly see dollar signs. Even if they were at fault you be amazed at the ways people justify suing the business.

BTW, I sure hope everyone that is using their own daily driver to carry gear have notified their auto insurance. If your vehicle is insured as a personal vehicle but you have a collission and they get wind that you were conducting business at the time, they can conceivably refuse to cover you for that loss.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I don't put a logo on my vehicle.. mostly because I use whatever vehicle is handy that day to transport my gear.. and those magnetic signs you slap on the doors just say to me, "I'm not professional enough to have a dedicated vehicle.".

I would, however, like to get an old VW Microbus, or one of those late 60's Dodge vans that look like the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo.. or maybe one of those Chevy HHR things, then get a vehicle wrap with my logo and stuff.

Similar to what you see radio stations do with their vans.

Then i'd park it out in front of the venue as a mobile billboard.. again.. like most radio stations do when they're doing a live remote.

Don't want to do it with a garden variety Astro van or cargo van.. I wanna find something odd looking, but capable of carrying my regular show load.

Which is pretty much why I haven't done it yet.. I haven't found something that really blew my skirt up that's also in decent condition, and at a comfortable price point.

I'd really like something like this.. put some old school rims on it.. do a vehicle wrap.. that would kick (@$%&#!).

Best take on the sign thing I saw was a roof-sign. One you don't have on while driving.
It says:

Karaoke Here Tonight ====>

Then you park your vehicle outside by the street.

Another idea is to put a magnetic sign on the back of the van that says Follow me if you want to sing Karaoke.

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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.

Wont advertise on my car
but I am working out how to carry a large A frame
That advertises KARAOKE TONIGHT with a light on it.
Will put that outside the pub.

I built that just recently,, just for karaoke advertising. I am working on a topper for each venue, with the venues logo on each topper. I am thinking of adding lights somehow, but that is going to be costly, because I don't want to have to depend on power from AC source. Thinking LED possibly, with rechargeable battery packs. Right now its sitting in front of one of my bars, but when I get the entire thing finished, I will take it with me.

I have a friend who uses Sandwich Boards and places them exactlty as you suggest.

Very inexpensive.

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

That looks kind big and bulky and not real portable.

Why not just get a couple pieces of OSB plywood, hinge them at one end, then put some chain on the sides to limit their 'opening'.

If you're worried about it blowing away, you could hinge some 'flaps' to drop down from the bottom that you could sit a weight on (like a concrete block).

Whole thing could fold up nice and easy and take up next to no space in your vehicle.

Here's something that would be pretty quick and simple to put together.

Cheese,,yep, that would work too. Same thing tho, to have to carry around the ballast for weight too. The pro's to my sign is, the sign wording can be changed at will. The fronts have screens and frames that swing up to change the signs. I agree, it's kind of heavy, but I can handle it myself with no problems. It will fit in the back of my truck easily. One other thing I am working on is a banner to hang on the front of the trailer itself, advertising "Karaoke Tonight!". Simple as that. I would take it down after each show.

For venues with the real estate out front to park your trailer, a banner to hang off it is a great idea.

I've gotten several vinyl banners done by VistaPrint.com

They'll put any image you upload to their online banner builder on quality vinyl cheaper than anyone i've found yet.

My 4' x 2.5' booth banner cost $42, on 15 oz. outdoor vinyl.

You could get a 6' x 2.5' one for about $60.

Either design your own with PhotoShop and upload the image, or use their online editor.

I use them for business cards, too.

Got it figured.
I have roof bars on my car.
They will be the anchor for the A frame.
And the way to transport it.