Karaoke Forums

I have a new show and just wondered what ideas that ya'll might want to share on promotions/etc for a new show. The bar is not really willing to spend any money on advertising, so what ideas are out there that can get more people in the door for karaoke and that are entertaining to keep the ones that show up by chance?

Thanks for your input.

Makes you wonder if they are paying their ASCAP fees or not. I don't take a bar gig unless the owner is willing to at least take an ad out in the weedender section that comes out every Thursday for at least three months. I also promote it on my website when I have a bar gig which I don't have at the moment. But who wants a weekly gig that pays $50 anyway.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

We don't really have that sort of magazine here. Worse yet, our local newspaper has seen its circulation plummet due to the internet and the economy. Plus, if you consider demographics of the average karaoke singer, they aren't likely to get this sort of information from print ads (unless it is a publication devoted to entertainment - like the one you mentioned).

If the bar isn't willing to do ANY type of advertising, it's a safe bet that karaoke won't last long in that establishment. I've seen it a million times! A bar hires a karaoke show, the put "Karaoke" on their (usually) cheap, portable sign, and then expect the public to come out in droves to support the entertainment........it doesn't work!

Most bar/club owners shouldn't be bar/club owners! Facebook is free! Tell them to take some pics, and open a facebook page for the bar. It's not the same as a newspaper or radio ad, but it can't hurt!

Alot of KJ's in my area have Facebook pages, and it really helps to let their regulars know when and where they're playing. Plus it can maybe bring in some other folks, too.

Just a thought....

I absolutely agree with this - facebook is something every place should have. I urge people to get on mine because I pass on a lot of information a few times a week. People also ask me about songs (if I have, will I get), etc. It is a central location, most people are accustomed to it, and it is FREE! I post pics from shows, the places post pics from shows, they are able to also advertise activities other than just karaoke, etc. First thing I ask if someone wants me to start a gig is "Do you use Facebook?"

I agree with the Facebook comments. This is a new show and my plan is to start a facebook page FOR them. I did this for another bar and used it effectively (in addition to my own facebook).

I have a fb friend that is a bartender - she tells us a few hours before her shift that she will be working - and we should come see her. I thought, THAT'S BRILLIANT! I want to get the bartenders at my karaoke bars to do the same thing.

I am going to start this page and then hold a fb tutorial event sort of thing to get the bartenders who don't have their own fb one of their own, and show them how to use it. Then, I hope to get them marketing for themselves, and for me.

You can also post up an ad on Craigs List---I have one in the EVENTS section of Craigs List.

Here's the link: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/eve/2164255839.html

You can also do myspace, and facebook.

Twitter might be somthing to think about.
How bout Tweet the name of each song being sung or dance song being played. Like a play by play of your show?

Can always make up flyers on the cheap and post them on any bulletin boards you may come across(coffee houses, grocery stores, music stores, etc).

Post up flyers inside your venue, signage, get banners for free from your beer distributors.

Take out an add in your local bar rag.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Let me make a suggestion:

Facebook, facebook, and you might want to try facebook.

Here's why. Facebook, on its own, actively tries to connect you to people on a daily basis.

For example, I've reconnected with many of my old high school classmate through facebook. MANY of them love karaoke, or have come to my show to see me and had a good time. They've brought their friends, and their friends have become my regulars.

That's not counting the connections I've made through the various bars I work at, and those that i've never met friending me, becasue facebook thought they might be interested... and who come to my shows and become my regulars!

Then... on top of that, if I do start a new venue, I create an EVENT and invite my 200+ friends to come support me.

I post daily in my status what's going on... tag photos or link photos that get tag by my friends to my profile... and facebook automatically lets me know when that happens.

Facebook is a MUST do if you are in any way serious about this business.

Further, for $20 a year, i have mdparty.com which is a local page in my state for promoting entertainment venues... bands, karaoke, etc. you probably have something similar. Its WELL worth it.

Lastly, i have about 200 emails i've collected because people ask me for mine, private shows I've done, and so forth. I send out a weekly News letter.

Now, when you are looking for a job, and they say, "Why should I hire you" You can tell the bar exactly why. Saying i've got a large email collection, and facebook "FOLLOWING" makes bar owners all giddy and stuff.

If the bar has its own Facebook page, post there as well and link it to yours.

In this day and age, homegrown, mostly FREE advertising that is directly marketed to YOUR customers is far more effective then spending hundreds of dollars on a newspaper ad.

Who reads print these days?

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

Agree with Facebook, I still update my MySpace as well but not as often, not a big twitter fan but that is another option as wel. I have over 400 contacts on FB, and approx 500 + more email contacts that i've acquired over the years (many of which have FB pages that can be added as well, take the time & run through any emails you gather from singers. Put your FB out on any ads and/or books/slips/etc. I update FB every night I work inviting people down, the bartenders of the club often do as well.
Also there are several free places on the net to advertise. Google things like places to sing in (your city), or karaoke in (your city), etc., join those sites & put your info down, keep them logged & update them when new shows come around.
Agree with creating your own poster/fliers if the bar is not willing to do any promoting. All newpapers have an entertainment section, especially for Fridays, put a small ad in there.
There are always free papers available that can have ads purchased as well, find one that suits best.

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