Karaoke Forums

Every once in awhile I like to see what happens when I bring this up...

Note that the word SKILLS was capitalized in the title of this thread.

On one of the legal threads I mentioned that it is up to the Karaoke Host to have the better skills, and the better marketing of those skills to stay competitive.

The statement was completely ignored there.

Anyone with the money ( or without, in some cases) can acquire a library and equipment to match any other.

I have seen lowballers ( legal or not) succeed because they are good hosts, and I have seen them fail because they were bad hosts. The same can be said of full priced hosts ( legal or not).

I have seen an inexpensive host with MAYBE 600 songs and entry level equipment stay successful since the late 90's.

I have seen a $200 host with top equipment tens of thousands of songs never last more than a month or two in any venue.

Well, if it's not the library, and not the equipment, that leaves hosting skills.

I have read much here in regard to unfair competition, piracy, lowball prices, etc... Guess what? In this economy, with everyone trying whatever they can to make a buck, this competition isn't going away anytime soon.

SO:

What skills are you working to improve to stay competitive, and how are you going about doing it?

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

I'm sure I'll get hit for this, but quite frankly, I've been working on my DJ skills. I have top notch karaoke equipment and a very competative library. In my area I have a top notch reputation for knowing how to mix a singer, and my hosting skills, while always having room for improvement are known for the fun party atmosphere I encourage.

I work a solid 4 nights a week, and get top dollar for my nights, but i've also taken a job doing straight DJ work on dinner cruise ships (doing lunches, and dinners on my nights off). This has encouraged me to work on improving my music mixing skill... beat matching, scratch, etc.

I've also made a big purchase in lighting, although it was used and I got a ton of equipment for the price.

What all this means is that i'm gaining a reputation as an all around music business, not just "the karaoke guy" which in turn is getting me wedding gigs, and so forth that I was missing before.

Anyway, I'm not saying that everyone should do this. The question was asked, I answered. Home audio speaker
Home audio speakers

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

well, i continuously work on honing my ear, learn and refine mixing techniques to make people sound the best they possibly can, and that has managed to steal a lot of regulars from elsewhere (including friends, oops ).

i am trying to remember some of the basics that just go away after a while of getting comfortable. like i try to force myself to break from what i am doing, look them in the eye and say "thank you" when someone hands me a slip.

besides that, there is not much in the way of "skills" i can think of to work on. mostly just good customer service,

re-reading my business library....
Stephen Covey: 7 habits of highly effective people
Stephen Covey: the 8th habit, from effectiveness to greatness

both great books for understanding your own perspective on yourself and others.

Ron Willingham: Hey, I'm The Customer
providing superior customer service

and of course...
Ken Blanchard: Raving Fans

if you have not read raving fans....stop what you are doing and go get it now. probably the best customer service book ever written, and for us it is even more special.

that's what i am doing.
what about you Joe? what skills are you working on?

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

YES! The good stuff!

Both excellent posts. No hit from me, Koyote- I know you've been at it awhile, and nothing wrong with expanding as well.

Paradigm, not only did you post what I'm looking for, but were kind enough to share some informational sources- and I will avail myself of them.

Keep 'em coming, folks!

As for me- First, in general:

Let me say that I'm told that it's my people skills that really make the show, and since that's just me being myself, I won't fix what ain't broke. I also strive for the most complete customer service I can offer.

I can't tell you how many patrons I gain simply by being happy to play their discs. For me, the word "no" to a reasonable customer request is virtually unknown.

I try and make sure that my presence and help is not limited to karaoke. If I can make a non-singer happy, I will. If there is a non-karaoke problem that I can solve, I will.

However, though I don't particularly like to sing when I work, sometimes it's a must. To that end I'm attempting to expand my repertoire for an up and coming younger crowd.

Also, as I age, my voice changes, and I am working on compensation.

Though an Electronic Engineer, any knowledge in this area can become obsolete rather quickly, so I make sure to keep up to date on it, for future custom upgrades, and solving any problems on the fly- no lost show time. Nothing worse than a breakdown, and the KJ staring at the ceiling hoping for divine intervention. FIX IT and get 'em singin'! Of course, back up is not an option, it's a neccesity.

Though well known in my radius, I continually market myself in order to keep my name, and the benefits of hiring me in front of future clients. Word of mouth is great, but it ebbs and flows. Mailing packets ( designed to be keepers, not throwaways like so many corporate clone types), friending venues on FB, E-mails, occasional "how are you" phone calls....whatever I can think of.

I use handwritten Thank You letters for venues where I have done private events, and have gotten on "Favored Vendor" lists because of it.

I'm pretty comfortable with my sound mixing skills, per customer satisfaction, so I'm leaving that be.



1) I take the time to visit both very popular shows ( other than mine) and some very UNpopular shows.

I Find out what ticks people off the most at the bad ones- and don't do it.

I Find out what things ( that I might not do)make shows other than mine popular, and see if these things can't be adjusted to my style.


2) I never sit, but am constantly moving- this adds energy to the show.

3) I always work in front of the equipment, not behind it or a facade, which gives a feeling of better accessibility, adding to singer confidence.

4) I try very hard to meet and greet all by name ( if I know it) when they come in. This seems to make people feel appreciated. I actually get call-ins if someone can't make it for some reason. I'm told I make them feel like part of a karaoke family.

So of course, here I'm working harder on remembering names....

5) Most of all, I love what I do, and make sure to let it show!. If I DIDN'T love it, it would show as well. My patrons know I do, have told me so, and have said it it makes them feel good. Had a bad day? I Lose it when I walk in the door.


CURRENT BIGGIE: After some recent serious oral surgery after getting hit in the jaw with a baseball, I have been working harder on diction and clarity of speech.

Singing's not a problem, just a little blur on regular speech- but this surgery was recent. I haven't had any complaints, but I want to make sure that I don't.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Hmmm.
I may try and stay sober longer.

Since both Myself and my co-host Kiki (girlfriend) were karaoke singers before I went into the business, it was a no-brainer. What would I like to see in a karaoke show, that would keep me going back. First, and foremost, (I) am my biggest competition. By that, I mean that I don't worry about what the next guy is doing, I give the best show that I am capable of giving, (in all respects). There are hosts with more of a following than we have, but would I want their following? NO. We have tailored our show to be ENTERTAINMENT, not just another crappy karaoke show. We still use slips for song requests, still use books for people to browse, still have RULES in the front of our books, and we are FAIR to everyone that walks through the door. I do the best I can do with each and every singer that comes up, to make them sound as good as I can. I could add alot more, but I think you get the idea of how my show is run from what I've said so far. We just try to make people feel like they're part of a FAMILY, when they come to our show, not just another customer.

I haven't done any gigs for quite some time, which has given me plenty of time to observe other KJ/DJs. I've seen what works, and what doesn't. One thing I've found to be almost certain is, that if the KJ is a true singer at heart, with a sincere compassion for all people, and especially for anyone willing to put themselves in such a precarious position, before a crowd of drunken strangers.... ........you're in for a great karaoke experiece. Lately, I've been seeing just that type of host, and maybe, if I decide to KJ again, I might just be able to transfer what I've learned into the various knobs, and sliders on my mixer.

KUDOS and DITTO!! I agree 1110%

I am not saying that ppl that don't use slips/books are crappy-karaoke, but I feel from a singers point, it is nice to have a book to browse through.

I do also have my songs online, so if someone wants to browse from their portable web device, they can!

Basically, forget the low-baller/pirate stuff, just make your show better, and eventually you will be rewarded.

I agree with the books as well. I personally like to look at the books when I go to a show.
I also have the online access as well.

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

Holy moly! We have some real Karaoke Hosts here!

Just so ya know, with the huge membership here, I'm really trying to see how many have the ability to respond to the OP question.

So far, those who have responded are those that I knew that could. Let's see what happens...

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

The industry changes, evolves, and reinvents itself, at least in my market about every 4 years.

Right now I see the less is more trend. Most of the locations I have done for years were all party type bars. The method that had worked for years has changed, we were always music and karaoke split about even. Now things have kinda gone grassroots, with the number of locations decreasing that offer karaoke nights, nights are 100% karaoke minus the 10 minute music break I take at midnight to walk around stretch my legs and hit the mens room.

I have big lighting setups, text to screen, videos and everything I could think of adding to my shows over the years and right now it's just very simple.

Treat your customers well, have good gear, and know how to mix. Everything else is marketing.

The biggest skill is adaptation, you got to be willing to change. You need to be willing to change your show in order to make the bar the most amount of money.

My wife and I run our show every Wed & Sat night. I run the show and my wife is a seriously good, and very attractive greeter/problem solver/helper/feather unruffller (see photo).

We had a "director" of a very large theatre (as in plays and performances), at our show last Saturday.He sang a couple of show tunes (he was Lena Horne's backup singer) and when he was done he walked up to me and said...."very impressive sound up there on the stage". I use (3) Shure Beta58A wireless mics too.

1) We spend exhaustive amounts of time perfecting the overall sound on stage and to the house. I use (2) floor monitors Mackie SRM350V2 adapted to stand up.
2) Each singer is adjusted for best audience enjoyment and singer experience (whatever it takes).
3) Our songs books are extremely organized and proofread.
4) My wife takes pictures of all the singers from various angles, and takes group/individual shots of every person at each and every show.
5) I then process the photos and email the photos to all "karaoke groupies" that I have email addresses for (about 300).
6) All new singers and listeners, that I have an email address from, will receive a a special thank you from me and let them know how pleased we are that they found us.
7) We throw a "customer appreciation party" every Christmas and pick up the tab for the entire cost, and do the show free for the owner (his Christmas gift from us).
8) Encourage singers to sing what their listeners want to hear, and to follow my simple rule of "Fun, Fast, Familiar"
9) "Ballad Hell" is broken up by me, personally, requesting certain singers to change their song to more a up-tempo dance song. They love the challenge.
10) Every email I send out contains this phrase "The Energy Is In The Music You Sing".
11) First Friday of every month I let the "Owner" choose (3) featured singers to sing for 2 hours (see photo). That is my night off and my equipment is setup for Saturday night!
12) I am very neat and tidy (see photo)

Most of you already know what I do with dramatic lighting. I love my show.
Everyone does.

In America I saw better.
Not more dramatic but a whole lot more fun.
The well chosen use of thought out props was fantastic.
From that I did learn.
I am on the verge of ordering them.
I am even going to order some exactly to copy what Lep. and boyfriend used.
They are making me a far better host.
Thank you Nevada.

Props? I think you are mis-remembering and confusing our show with the Bunny Ranch.

Mrmarog's cohostess is indeed sparkley and inviting. I fear the boyfriend is going to trade me in for an upgrade.

I need to work on advertising myself better i.e. poster, flyers, etc. I am always striving to make sure the sound is top notch, with the basic equipment I have. I don;t have extra cash lying around, so I can't really upgrade right now, but making the best with what I have. I am always making sure I am present for my singers, and even have been revising my rotation system to make it even MORE fair for everyone. I can procrastinate a bit, so things like songbooks and such haven't been updated in a couple of months, but that just means that I am my own competition, and I am going to outdo myself one day soon Great question, Joe.

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Wam bam thank you m'am.

Study.

I keep an extensive data base on everything show related and study the reports so I can better understand my guests and identify any trends.

I also make an effort to learn everyone's names, who their relatives and friends are and keep notes on their birthdays and special events so I'm prepared in advance to treat them like family whether they sing or not.

In addition I read and participate in forums like this one in search of new and better ideas, because this is one of the few places where true professionals in the industry gather to share useful information.

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KNOW THYSELF

Good idea...I'm stealing that one...hope ya don't mind

Someone once said, "Good artists create, great artists steal."

Nothing wrong with going out and seeing what the othet guys are doing anf looking at their shows and looking at them in an objective mannwr.

I also regularly record my shows and listen to them.. particularly my breaks and transitions. Just like in my band days.. what sounded good to me as I was playing it can often sound much different when you're just listening.

Ive said it before and ill say it again. Its not top end gear and the biggest song selection that makes or breaks most shows.. its the host. Its the personality.. its that personal interaction.. that special somethibg you add to the night that makes it a 'show'.

No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement.

"Absolute confidence is the consolation prize for those less talented"

Good thread.

i have also been expanding to other areas to give a bit more options.
on Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 i do a trivia show, then 9:00 right into karaoke.
also i have branched out and 2 nights have Texas Hold-em.
trying to be more of "the whole package" option for the owners

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Wow, long post from me, vanished. ALWAYS copy the long ones to the clipboard before submitting!


I'll save it for later, sorry!

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