Karaoke Forums

I have been a DJ for 17 years and have done karaoke for the past couple of years on and off for a friend's company. For 15 years I DJd clubs full-time and rarely had to look for work. Not bragging, I was just a hard worker with a good rep and got incredibly lucky. Now, life has changed and I am in a different market. I have the dreaded day job with no wish to do clubs any longer as I have a family type of life now. I'd like to be doing more DJing and would like to include KJing as I really do love doing it. As I said, when I was a full-time DJ I really didn't have to look for work but NOW I do. How do you guys go about getting into the bars or restaurants to get KJ work? How do you go about selling yourself? What do you have as a leave-behind, if anything?

I know this is a tall order but I'd really like to get going and work towards doing this full-time again.

Thanks.

I don't see much difference whether it's a dj gig or karaoke. Obviously, you need to go to venues and speak with the manager/ent. director, etc. and sell them on your idea of doing karaoke. Perhaps a business card with your contact information along with a great presentation, bring a song book, sound excited, etc. Common sense rules. Good luck!

p.s. I have found that knowing a little about the place before your presentation will work wonders.

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Sound Choice and Chartbuster Certified

My recommendation is that you target private parties, first and foremost. If you are planning on doing karaoke, don't book Saturdays for a regular show. Most private parties pay 3-6x's more than a Saturday karaoke show - which means that one private party a month is worth about the same (in revenue) as an entire month of Saturday karaoke.

You can book Saturday karaoke, but I'd recommend finding a place that nosedives during the summer so you can have it off (for weddings, etc).

As far as karaoke goes, welcome to the world of piracy. The dynamics of the marketplace have changed considerably over the last 10 years or so. Chances are you'll be competing with pirates who have 5-10x's the number of songs you have and are willing to work much cheaper than a KJ who invested many thousands of dollars in their library. Depending on your market, it could mean that there is not as much money in karaoke as there used to be. Consider:

1) Pirates who can work for less have lowered the amount bars are willing to pay.
2) The number of karaoke hosts has exploded over the last 5-10 years. Some markets are over saturated with karaoke, making it more difficult to make a new show succeed.
3) The shear number of karaoke hosts in the marketplace also may have driven the price as bars are typically inundated with KJ's trying to sell their services. (and every one is better than the rest - that's what they all say).

There are new things out there now. For instance, Trivia has been very successful around here. These shows combine Trivia with a little DJ music and personality. Another idea is the "Karaoke Box" that was mentioned in a recent thread (and also at the Karaoke Summit last week). There are some that believe that there are opportunities in that area - if you are willing and able to make it happen.

That's about all I have. Good luck with what you are doing.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

Welcome Steve,

I was almost strictly a club DJ until about 6 years ago. The current venue that I've been playing the last nine years wanted to add a karaoke night six years ago. I thought it was a bad move at the time and was totally against it. The GM had made up his mind he wanted it and ask me who we should get to handle it. Well, I wasn't about to let another DJ/KJ get their foot in the door so I agreed to take on KJ duties. I found Karaoke Scene and received much of the valuable advice I needed to get started.

That was 2007 and it turned out a good move because I'm still there and our weds karaoke night is sometime busier than the weekends. Its a sports bar and I also supply them a DJ every fri/sat but the format is everything from Jimmy Buffet to LMFAO. I'm getting to old to relate to the latest music playing these days in the clubs.

One thing I've found, when I'm trying to sell my karaoke show to potential customers is sometimes when you use the karaoke word, you will be told "I can get somebody for half that". You'll find every Tom, Dick, & Harry in town does karaoke. I knew I could'nt beat all the pirates out there on selection so I concentrated more on presentation. You will just have to find your niche.

Good Luck, Mojo

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"It looks just like a Telefunken U47 !"

When someone says something like that to me, I ask them "can you get a mercedes benz for the price of a vw?" The difference in karaoke shows can be as varied as that of automobiles.

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

I know, you know that, I'm just telling him what to be ready for.

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"It looks just like a Telefunken U47 !"

And at that point, it's my position to give him that quote or something similar in analogy and give a brief but diamond explanation that turns the light bulb on in his head. Sell yourself, let him see the shining in your eye, the passion in your voice. Will it work every time? Probably not but even so, you've just polished up your interview skills.

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

You guys are acting like piracy only exists in karaoke and not music. I've been dealing with download DJs for several years and there are many more of them than KJs. Piracy exists in both arenas and hurts everybody but you just have to sell your advantages, run your business like a business and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. They will help a lot! @Rickgood, that is actually why I rarely had to look for a gig. Having ALL the music (piracy) wasn't something I was worried about. It was me, my show and my professionalism that kept my club gigs coming in. Hopefully that will help now as well.

I will let you all know how things go.

Agree! Exactly the plan I follow when applying for the job. It’s all about how to market yourself in order to get your foot in the door so to speak. Except - - - this is pretty much the same plan most kj’s adhere to. The personal presentation, a little sales talk, business card then hope that you get that phone call. Nothing’s wrong with that, but how can you make yourself stand-out & improve your chances of getting hired? Remember, you are competing with other seasoned kj’s with the same kind of approach.

I always try to do one better. I don’t know if you’re willing to do it, most kj’s wouldn’t (waste of my precious time, blah blah). I will offer the owner/mgr a 2 hour freebie night, not gonna cost him a cent. Something about that word ‘free’ that always capture their attention. In more cases than not, I’ll get the gig, and that’s after seeing my set-up and observed what I can do for his club. Sort of they want to see the quality of the merchandise before they commit to buy.

I always end up getting compensated for the 2 hr effort anyway - little cash or dinner, drinks, or any combination thereof. But the big pay-off was to hear the magic words “You’re hired”! Good luck, Steve!

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

You mentioned hosting karaoke but never mentioned any experience. Please note the hosting karaoke isn't just something done "on the side". Despite some similar equipment ( Even the best DJ equipment doesn't cover all karaoke needs), hosting karaoke PROPERLY is a completely different skill set.

Sound, for instance. You can't set and forget. While a DJ basically enhances tracks where the original music is factory mixed with the original vocals, each karaoke track is a re-creation, with each company producing different versions. On top of that each singer is not only different voiced, but have different vocal skills that have to be dealt with- all within the first few seconds of the song.

That's just sound. Please be sure to take the time to learn wht karaoke hosting is all about before jumping in. If you do, then you will be able to create a show that will stick. If you don't, you'll knock the venue out of the karaoke market.

Sales: For me I like making sure I have a contact name, then send a MEMORABLE snail mail package ( Forget the corporate looking glossies that appear like everyone else's- be DIFFERENT!- it pays!), wait a few days, then try to call the contact for an appointment. If I can't get in contact, I go to the venue and chat up the bartender ( along with having a couple of cocktails and tipping well), and eventually enlist his/her help in setting one up. After that it's a matter of self/show presentation, lots of references showing long term profitable shows, , etc...

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Brian, Thank you for the advice. I'm never really a fan of doing a "free" show but seeing as how I am trying to get the ball rolling, that is something to consider.

Joe, I do have about 50-60 solo karaoke shows under my belt when I was doing some overflow work for a DJ friend. So I have a little experience there. Vocally, I have done heavy MC work over the years so I'm not afraid of putting myself out there.

As to the equipment, until I have enough shows to warrant investing, I have access to some good karaoke equipment (karaoke mixer, mics, etc.) from my aforementioned DJ friend.

I think a bit selling point for me is that I want to do a "show". You know, use lighting and everything. I see so many KJs here in Vegas just sitting behind a low table while announcing singers and during songs. No pizzazz. No lighting for singers. Just a small S&P light if they take a dance break. I just want to see something different/better and I want to be the guy to bring it.

THIS.

I only have ONE bar gig on Friday night now, by choice. All the other nights are private parties that make me triple or more than the bars.