Mandatory Commitment Time...

Bigdog · Post by **Bigdog** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:11 pm

We all know it takes time to get a new job started.

I had a converstation with the other owner of the bar I went to solicit the other day. They all have one question. HOW "BIG" IS YOUR FOLLOWING? Everyone wants to know how big it is...

She complained that the last KJ didn't have a following and he said he did. She said there were only 2 tables of his following.

That's probably 2 tables more than I would expect or even count on. I told her whether she hired me or any other KJ there will not be 50 people following me through the door. Never had it happen in 16 years.

I can understand why bar owners would want to know this question. But what I can't understand is why karaoke crowds are so different from that of bands and even DJs.

Now to the title of the post.

Whenever I start a new job I give a 4 week price break to get things going and as a show of good faith. It's a good selling point.

I have heard of KJs that want a 4-6 week commitment from the bar owner. I understand why a KJ would want that. What do you think about a "mandatory" commitment.

I have never and will never use a contract. There have been many times that I quit jobs during the job because an bar owner wouldn't handle a problem patron issue. Which means I went home without pay that night and lost income until I found a replacement job. I figure it's the price of doing business. I don't want to be obligated money wise to them and vice versa. But that's just me. I have done weddings and private parties all without contracts and down payments. You will probably never get your money back in court if it goes that far anyway. And what would it cost you to get it back?

Would you as a KJ demand a mandatory committment to start a job? I stress the fact that it will take 4-6 weeks or longer to get a nice crowd built. But I don't demand it. What happens if you decide you don't want to work there? What I would like them to do is 4 weeks and some advertising and put it on their sign.

If you were a bar owner would you hire a KJ that demanded that commitment?

Sabrina59 · Post by **Sabrina59** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:21 pm

Hmmmmmmm ... good question.

I don't think I would hire the KJ that "demanded" a commitment; but I don't care for demanding people. I think it's all in the presentation.

As a bar owner I would appreciate the KJ who offers a lower price for the first 4 to 6 weeks. As a person with common sense I should know that it takes at least that long to build a new show.

I don't believe that we, the KJ's are solely responsible for building a karaoke crowd at a new place. I think the bar owner should take the responsibility of advertising the show.

DanG2006 · Post by **DanG2006** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:56 pm

In complete agreement with Sabrina on owners taking responsability for advertizing. I don't think it is just his responsability though. The karaoke company has to do it's own part as well.

Sabrina59 · Post by **Sabrina59** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:10 pm

I completely agree, Dan. It should be a joint effort. Unfortunately, the deli where we have our show has never done anything to promote the show (other than word of mouth). I made all the flyers (that they used as scratch paper!

) and hubby and I made the signs for outside (one of which they broke by dragging it rather than carrying it, the other isn't put outside everyday).

I think she expected our karaoke friends to come to our show. Unfortunately, none of them live in the same town, and the bar we frequent has karaoke on the same night.

I don't know if my experience is the norm or the exception.

Bigdog · Post by **Bigdog** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:23 pm

It's the owners, not you.

I have hung my own posters that I gave to bar owners whenever they didn't put them up.

I actually went outside and put the words KARAOKE EVERY FRIDAY on the sign after I set up my equipment.

So don't depend on or expect anything from them except "nothing."

And lots of it.

I did a hotel that wouldn't put karaoke up on the sign, but they did manage to put up...BREAKFAST $1.99

That was the only thing on the sign and there were 3-5 open lines left.

How much profit money will they take in at $1.99?????? Yeah...maybe if they sold 20,000 breakfasts a day.....

Here is the best thing...how much tip will the waitress make on $1.99??? WOW....

let me work the breakfast shift steady....please....

25,000 cars pass that location a day.

That brings up a good point. Find out the demographics for that location and use it to get the bar owners to understand how important the free advertsing is and it's worth. 25,000 cars contain at least 25,000 people.

You build a crowd one person at a time.

Last time I checked the average person isn't psychic. And psychic vibrations aren't constantly emited from the bar and projected toward the street.

So without that happeneing what else can we depend on to get the word out???

spotlightjr · Post by **spotlightjr** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:10 pm

Owners are usually too damn lazy to help promote your show. They feel they've done enough in hiring you and therefore, you should self-promote your shows. I have had numerous conversations with owners in regards to marketing, advertisement, etc. and maybe 2 times out of 10 make any sense with them. They cant see the forest thru the trees. Most of them are thinking week to week instead of charting a course for long-term success.
The most blatantly lethargic in the lines of marketing in my area are the chain bar and grills. Applebees, Bennigans, etc. They are afraid of corporate and always "toe the line" so to speak. Wont spend a dime for anything entertainment related. If I sound like I'm being ungrateful.... I'm not. I enjoy playing at these places but just wish the managers, regionals, etc could see beyond the 2 feet in front of their noses.

Bigdog · Post by **Bigdog** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:51 pm

If you read my post about bar owners concerns...I have been working with a chain. I do Fridays there. They have been negotiating for me to do Saturdays for 2 months. They finally hired me to start this saturday. They had to have corporate meetings ....blah blah blah..

I think the big reason they ALL want to know if you have a big following is so they can just sit back and collect big money without any extra work on their part.

Sabrina59 · Post by **Sabrina59** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:46 am

For the most part, we get paid the same amount regardless of how many patrons are there. Logic dictates that if the show grows it is more money for the establishment. Our fee doesn't increase with profits.

Granted, if we don't have a successful show the owner will eventually let us go. They have to, at the very least, make enough profit to pay for us to be there.

Advertising, therefore, is a win-win situation, but the bar "wins" more than we do.