Bar's Own Web Site Working Against Me.

[Bigdog]

I'm doing 2 nights at a National Bar/Restaurant Chain, Friday & Saturday. Fridays are good Saturday is still up and down but getting slowly better.

I mentioned to someone about doing the Saturday there now and they told me they knew because they saw it on their web site. So I decided I wanted to see what it said.

During my search I couldn't find anything about karaoke. But what I did see was their hours of operation. It said that Fridays & Saturdays they close at 12 midnight. The bar is open till 2 AM.

Maybe that's why they can't get people to come out.

I have seen many web sites of bars and KJs that are way out dated with incorrect info. A website that isn't up to date looks worse than no website, to me.

If you use a website keep it up to date and correct. Or just use generic info that doesn't need changed weekly.

Since this is a chain bar/restaurant, it may take an act of Congress to change anything.

Why does the "KJ" have to be the one to handle the business and advertising for the bars I work in?

Years ago I worked a bar and I actually went to the newspaper and redesigned their ad to get more info in the same space. I never even told or asked them about it. I just did it.

It's my time and money going in to advertising that I do to promote the karaoke nights in the form of calenders, in this case the $500 light and bar posters and song book ads. The last thing I need is the bar working against my efforts. Accidentally or on purpose.

[Bigdog]

It appears that the bar has more than one website. The one I saw was the corporate one with the wrong hours and there is one with local ties that has the karaoke information and drink specials and stuff.

Now I question the need for 2 different sites. How are people supposed to know there are 2 sites and which one they are on or should be looking at?

The corporate one is pretty generic with just general corporate info. It doesn't get specific about much except the wrong hours of operation.

The local one is much nicer and more informative. The corporate site should have a link on it to the local store site. Again, why do I have to think about all of this and call the manager to tell him? It's not my business. But if I don't do it, it won't get done.

I told the one manager tonight about the hour mistake. I'll have to tell the other one about putting a link to their local site on the corporate one.

This all goes back to how I run my karaoke business. When I work at any bar doing karaoke I treat and act like I own the bar. I observe and report on things that are wrong or need corrected. Such as safety items or goofy stuff like the web site mistakes, to needing paper towels in the mens room or grabbing a mop and wiping up spilled drinks before someone slips and falls and cleaning off dirty tables. Also spotting trouble brewing between patrons.

Just as I am a reflection of the bar, the bar is a reflection on me. If the staff can't keep up or has no desire to keep up, somebody has to take charge. Most of the time the managers are useless. I see people come in all the time looking for places to sit. If the tables are dirty they keep moving on. Sometimes they move right on out the door to the next bar. I want to make sure they stay for some period of time. I'm worth more than any bar pays me.

[Sabrina59]

I do the same thing, BD; even at the bar where I'm not running the show! I've bussed tables at the deli since seating is limited. Like you said, if there isn't a place to sit people will keep right on moving.

I don't know why owner's can't pay more attention to their business.

[spotlightjr]

It amazes me the sheer lethargic mentality of the venue owner/managers I work for. It seems as if once they secure me as entertainment they do little or nothing to help promote karaoke night. It's always me who designs and purchases table tents, or suggests calling distributors for free banners, t-shirts, hats, etc. It's also me who calls the local paper to put in the free ad for the entertainment section. it's me who facebooks, myspaces, meetups, etc to get people out and patronizing their establishments.
You can also bet I bus tables, seat people, clean up spills, etc. Design posters and put up at the front door or on the restroom doors. The only time I really get any assistance is when I ask for it which really annoys the hell out of me. What I consider common sense is often met with glaring looks from bartenders or servers and usually pisses me off.
Most of the venues I do are pretty busy but I'm just waiting for a manager to start whining about numbers. I'm pretty easy to get along with unless you push my buttons.
WOW..... I just read this and realize how upset this really makes me. YUK

[Bigdog]

People think I make this stuff up.

In 17 years I have not worked for or seen one bar owner that totally knew how to run the bar to make all the money that was there for the taking.

It's very frustrating to see how really stupid they are.

Tonight I suggested to the new manager that they try to put a link on the corporate site directing them to their local site. He says he will call corporate on Monday to get them to change the hours and ask about the link thing.

First of all if they like the/my/his idea he will get an atta-boy. Maybe even some money in the form of a raise. He looks like a genius and I'm still the idiot.

I cleaned a table off tonight. The place was packed and some people just walked in and were looking at their seating options. They looked at the dirty table (it looked like someone could have still been sitting there) and all around the bar. There were no other seats. So I went over and told them it was empty and took the dirty glasses to the bar. The bartender then came over to wipe the table off.

As far as the free stuff bar owners could ask for and get....they don't unless prodded to do so. Even then it's like you asked them to murder someone.

The bar manager told me today about some TV sports package they just bought for Saturday nights. That's karaoke night. He said he was worried about building the saturday night. Like he's already giving up on saturday being a karaoke night. Tonight was nuts. I never saw 3/4 of the people in the bar before. 25 singers. Best saturday since I started. The manager was smiling. But the sports thing bothers me. I know how disruptive the sports crowds can get.

I think one of the other managers just wants to watch the games instead of working.

I will never understand bar owners or women.

[Sabrina59]

I can guarantee that you will understand bar owners way before you ever begin to understand women. I'm not sure we understand ourselves.

[Bigdog]

[quote="Sabrina The Cat"][/quote]

[Acclaim]

Hello All,

I agree with Bigdog that there are very few bar owners that know how to run their business. They may Have a DJ on Friday and Karaoke on Saturday and have one of those changing 'adversting signs' with the big arrow that lights up but NOT advertise their entertainment! Why ?

Your job is not just to be the KJ but you must also act as 'consultant' to the bar. One of the things I tell my bar owners to do is to put a TV in the Bar that has the Karaoke screen on it.

Why ? there are some people that LOVE to come fo the bar and participate from the bar in Karaoke Night but NEVER sing. Having a TV in the bar for them to watch along is recommended.

Will the bar owner listen? sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Helping the bar owner helps you!

Jason Christopher
Acclaim Productions.