Would you give free karaoke to gain a booking?

[Excalibur]

Slightly miffed. Had a phone conversation with a prospective client, and she asked if karaoke was an option. I said yes, for a very reasonable figure. ( as I thought ) and expected to win it.

It's just been closed on NaD, because the winner offered Free Karaoke. How many people do/ would offer free karaoke? Anonymous poll on its way.

[ppentertainments]

Slightly miffed. Had a phone conversation with a prospective client, and she asked if karaoke was an option. I said yes, for a very reasonable figure. ( as I thought ) and expected to win it.

It's just been closed on NaD, because the winner offered Free Karaoke. How many people do/ would offer free karaoke? Anonymous poll on its way.

I'll be honest and do offer karaoke for free for most bookings - main reason is that even when it's on offer no one tends to use it anyway.

[SC Events]

I don't advertise that I offer Karaoke, but if asked then I charge and additional £50.

Just like with music, I have to spend time and money searching and buying Karaoke tracks, so I think it's only reasonable to add on a surcharge to cover the additional costs.

[funkymook]

I don't advertise that I offer Karaoke, but if asked then I charge and additional £50.

Just like with music, I have to spend time and money searching and buying Karaoke tracks, so I think it's only reasonable to add on a surcharge to cover the additional costs.

That’s not much of an extra charge considering how much karaoke costs (equipment, songs etc) - is it actually worth your while? How long before you get your investment back?

[Excalibur]

That’s not much of an extra charge considering how much karaoke costs (equipment, songs etc) - is it actually worth your while? How long before you get your investment back?

The $64,000 question. Some of us offer it because if we didn't, we would lose work, not because we like it. Pricing it is the rock and a hard place scenario. Enough to be financially viable, but not too much to lose the gig.

So, to broaden it a bit, which is fairer? Stick thirty quid on every function, so you can offer free karaoke once a month, or only stick the thirty quid on the gigs that want it?

In my opinion, karaoke entails extra work, ( and kit, ie monitor at least ) so why shouldn't it be chargeable? In the wedding DJ thread, many of us equated work done with fee charged.

[SC Events]

That’s not much of an extra charge considering how much karaoke costs (equipment, songs etc) - is it actually worth your while? How long before you get your investment back?

What extra equipment do I need? If i'm already there doing a disco, I have microphones, PA, Lighting etc. The only addition I need is a 19" Monitor to display the lyrics.

[funkymook]

What extra equipment do I need? If i'm already there doing a disco, I have microphones, PA, Lighting etc. The only addition I need is a 19" Monitor to display the lyrics.

Yes, the monitors (I assume you already use a mixer suitable for karaoke then, most DJ’s don't) plus all the karaoke files and the ongoing costs of keeping them up to date.

[Benny Smyth]

Yes, the monitors (I assume you already use a mixer suitable for karaoke then, most DJ’s don't) plus all the karaoke files and the ongoing costs of keeping them up to date.

Not to mention the compensation required for forsaking your sanity to listen to Aunt Mabel murder I Will Survive.

Three times.

[musicology]

I hate karaoke so have never got involved with it. There are some people who think you would automatically do it for some reason. I think it won't be long before they will be expecting uplighting automatically included in the price as well.

[funkymook]

Never been asked - I assume that’s because I attract a higher class of client :sofa:

[rth_discos]

I don't touch karaoke

However, with the nature of NAD, it's likely that other operators will be happy to offer karaoke for free to get the sale.

So on that basis, is the value in spending money on more equipment based on getting more gigs, as you're seen to be offering better value for money, rather than higher paying gigs.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Not entirely unrelated I'm dealing with a similar thing and wish I'd just hung up when they started.

Quite brazenly asked for free moodlighting, nope and explained the time and costs associated with a moodlight hire.

Free vocal set, nope (technically it costs nothing for me to do but I spend anything between 3 - 10 hours rehearsing for every set booking I get)

Free dancing on the clouds, I don't even offer this!!! and I know people offer this gratis but WHAT?!?!?

Then she asked again if it wouldnt be possible to do the moodlighting for free!!!


They still decided to go ahead and book after all of that :rolleyes: and we're now in contract and deposit limbo where if they've signed the contract but not cleared the balance to the point I had to get in touch with the guy today and say this has gone on long enough, if it's not in my account by Midnight I'm rescinding it and they can find someone else at short notice.

Seriously, every single thing we do costs us in time or money so nothing should be given away for free and if you do need to rely on free moodlighting, dancing on the clouds, fire eating or whatever else to get bookings then you need to have a look at the basics of what you're doing that doesn't lead people to want to book you unless you're throwing in freebies and sweeteners.

[rth_discos]

Seriously, every single thing we do costs us in time or money so nothing should be given away for free and if you do need to rely on free moodlighting, dancing on the clouds, fire eating or whatever else to get bookings then you need to have a look at the basics of what you're doing that doesn't lead people to want to book you unless you're throwing in freebies and sweeteners.

Freebies and sweeteners are fine... if you've already accounted for them within your initial pricing.

I'm strict with my pricing. I value my time, and I know the worth of the service I offer. The way I market myself attracts people who also value my service, and therefore I avoid the "I need the lowest price possible"/"Can you give me all this extra" people.

This in itself makes the job so much more enjoyable, as I'm attracting the type of client that I want to work with!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

OOh, I can reply to a thread on a Friday night! (just got back from a few days off).

I advertise that I offer Karaoke. I don't like doing it, never have but if it gets me a booking then I will do it.
However....I wouldn't offer it for free just to get a booking.
I don't use a mixer that can cope with Karaoke so I'd have to use a different one and it would also mean me taking additional equipment.
I simply say that there is an additional charge for Karaoke.

[DazzyD]

I used to offer karaoke as a add-on to discos for an extra £30/£50 depending on how long they wanted the karaoke part to last. Now I don't advertise it and don't offer it as an add-on at all. I used to be able to pull off mixing karaoke and disco but the last few times I did it I realised it was getting more and more hard work to keep everyone happy. I will do karaoke nights, though. I've never offered it for free, though. I've always believe it has it's own value and have charged for it.


Yes, the monitors (I assume you already use a mixer suitable for karaoke then, most DJ’s don't) plus all the karaoke files and the ongoing costs of keeping them up to date.

I've always used a powered mixer with onboard DSP effects so it's been ideal for karaoke as well as the disco. I started with karaoke and then got in to normal discos and family parties later on.


Not to mention the compensation required for forsaking your sanity to listen to Aunt Mabel murder I Will Survive.

Three times.

My pet hate is The Best. I will survive does make my top 5 of "hated karaoke" tracks, though. And I once had a local gangster sing The Verve's The Drugs Don't Work several times in one night. The manageress said just to let him as it is best that way!! :eek:

[Excalibur]

OOh, I can reply to a thread on a Friday night! (just got back from a few days off).

I advertise that I offer Karaoke. I don't like doing it, never have but if it gets me a booking then I will do it.
However....I wouldn't offer it for free just to get a booking.
I don't use a mixer that can cope with Karaoke so I'd have to use a different one and it would also mean me taking additional equipment.
I simply say that there is an additional charge for Karaoke.


I used to offer karaoke as a add-on to discos for an extra £30/£50 depending on how long they wanted the karaoke part to last. Now I don't advertise it and don't offer it as an add-on at all. I used to be able to pull off mixing karaoke and disco but the last few times I did it I realised it was getting more and more hard work to keep everyone happy. I will do karaoke nights, though. I've never offered it for free, though. I've always believe it has it's own value and have charged for it.


Lads, you've restored my faith in human nature. There's a :beer1: each with your name on it at BPM. :)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks Peter but as usual I won't be at BPM.
When I have my meetings with customers before their bookings I always say that I am there to provide a Disco and not Karaoke. The reason being is that probably 5 times out of 10 someone at a booking will come up and say "Have you got a microphone? Can I sing along to this as I know all of the words".......Er, NOPE!
Firstly, as I said above and secondly, the Denon doesn't have effects for vocals. They'd be singing 'flat' for starters.
I put it in big bold text on my DJ sheet "NO KARAOKE" and I show the person asking and say "Sorry, but they don't want any of that".

The only time anyone other than myself will use my microphone is if it is to say thanks to everyone for attending, a speech or if something has been arranged in advance.
A while back a young lady sang the first dance (Christina Perri - A Thousand Years) and I just played the Karaoke version through VDJ and she sang 'Flat'. I am not setting up extra equipment just for 1 song either.

[musicology]

I let someone sing along if they want. Just a bit of fun and they usually get a bit of a cheer! I'm pretty relaxed about that sort of thing.

[Nakatomi]

I let someone sing along if they want. Just a bit of fun and they usually get a bit of a cheer! I'm pretty relaxed about that sort of thing.

I used to be. Learned that lesson the hard way. I stupidly didn't have a spare mic back then & I had to argue tooth & nail to get it back. "Just one more" the guy said. Almost cost me the whole night. Never again.

I still get asked occasionally if people can 'do' karaoke. They don't seem to notice the lack of monitors & would be happy just to 'sing' along with tracks. I just say no. I won't say I hate karaoke with all my being, but I'm not its biggest fan. Some dedicated places like London's Bloomsbury Lanes have the right idea.. private booths for small groups to book out & use. Been there. Done that. Great fun.

If certain companies are including the kitchen sink with every booking, I say let them. It's their own margin they're decimating.

[funkymook]

I might start offering MC’oke...I supply a red coat and wireless mic and let anyone have a go at running the day, that way I still get the extra money but there’s no preparation or hassle.

[Excalibur]

Freebies and sweeteners are fine... if you've already accounted for them within your initial pricing.


Sorry, I missed this earlier. :o You are totally and utterly correct there Sir. That leads me to suggest that those who don't want to have said freebies are paying for something they haven't asked for, and didn't want.


I let someone sing along if they want. Just a bit of fun and they usually get a bit of a cheer! I'm pretty relaxed about that sort of thing.

I'm pretty relaxed about a lot of things, but not that! If it's karaoke, they get access to mics for singing, if it's not they don't normally. It tends to open floodgates I'd rather were closed.

[musicology]

Yes it could get out of hand but it's about managing it. I've never had a problem.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

The thing is......in my opinion, it's NOT a bit of fun. I'm not a grump whatsoever but Karaoke and Discos are 2 totally different things and I prefer to stick to the latter.
I am not going to hand my mic over to someone firstly because I don't know what they are going to say when they have it in their hands and secondly because I am there to play music and not to hand over to someone who thinks they are the centre of attention.

[ckpr2]

I don't do karaoke.
But I still get people wanting to sing along to tracks through the mic.

[Benny Smyth]

"I want to sing to this song."

"Who's stopping you?"

;)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Someone once asked me "Have you got a microphone?" when I was holding it in my hand. I said "No, sorry" and they said "Ok" and walked off.

[ckpr2]

I am not going to hand my mic over to someone firstly because I don't know what they are going to say when they have it in their hands and secondly because I am there to play music and not to hand over to someone who thinks they are the centre of attention.

Its amazing how many people think they can sing when they are dreadful.
I see this on X factor a lot. Someone performs then stands there with a big grin on their face thinking they did great when they were terrible
Some people just have faulty ears.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Yes and there are also those that when you are providing Karaoke, they hold the mic as if they think they are Eminem or something and cover the actual bulb with their hand and then wonder why it (they!) sounds rubbish.

[Imagine]

I offer it - but with a twist ;)

I offer an 80's only package (original light boxes etc.....piece of cake to set up compared to some of the modern stuff), and I offer 80's-only karaoke with that, and that only. This way, there's only a finite number of tracks I've had to purchase and you don't get people trying to sing along to the modern dross :)

[mattydj50]

I used to offer karaoke as a add-on to discos for an extra £30/£50 depending on how long they wanted the karaoke part to last. Now I don't advertise it and don't offer it as an add-on at all. I used to be able to pull off mixing karaoke and disco but the last few times I did it I realised it was getting more and more hard work to keep everyone happy. I will do karaoke nights, though. I've never offered it for free, though. I've always believe it has it's own value and have charged for it.



Exactly the same as me, though I used to charge £75 a night. Due to space constraints, I often had to do an extra trip to a venu with the extra Karaoke gear, as I needed an extra, dedicated mixer, 2 karaoke players (one of which failed its PAT test and teh drawer got stuck (with a disc in it), box of discs, 2 (old style) tellys (one for the singer and one for the guests to follow along), mic stands, telly stands, box of cables and any other assorted junk.

Usually an extra 30-45 minute set-up (when the full set up window could be as little as 30 minutes), I charged the extra to cover my costs and time. The level of charge did I imagine put one or two off (it was designed to!) and, in the last 3 years I had the grand total of 4 bookings, one of which elicited the magnificent sum of THREE singers (with only five songs between them) during the whole night!

One of those fell down when I suffered my heart attack last year and the replacement DJ did not offer karaoke (my gear was locked away at home) and for 2015 and 2016 I have the sum total of karaoke bookings of (out of a total booking number in excess of 300 for the two years) of........

ZERO.

So, in consultation with the venue (my regular hotel residency), we decided to no longer offer karaoke as a service. Should any client request karaoke, I would either hire in (and charge the cost back to the client) or they have the opportunity to arrange their own.

The costs to update and maintain a suitable standard of service would far outweigh the revenue projected in the foreseeable future, so it was, in our opinion, the only realistic option available.

[Andy P]

My business is disco and karaoke so its part of the service and part of the price. Its really not much difference to me bringing in an extra monitor on a stand. Unlike most however I like karaoke and a good sing and it was a huge part of why I started up.