posted
I already know that we Brits get ripped off when we buy karaoke discs, but I was wondering if I'm getting ripped on when I run a karaoke as well. For a three hour karaoke slot I currently get paid 75 Pounds at my resident venue. (I don't use any lights or extra stuff). How does this compare with you lot across the water?
Bose
Posts: 342 | From: Hull, England, Great Britain | Registered: May 2000
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That depends on the exchange rate. According to what I just read, that's roughly $112.50 in American dollars.
It's not far off of the mark where I live in Northern California, which is paid between $100.00-$150.00 per night to set up your own equipment. )$40.00-$50.00 if it's a house system)
posted
Here in London Canada, the going rate is about $150 CDN, which translates to about 100 US, for 4 hours. A few years ago it was up around 250-300, but too many people came in the business and undercut, which I'm sure is a familiar tale around North America. Now, with the exception of a couple hangers-on, most of the undercutters have gone out of business, but it's impossible to get the bars to pay more. All the KJ's should get together and set a fee schedule, but I think Clinton would have better luck with mid-east peace talks than that.
posted
$150 per night is about right for a good quality kj with his own equipment, for a 4 hour show. I have no idea about people who run house systems... I'm sure they get much less. There are others who will sometimes work for less...but they never seem to hang on too long... sometimes youget what you pay for.
Posts: 575 | From: West Hartford, CT USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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in wester PA i don't work for less than $150.00, i usually get $ 175-250 on weekends. weddings go for $400.00 and up. we have our own equipment and we use lights
Posts: 1898 | From: DuBois, PA | Registered: Jun 1997
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actually, it depends on where you are at, in philly, kj's get upwards of $300.00 a night and some areas will only pay $100.00..when i first started out i would drive to pittsburgh several days a week and get $225.00, i don't know what they are paying now..but it looks like the national average is about $ 150.00, that's sad, because i have over $100,000.00 invested between my 3 systems and $150 a night doesn't seem like alot
Posts: 1898 | From: DuBois, PA | Registered: Jun 1997
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Here in the great state of South Dakota, $200-300 is the going rate. There are a few cut rate guys the will do for less, but there equipment and music selection is pretty poor. I will not set up for less that $200.
Posts: 70 | From: Clark, SD, USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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i do private partys only and i get $250 for the first four hours and $50 for each additional hour and do very well too.
Posts: 52 | From: orleans mich usa | Registered: Mar 2000
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In Anderson, SC the shows range from 150.00 to 75.00 right now,when I first started I was the only one do karaoke here in 1992 and I really done well, now there is about 30 kj's in Anderson SC.That's what brought the price of karaoke down, everyone,s got a special for under 1000.00 taht puts in business, small pa,30 disc(450 songs) and your in the karaoke business.Before cdg's came outthe pioneer laser disc's were about 85.00 each and the complete libary was around 3200.00 just to start!
Posts: 64 | From: Anderson,S.C. USA | Registered: May 1999
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Here in Orlando, Florida, EVERYONE's in the Karaoke business!! The basic rate for club work seems to be about $75-$100 per night, a number of hotels pay around $50 a night. I've even seen some KJ's play for FREE just to be in front of a crowd. I play only private gigs now and I won't load my equipment for less than $150. Have gotten to the point where I do mainly mobile DJ work now which pays pretty well...anyone who wants to add karaoke to a DJ gig can have it FREE!! As much as I love karaoke, it's VERY low pay and as a result has a VERY bad reputation around here cause EVERYBODY is doing it, and not very well. My shows include an 8,000 song selection (includes dups) and lights. Still can't compete.
Posts: 74 | From: Orlando, Florida | Registered: Apr 1999
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In Oklahoma City, the going rate is right where it's been since we got into the business. 125.00 for a four hour weeknight show and 150.00 for a four hour weekend show. We get about 200.00 to 300.00 for private parties. There are alot of folks here doing it for less, but they don't usually stay in business long. At least they don't prove to be a threat to the real hosts who have been doing it for a while. GaryC
Posts: 426 | From: Oklahoma City, Ok | Registered: Jan 2000
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I'm sure it varies here in Massachusetts depending on where you are located. There does seem to be a KJ in almost every town and someone often tries to undercut you but they have a poorer quality system and music library. The bars and restaurants seem to offer less than a KJ can command for a party. Our expenses are very high if we continually update and upgrade. I've found out various prices when inquiring in the past and have refused the lower paying places due to my expenses. One club out here in the country pays 100.00 per hour (for four hours), another 125.00, another 150.00, another 175.00 and another 200.00. It is very competitive, however, a club that I play at refused another KJ's offer for 25.00 less because they were happy with their KJ.(me)
Posts: 137 | From: North Brookfield, MA U.S.A. | Registered: Jul 1999
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I might just have to reconsider going back to hosting. $800.00 a show is one heck of an incentive! Two shows a week (at that rate) and I could quit my day job! Hooty-hooooo!
Posts: 79 | From: Portland, Oregon USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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I started off doing 3 hour 50.00 gigs at the local pizza establisments here in So. Cal. Now i'm up to 50.00 an hour for nicer restaurants and 100.00 an hour for private shows, with or without lights, fogger etc.
Posts: 110 | From: Santa Fe Springs Cal.cou | Registered: Aug 2000
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This depends on if you are in it for the glory. If you are then you will take glory pay...about 50.00 to 75.00 in us dollars. If you do it for a living then you will accept no more than what YOU think your talent and experience are worth.
Posts: 1 | From: Tampa, Fla. USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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$200 on weekends $150 weekdays are what the K.J.'s around so. Chicago are getting. I pay $15 to $20 an hour for a K.J. at my bar, since I own my equip. If I don't feel like being a K.J. for the night, I'll have someone do it for me
Posts: 29 | From: cresthill, Il. U.S.A. | Registered: Sep 2000
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Just an opinion, if your not worth at least $150.00 for a four hour show, you need to find something else to do. Your only hurting yourself and everyone else in the business. besides by the time you buy new music (if you do) and keep your equipment in shape your working for free. Or maybe your actually "Paying to be allowed to perform".
Posts: 2 | From: Jacksonville, Arkansas | Registered: Sep 2000
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Now, now... I want to address a couple of things here regarding "getting paid what you're worth". Did all of you START your club gig at the money you make now? It has been my experience that if you want to succeed at a new venue you have to make a deal or two...typically, I will go in relatively cheap (i.e., $100-125 plus a meal) and then, when the clientele has built up (no more than three months) then you hit the club up for market value. In a saturated market like Portland, you GOTTA do this! There are so many "nickel-and-dime" operators that will make karaoke unpopular in a club. I don't know about you folks, but I have been going through absolute karaoke hell with a Chinese woman who owns a GREAT location. Unfortunately, she speaks NO English, and is constantly trying to get me in for, like, 3 nights-$250. This communication gap and her not obviously knowing how to run her business has cost me wasted time coming in. Often I would come in only to be told not to set up since there was no one there. *sigh* Nothing like wasted time. And this is one of those "potentially great" locations.... the other thing I wanted to bring up is the whole "$200 and hour" thing. Before any of you get your truck loaded with a sign saying "Haverhill or Bust" you should keep in mind one thing: What is the cost of living there? Houses rent for what? $2000? So it's no WONDER the costs are so high.... food for thought...
------------------ The only thing better than karaoke is BAD karaoke!
Posts: 745 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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I was asked to do a party once for a group I knew (except the organizer) and I told them I would give them a break and only charge $50 an hour. The organizer complained bitterly about the cost being too high, but finally said they wanted to have the party anyway. My van broke down and was told that they would help transport the equipment - could they then get a discount and have me do an entire show (4 hours) for $25 dollars. (I did get my van fixed in time). I gather the organizer could not comprehend $50 an hour so figured she misheard and figured it must be for the night. Needless to say I did not do the show. Gave me a good laugh for months.
posted
Gee ... $25 for the whole 4 hours... barely minimum wage... You have to wonder what world these people live in. Even if you call a regular disc jockey, you're never going to get anyone for less than $50/hr ... more like $100/hr or more.
Posts: 575 | From: West Hartford, CT USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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I would like to comment on the pay for Kj in the US. I just came from Europe. The pay is pathetic. Karaoke has been ruined. In Europe I received 250.00-300.00 per show, I had 4-5 days a week. Fest time was the best. I received 800.00 for 7 hours. All the money was Tax free. I come back here with over 10,000 selections and they offer me 150.00! It's ans insult. Most people in South Carolina think Karaoke is a SALAD
Posts: 71 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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doc: two words: "market saturation" ----------------- that's all I can say..*shrug*
Posts: 745 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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£75.00? I wouldn't put my equipment in the car for that! A good starting price is £100, our problem in the U.K is Tax dodgers and Benifet Frawd!!! I pay tax on everything. To the licencee of the venue no Invoice means a rock bottom fee because thay can pay £100 and book it against the Tax, No invoice and they want a better price because they have loose that money else where? paying tax is good for you because if your are paying tax you're MAKING MONEY. I'm not surgesting you are not leagl, I'm trying to point out that the kind of people who are mentioned above are resopnsible for your far to low Fees.
I am currently charging, Mon to Thurs £110 and weekends From £125 to £150 and I am working on average 5 nights a week. NEVER UNDER SELL YOURSELF.
posted
Very Well Said..Never under sell yourself. That's what has ruined the market in the United States. All the fly by night Kj's. some still using Dinosaur Discs..(Pioneer).. Still calling Karaoke "Laser Karaoke".
Posts: 71 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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That was a definate error! It was meant to be 100.00, 125.00, 150.00 or 200.00 for four hours! Sorry!
Posts: 137 | From: North Brookfield, MA U.S.A. | Registered: Jul 1999
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And, of course, a KJ can get more from parties and weddings than at clubs usually around here.
Posts: 137 | From: North Brookfield, MA U.S.A. | Registered: Jul 1999
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I just got started and have been renting machines and 450 cd pack for $100 to $125 a nite. So I'm lowering the price of the rental of the machines to $40 and making them buy their own cd's....... and charging M-Thur $175.00 for 4 hours plus $50.00 hr anything over that even if its 30 minutes. F-sat-sun 250.00 Plus $75.00 an hour xtra. Weddings $550.00 (i do DJ/Kj) Christmas parties (since there will be alot) $350. flat rate If you keep prices reasonable you stay busy. I know how there is a saturation of kj's but if your reputation and prices are good, thats Good Busines. And as always you can negotiate higher pricing for corporate events. Just did a convention..$900.00 3 hours but time involved 8hrs..
Posts: 3 | From: Dothan, AL | Registered: Sep 2000
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Here in South Central Kansas the average show for a club is anywhere from $125.00 to 200.00 depending on which company you book...and for private parties $150.00 for just the equipment and if you want a full blown set up, with DJ, Lights and Karaoke up to 400.00, plus tips.
Posts: 104 | From: Wichita, KS. USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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I was just asked, asked, A-S-K-E-D, back to the club I played for 3 years, 3 nights a week. I have gotten a very generous raise. The owner told me that after 8 months of dealing with costly bands and 3 other karaoke's with no following, he appreaciates my profesionalism, sound, selection. I was there every night, on time, never missing a night of work over those 3 years.
The 8 month absence was good for us, we both are happy to be back working together. Ah yes, the money, it is equivalent to the cost of an expensive band divided over 3, 4 hour, entertaiment nights. He is lowering prices while paying me more and we both make money.
I will miss the club I worked for in those 8 months, and I wish the owner well. I work hard for a club when I am there.
Posts: 542 | From: Mobile, Alabama, USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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HERE IN INDY I GET $150 FOR A 4 HR. SHOW, AND$300 FOR A 3HR. PRIVATE PARTY. IDON'T WANT TO OVER CHARGE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE RINKY DINK SETUPS WILL COST YOU JOBS UNLESS YOU GET THE OWNERS OF BARS AND POTETIAL PRIVATE PARTY PEOPLE TO CHECK OUT ONE OF YOUR SHOWS.
Posts: 137 | From: MOORESVILLE ,IN. U.S.A | Registered: Oct 2000
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We get $250 a night for a once a week gig. Where we're doing two gigs right now, we're getting $200 for the first and $125 for the second, and this is only because the owners are friends of the family - they got a major discount and we've never raised the price on them.
Private parties bring us $100 per hour with a two-hour minimum. After three hours, we negotiate with the host and may drop it to $80 per hour after the first three hours - flexibility is key and all factors are taken into consideration. Travel, location, amount of room we have to set up, whether or not we're the only entertainment there (for larger gatherings). If we're expected to carry 100% of the entertainment for 200+ people over four hours and it's 50 miles away, don't count on getting any discounts!
Another really, REALLY important thing to remember. It's been our experience - every time - that people don't expect our show to be as big as it is. They are expecting a "tote-around" karaoke machine with a few discs and we show up with a full set of Peavey equipment (two large speakers on stands, amp, two CD players, mixing board, four mic's not counting my headset, two TV's with wiring for house cable if available, the karaoke stand which is 2 deep, four feet high...lighting, etc...) They invariably feel much more like they get their money's worth after we set up and they see exactly how much hardware and software (plus personality) they rented!
posted
Out Heah in Takesus, least ways out heah in Abuleeeeene, we have the bar owners convinced that the show starts at 830 and is over at 11:45pm and it will cost them $175 each night. Then again, there is 'that woman' across town with ''10,000 songs'' who does 6 hours for $75 bucks, Geez Louise! Posts: 10 | From: Abilene, Texas, USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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In Ottawa Canada we have a insestuous group of about 8 scab KJs trading & duplicating each others discs. We also have 4 Legitimate "Multi-Show" Companies, and an unknown number of Legitimate Single System Shows (Like Ours) $150./4hr is average...in Canadian Funds... Three Spotlight Discs cost $165. ($189 w/tax)The first "Show-and-a-half" each month goes into new music...Glad it's a second income. ;~)
Posts: 139 | From: Ottawa, ON, Canada | Registered: Oct 2000
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