So...ya wanna be a karaoke host
By Dave MacDonald
There are currently many, many wonderful KJ’s out there hosting each night. Having met some of them, their shows are usually quite different but all are very enjoyable. The host will usually make (or break) a show so, as in any business, customer service is always the number one priority.
This article will focus more on the hardware requirements as one of the most popular karaoke sites, www.karaoke.com, now has 3 complete KJ packages for KJ’s just starting out, differentiated by price (US$). What’s great about these systems is that they are portable, high-powered, easy to use and pre-assembled.
Karaoke.com also used quality product names such as JVC, Crest Audio, Community Speakers, On-stage Stands, Raxxess and Gator Cases. Please allow 2-3 business days to receive these shipments and note that karaoke.com ships these items to the 48 contiguous US states only. Express UPS shipping is also not available on these items.
KJ System #1 – US $3,995.00
This KJ System Includes:
- Karaoke.com pro-system PRSYS01
- DKKaraoke 1,700 song Millenium
- Audio Stream AS890 Wireless Microphone
- 2 karaoke.com microphones
- Music book deluxe song book maker
- 13” Colour TV with TV Monitor stand
KJ System #2 - US $4,995.00
Includes all of the above as well as:
- a Community Subwoofer and
- the 12 most recent Pop Hits Monthly Country, Pop & Urban karaoke CDGs.
KJ System #3 – US $5,995.00
This KJ System includes what’s in #2 as well as:
- the Community speakers – 2 pair
- 12 of the Pop Hits Monthly Rock CDGs, and
- the Shure Wireless Microphone System.
Please note that you are by no means ready to go as you still have to create your karaoke books and song request slips and purchase pencils, ensure the cabling is all there, purchase a monitor if you want your singers to hear themselves well, initiate your marketing campaign, etc.
We believe it is important to understand exactly WHY you are getting into this business. If you think you get to sing all night, will be liked or respected as a KJ, think this is an “easy” job, etc., you will be very disappointed. A KJ’s job is to provide their karaoke services to the customers. They also have to deal with difficult bar management, staff and drunk customers
Although you likely will be required to sing, you are not “in concert”. Setting up and tearing down the equipment quickly becomes a pain. You mistakenly skip a person in the rotation and you’re toast.
The rewards of this job are many, however. Meeting new, wonderful people who ultimately may become life long friends, the fun you have watching others having fun, the satisfaction of knowing you put on a great show, “regulars” of the bar whom come out week after week to lend their support to your show, the financial rewards of being in business for yourself, the natural high you get by just being there and in control dispensing liberal amounts of fun, etc.
Also very important is, of course, the Business Plan which will allow you to map out where you want to take this company over the next, say five years. Specifically, all of your financial and marketing information needs to be done in order to focus your time, energy, and resources appropriately. If you require financing (and not too many of us have at least C$15,000.00 - C$20,000.00 sitting around), it is imperative to have this plan in order to secure financing. Even with this document, however, you will still be required to put some of your own money into this business venture.
Depending upon what you hope to get out of this venture, the benefits will likely far outweigh the negative aspects associated with this business. Good luck and may your God bless you.
About the Author:
Mr. MacDonald, B.A.A. is editor of a new online monthly publication called Karaoke Scoop Ezine. He has been a desktop publishing professional for 15 years already and has been participating at various karaoke venues for over 10 years. He is also co-owner of A Cut Above Karaoke/DJ Services for over 7 years hosting shows ranging from 30 to 450 guests to date. Please check out his website at www.karaokescoop.ca for more information.
Dave MacDonald may be contacted at http://www.karaokescoop.ca/ or email admin@karaokescoop.ca.
