Pro DJ & KJ Tips – Madison Karaoke
🎧 DJ Rich’s Pro Tips for Working KJs
If you’re already running shows — or seriously planning to — this is for you.
These aren’t beginner basics. These are the real lessons you only learn the hard way… unless someone who's been through it hands them to you.
From referrals and charity gigs to shady offers and schedule sacrifices — I’ve lived it, survived it, and now I’m laying it out for the next generation of KJs who want to do it right.
Let’s level up.
These aren’t beginner basics. These are the real lessons you only learn the hard way… unless someone who's been through it hands them to you.
From referrals and charity gigs to shady offers and schedule sacrifices — I’ve lived it, survived it, and now I’m laying it out for the next generation of KJs who want to do it right.
Let’s level up.
🎤 Referrals: Your Reputation is Your Ad
Let me be clear:
Your best advertisement isn’t your flyer, your website, or even your business cards — it’s your reputation. Every show you do, every night you show up on time and keep the energy right, you’re either building referrals... or burning them.
Charities, venues, and private clients will talk. If you gave them a great experience, they’ll remember. If you gave them a discount, they’ll tell their friends — and those friends will expect the same discount. That’s how this game works.
You’ll hear things like:
“Well, you did it for this other event for less…”
“We can’t pay you full price, but this will get your name out there.”
Trust me, that script never changes. The key is being polite but firm. “Thanks for thinking of me, I’d love to help, but I need to stay close to my standard rate to keep my shows sustainable.” You don’t need to explain your pricing — you just need to hold your ground.
And one more thing:
Always get paid. Before the show, or the night of. No exceptions.
If they say they’ll "mail the check," expect not to get it. If they say “we’ll settle up at the end,” that’s a risk. You're the DJ now.
Own your value.
Your best advertisement isn’t your flyer, your website, or even your business cards — it’s your reputation. Every show you do, every night you show up on time and keep the energy right, you’re either building referrals... or burning them.
Charities, venues, and private clients will talk. If you gave them a great experience, they’ll remember. If you gave them a discount, they’ll tell their friends — and those friends will expect the same discount. That’s how this game works.
You’ll hear things like:
“Well, you did it for this other event for less…”
“We can’t pay you full price, but this will get your name out there.”
Trust me, that script never changes. The key is being polite but firm. “Thanks for thinking of me, I’d love to help, but I need to stay close to my standard rate to keep my shows sustainable.” You don’t need to explain your pricing — you just need to hold your ground.
And one more thing:
Always get paid. Before the show, or the night of. No exceptions.
If they say they’ll "mail the check," expect not to get it. If they say “we’ll settle up at the end,” that’s a risk. You're the DJ now.
Own your value.
🛠 Business Tune-Ups You Might Be Ignoring
It’s easy to get caught up in the next gig and forget your business is a business. If you’re serious about DJing or hosting Karaoke, then every once in a while you need to stop and check your toolkit.
- Are your promo materials up to date?
Your one-page sheet with logo, pricing, and a photo should look current. If it feels old to you, it feels really old to the venue owner. - Got cards?
Do they have your current number? Is the stack in your glovebox bent and dusty? Replace them. Order more. They’re still your handshake after the show. - How’s your online footprint?
Check your site. Is your gear list, pricing, or calendar accurate? Is the vibe still “you”? The difference between booking or not might come down to whether you looked active or outdated. - Have your costs changed?
Hosting ain't free. Review your expenses — gas, software, subscriptions, drive replacements. If you haven’t raised prices in years, you’re probably overdue.
❤️ Charity Gigs Without Getting Burned
Charity events will come your way — and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, they can be some of the most rewarding shows you ever do. But let’s be clear: just because it’s a good cause doesn’t mean you should get taken advantage of.
- Yes, most have a budget.
Don’t let “charity” automatically mean “free.” In my 2,500+ paid shows, I did plenty of charity events — and I got paid for most of them. They often can pay something. You decide how much you’re willing to discount, if at all. - Watch the referral trap.
Give a big discount to one charity, and pretty soon their cousin’s neighbor’s dog rescue expects the same deal. “But you did it for them!” Yeah — and now it’s your reputation on the line. Set the tone early. - Always have a quote and boundaries.
Make your expectations clear. A friendly “I’d love to help, but I do need to charge X to cover my time and gear” goes a long way. - Never book for free without a plan.
If you do waive your fee, be strategic. Is there press? Are you handing out cards? Is it really helping you grow? - And don’t ever leave without getting paid.
Unless you already agreed it was a volunteer gig, payment should happen before the show or before you load out. If they say “we’ll pay you later,” you probably won’t see it.
🪙 Lowballers and “Exposure” Offers
There’s a special place in DJ hell for the phrase: “We can’t pay much, but it’ll be great exposure.”
You will hear this. Often. And always from someone who wouldn’t dream of working for free themselves.
You will hear this. Often. And always from someone who wouldn’t dream of working for free themselves.
- Here’s the truth:
These aren’t opportunities — they’re shortcuts for someone else to save money. If they truly valued entertainment, they’d budget for it. - Exposure doesn’t pay your bills.
You know what gets you more gigs? Being good. Being professional. And being seen at shows where you’re valued — not used. - There’s a difference between helping and being hustled.
You want to help a friend? Fine. You want to do a fundraiser you believe in? Cool. But don’t let someone frame their event as your lucky break. - They’ll say it helps your business.
I say: your business will grow the moment you stop accepting gigs that treat you like an afterthought. Respect attracts respect. - Set your rate and own it.
You don’t have to be expensive — just consistent. The people who really want you will pay. The ones who haggle probably never would’ve valued you anyway.
🎯 Sacrifices of the Job No One Talks About
Nobody puts this in the job description — but if you’re doing Karaoke or DJ work the right way, you’re going to sacrifice things.
- Friday nights. Saturday nights. Holidays.
Gone. Those are your workdays now. While your friends are relaxing, you're hauling gear into a bar, setting up soundchecks, and staying until the lights come on. - You’ll miss birthdays, anniversaries, BBQs, even football games.
This life isn’t a 9 to 5. You work when others play. - Late nights wear you down.
You're packing up gear at 2 a.m., driving home with ringing ears and your back screaming. You get stiff. You get tired. But you do it because you love it — or because it's what puts gas in the tank. - Relationships? They get tested.
It takes a strong partner to understand the hours, the crowd, and the constant attention from strangers. Jealousy, misunderstanding, and loneliness are real. - Your health can suffer if you’re not careful.
Fast food. Bar food. Skipping meals. Sleeping odd hours. If you don’t create balance, the job will take it from you. - But here’s the kicker:
If you know what you're giving up — and you still say “let’s do it” — then you're already miles ahead of the dreamers.
💵 What Should I Charge? Know Your Value
Every new DJ or KJ asks this — and most get it wrong right out of the gate.
They either charge too little because they’re afraid of losing the gig, or they throw out a number with no idea what their time, gear, or experience is actually worth.
Price it like it matters. But get the gig — that matters too.
They either charge too little because they’re afraid of losing the gig, or they throw out a number with no idea what their time, gear, or experience is actually worth.
- Start by doing the math.
How much do you really spend per show? Gas, wear on your gear, music updates, your time before, during, and after the gig — it adds up fast. - Know your market, but don’t follow it blindly.
What others charge is a data point — not a rule. You might offer more. You might be better. You might just have better taste. Own it. - Stick to your number — but be flexible with strategy.
You don’t have to discount — you can structure.
Want the gig bad? Try this:- Offer 50% off the first two or three shows in exchange for a 10-show agreement
- Or go month-to-month, but require a minimum of X shows to start
- Or offer a flat rate for trial month pricing if they book multiple nights
- And remember this:
If you need to work — get the gig. Do what you need to make it happen, as long as it doesn’t wreck your value long term.
Price it like it matters. But get the gig — that matters too.
🥃 Should You Drink While DJ’ing?
You’ll be offered drinks. Maybe every night. Maybe free. Maybe even expected.
And look — I’m not your parent, your lawyer, or your conscience.
But I will say this: go home sober.
You’re not just hanging out — you’re in charge of the energy, the equipment, the crowd, and the timing. You’ve got gear to protect, tabs to track, and people watching your every move — including the staff and owner.
If you want to accept a drink to be polite, go light.
Let the bartender know to make it weak — or fake.
Lots of pros do this quietly. There’s no shame in staying sharp.
Because the truth is:
You don’t want to be that DJ.
Be social. Be smooth. But stay in control.
The gig lasts longer when you do.
And look — I’m not your parent, your lawyer, or your conscience.
But I will say this: go home sober.
You’re not just hanging out — you’re in charge of the energy, the equipment, the crowd, and the timing. You’ve got gear to protect, tabs to track, and people watching your every move — including the staff and owner.
If you want to accept a drink to be polite, go light.
Let the bartender know to make it weak — or fake.
Lots of pros do this quietly. There’s no shame in staying sharp.
Because the truth is:
- Drinking messes with your focus.
- It puts your reputation at risk.
- And yeah — if something goes wrong, no one’s going to say, “Well he was just having fun.”
You don’t want to be that DJ.
Be social. Be smooth. But stay in control.
The gig lasts longer when you do.
❤️ Dating & Relationships on the Job: What I Told My Guys
When I trained new DJs or KJs, one of the first things I’d tell them was this:
Don’t date the singers. Don’t date the bartenders. Don’t date the regulars.
It complicates everything.
You’re the host. The face of the night. The guy with the mic and the playlist. You already get attention — don’t make the night about you.
Most of the time, it leads to drama. Someone gets jealous. Someone gets clingy. Someone drinks too much and suddenly you’ve got tension on stage, behind the bar, or at the owner’s office Monday morning.
So I always told my team: keep it professional. Smile, flirt a little if it fits the vibe, but don’t cross the line.
But… I’ll be honest.
About nine years into hosting shows, someone walked into one of mine — just by chance.
She wasn’t looking for a DJ. And I wasn’t looking for anything either. But there she was.
And she’s still here, all these years later.
So what’s the takeaway?
Don’t date the singers. Don’t date the bartenders. Don’t date the regulars.
It complicates everything.
You’re the host. The face of the night. The guy with the mic and the playlist. You already get attention — don’t make the night about you.
Most of the time, it leads to drama. Someone gets jealous. Someone gets clingy. Someone drinks too much and suddenly you’ve got tension on stage, behind the bar, or at the owner’s office Monday morning.
So I always told my team: keep it professional. Smile, flirt a little if it fits the vibe, but don’t cross the line.
But… I’ll be honest.
About nine years into hosting shows, someone walked into one of mine — just by chance.
She wasn’t looking for a DJ. And I wasn’t looking for anything either. But there she was.
And she’s still here, all these years later.
So what’s the takeaway?
- Set a high bar.
- Protect your show, your reputation, and your future.
- And if something real shows up — you’ll know. You’ll feel it.
🎤 Final Word from The Dj
You made it to the end — that says something about you.
Most people just want the shortcut. You stuck around for the real stuff.
That means you care about doing it right.
Being a DJ — a good one — isn’t just about pressing play.
It’s about reading the room. Knowing when to turn it up.
And knowing when to shut it down.
There’s no perfect path in this business.
But if something here helped you avoid a mistake, land a gig, or stand a little taller behind the mic — then it was worth writing.
I’m not here to tell you how to do it.
I’m just here to tell you what worked for me --
and maybe help you write your own story, your own way.
See you out there.
And if someone shouts “Hey DJ!” — I hope it’s you they’re calling for.
Closing Time.
Madison Karaoke
Most people just want the shortcut. You stuck around for the real stuff.
That means you care about doing it right.
Being a DJ — a good one — isn’t just about pressing play.
It’s about reading the room. Knowing when to turn it up.
And knowing when to shut it down.
There’s no perfect path in this business.
But if something here helped you avoid a mistake, land a gig, or stand a little taller behind the mic — then it was worth writing.
I’m not here to tell you how to do it.
I’m just here to tell you what worked for me --
and maybe help you write your own story, your own way.
See you out there.
And if someone shouts “Hey DJ!” — I hope it’s you they’re calling for.
Closing Time.
Madison Karaoke
