Loneavenger said:
You're missing the point Joe, it doesn't matter how many times you say it , it won't become true. There are some bars that will not pay more and it doesn't matter if you're the worlds greatest host, to believe differently is naive.
Disagree, and have experienced the proof. A $75 KJ only has to put $225 into the till to be profitable. If that's all one can do, then $75 is a fair price for that KJ. If a KJ has a record of putting 2 grand into the till, the only owner that won't pay more is probably illegal and trying to stay under the radar- a venue no one needs. If you get too successful you get fired, or furloughed until it quiets down.
Of course, the host must prove his/her worth, and be able to sell his/herself. A bar owner says he can't "afford" to pay more is insulting your intelligence, since a good host brings in more profits and doesn't "cost" ANYTHING.
While there certainly may be shady owners, or those with outstandingly low IQs ( maybe they inherited the place?), the majority will always lay out a bit more if they are convinced that the return would be much more. Of course, it's up to the host to do the convincing. If the owner can't be convinced, a KJ should re-think his/her presentation.
The only other exception is if one is going after bars that, even if full, aren't big enough or can sell enough ( for instance, there are small bars in Florida that can only sell beer, wine, and wine coolers- no high profit ****tails or food) to afford entertainment. A fifteen seater just hold enough people to generte enough sales. Then it's just a matter of finding proper venues.
Only one other person in the area charges more than me ( he HAS to due to how he runs his business) and he and I get our asking prices, which are usually at least $75-$100 more than the average here. Hosts that charge less are always wandering in, but none of the owners want to risk $1500-2500 to save $75-$100. Would you?