How to Win at Karaoke (and Business)

#FPF – Week 33

About half of our team was out this week with Julie and I on our company retreat. Each year, we take team members that have been with the company at least a year on a cruise.

During the course of the trip, there are many activities for people to enjoy – one of them being late-night karaoke.

I consider myself more of a karaoke spectator than a participant, but for some: that time in the spotlight is the highlight of their day. Some people are really amazing, and some… well.. aren’t so awesome. This got me thinking, karaoke singers are a lot like people starting a business or launching a new product line. It takes the right mix of circumstances and efforts to be successful. Let’s take a deeper look at the items needed to win at karaoke (and in business).

Take a Moment to Read the Room

Before jumping in and picking a song to sing, it’s important that you first take a look around and get a feel for your room. Does it look like the audience is older? Younger? Country music fans? Rock music fans? 90’s hip-hop fans? Figuring this out first (and choosing a song that will work best for the crowd) will give you your first valuable leg up in winning over the room.

Remember, Everyone is there to Have Fun

Now that you’ve figured out what genre of music your crowd will respond best to, it’s important to remember that everyone is there to have fun (not to fall asleep). Accordingly, it’s important to choose a song that 1, you know really well and 2, that will foster a good time for the observers. Case in point – if given the choice, it would be better to roll with “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974), vs “When Will I Be Loved” (also 1974). Don’t get me wrong, both are great songs in their own right, but one is up-beat and happy to listen to and sing along with, while the other is downright depressing. Couple a depressing song with someone that can’t sing in the first place makes for an incredibly painful experience for everyone in the room.

Showmanship + Effort > Raw Talent Alone

Ok, it’s your turn. The lights come up, your song starts… This is your moment. If singing is more your passion than your profession, it’s important to remember that showmanship and effort in working the crowd has the opportunity to pay off even more than standing in one spot – reading the words as they flow across the screen.

Bringing it All Home

Mastering the sections above will give you the best possible opportunity for winning at karaoke. Now let’s take the same steps and apply them to a business or product/services launch. The same things are true:

Know your audience
Choose products and services that you know best and work best for your audience
Apply the hard work and effort to achieve mass appeal

What’s your favorite karaoke song? Need some inspiration?

Here’s the Top 15 Karaoke Songs of All Time:

“Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey
“Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
“Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
“Summer Nights” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard
“You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette
“Baby One More Time…” by Britney Spears
“Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice
“Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
“Wannabe” by Spice Girls
“Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles
“Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang