Hiring out equipment
Whether you are hiring your services or just hiring equipment, get a signed agreement stating what is required of the hirer. For equipment hire this agreement should include the hirer's responsibility for any damage, breakages or losses.

It's important to confirm who the hirer is. This simply can be done by asking to sight a driver's licence (or any two forms of identification that matches). Label your equipment well (with your company name and telephone number) and keep serial numbers in a safe place. Labeling individual discs for entertainers is always a proactive approach to theft. This should include your company name and telephone number. Offering free delivery of hire equipment allows you (or your staff) to check out the location, premises and hirers. Roadcases will protect and minimise damage to equipment in transit prolonging their life span and ultimately saving you money.

Keep it simple
Spending a few moments showing the customer how to use the equipment and what to do in the event of a failure is a prerequisite. Just because you know your equipment inside out doesn't mean your customers do. They just want a good time not a long technical lesson in how to use the hire equipment. So keep it simple and logical when explaining how to use equipment. You may want to leave a A4 sheet which is laminated which has your contact details on it and some of the frequently common occurrences. For example if they haven't got sound maybe a speaker lead has been disconnected etc. Make sure song books are easy to use (use SONG BOOK CREATOR software from Laser Direct) and look for ways to simplify your operations with your customer in mind! Get your customers to repeat operations back to you encouraging questions before you leave so your customer is confident in their ability to use the equipment. Help them with some tips and techniques by saying "parties always go better if one person is operating the Equipment all night".

Maintain Equipment
Keep leads and equipment in good operating condition. Any faults should be fixed as soon as they happen. Utilise your common sense - don't let customers help you install, dismantle or carry equipment. They are likely to bump into doors or drop equipment and pull leads straight out of mains sockets without disconnecting the power first. There is not much revenue from electrocuted customers! Cheap microphone leads break often and professional microphones and leads are a must for the serious hire company. You can't stop people from swinging microphones in your absence but you can minimise breakage of leads by buying quality! If you are hiring microphones it always pays to leave a spare with a lead just in case.

Delivery, Signage and Presentation
When delivering and picking up equipment make sure that you never leave your vehicle unattended or unlocked. If your vehicle is signwritten than you are advertising the contents of your vehicle. Bear this in mind when you are on the road! Appearances are important and equipment in top presentation will always be treated with respect. First impressions are important. Make sure yours is a professional one. Take a little time out to think what impression you are giving your customers.

Keep your customers
A comprehensive Karaoke library is the most important thing to a customer, followed by good sound and good service. Think songs, sound and service and you won't go wrong! Don't be shy to ask for Recommendations and give out lots of business cards. You can't sell a secret. Fridge magnets and FREE offers (hire a Karaoke system and get a FREE disco light on your next hire) will have customers coming back for more! Keep an up-to-date simple customer list so you can mail out to them any new party items you may add in the future or to remind them to book early at busy times of the year.