Club Hosting as a lucrative yet time-bound career choice

Piece by: PAUL AMUKO

25 July 2023

• Club hosting, also known as nightlife influencing, has become a booming industry in Kenya, with individuals leveraging their influence to promote clubs and entertainment venues.

Club hosting, also known as nightlife influencing, has become a booming industry in Kenya, with individuals leveraging their influence to promote clubs and entertainment venues.

The likes of vera sidika openly admitting that she charges 600,000 Kshs to Huddah Monroe going to the extends of charging 1.3 million just for two hours of hosting to Kamene Goro Aisha Opisa and many others.

On the Friends Vibe show, host Miss Githinji, engaged in a candid discussion with Nthenya, and Ian Officia former club hosts about the dynamics of the job, the financial rewards, the challenges, and the potential downsides.

Ian Official described club hosting as similar to being an influencer for a brand. It involves using one's influence to promote and attract people to clubs and events, acting as a bridge between the club and potential customers.

Club hosts typically leverage their popularity and following to pull crowds and create a vibrant atmosphere for the club.

According to Nthenya, being a club host requires a substantial following to be effective. The more significant the influence, the more likely they are to attract a crowd to the club.

The role of a club host is to bring people together and create an enjoyable atmosphere, which often involves calling friends and acquaintances to support the event.

Advantages of Club Hosting:

Financial Rewards: Club hosting can be financially lucrative, especially for influencers with substantial followings. It can be a full-time job if one can pull crowds consistently.
Networking Opportunities: Club hosting provides a chance to network with various individuals, including club owners, promoters, and fellow influencers, which can lead to other business collaborations.
Branding and Exposure: Successful club hosts gain visibility and build their personal brand, leading to potential endorsement deals and other opportunities.

Disadvantages of Club Hosting:

Hectic Schedule: Being a club host involves working late nights, which can interfere with daytime activities, such as regular jobs or personal commitments.
Pressure to Attract Crowds: Club hosts may feel pressured to consistently bring in a significant number of attendees, which requires constant promotion and effort.
Reputational Risks: Hosting in clubs could be associated with the partying lifestyle, potentially leading to misconceptions about one's character or values.

''Personally for me I felt like there are days that used to interfere with my social life juu usiku niko nje, during the day you will find that utalala all the time'' Nthenya

Nthenya pointed out that the nature of club hosting could lead to sleep deprivation and limited time for socializing with friends and family.

Both Ian and Nthenya recommended club hosting as a career choice, but with caution.

They advised that it is better suited for individuals with flexible schedules and the ability to cope with late-night working hours.

It is not a long-term option, as the demands of the job can be taxing both physically and mentally.

''Kama kuna mahali Ihave been around westlands wanakuambia wewe kuja tu we try, what are we trying because at the end of the day nikama ile kuambiwa starting salary ni 50,000 and then after the 3 months tutakupea 150 000 si unitie hiyo kazi after 3 months'' Ian

Miss Githinji addressed concerns about perceptions of club hosting, emphasizing that the profession should not be equated with a partying lifestyle.

'' kama wewe ni mtu uko na akili vizuri hauwezi kosa kubag 200 or 250 but now the disadvantage is hii pesa nikama inkuanga tu na maneno yake, there is nothing constructive you can see unless you are very disciplined because you can imagine at the end of the week niko 60,000 ofcourse you will squander if you don’t have anything constructive'' Ian

She encouraged open communication between partners about club hosting activities to avoid misunderstandings and maintain trust.

Overall, the discussion shed light on the world of club hosting, presenting it as a profitable venture with its unique challenges.

In the dynamic world of influencers by night, club hosting offers a thrilling experience for those with the right skill set and dedication, creating vibrant nightlife scenes and unforgettable moments for partygoers across Kenya.