Busking is the act of performing in a public place for voluntary donations. The word itself comes from the Spanish root word “buscar” which means “to seek”, and we believe that to be an appropriate name.
5 Methods For Successful Street Performing
1. Pick The Right Location
2. Make A Good Sign
3. Be Daring, Be Bold
4. Make Yourself Memorable
5. Sell Merchandise
When most people hear the term “busker” they think of a street performer, one whose job it is to stand on a sidewalk and sing, play an instrument, or do magic tricks for spare change. The reality, however, is that busking takes many forms.
Here are five methods for successful street performing:
1.location, location, location
2.learn what you love
3.put on a show
4.look the part
5.practice makes perfect
The following are my five methods for being successful as a busker, or street performer. I am a musician, but these tips apply to all performing artists.
1. Learn to play the hits!
I cannot stress this enough. It is much more important to play songs that people know and love than it is for you to be original or unique. If you’re playing something that only your friends or family know, you will not make any money. You need to be able to draw a crowd, and you need to be able to keep them there. Play songs that are familiar to most people in your area, and be sure to include something for everyone (for example: a little bit of rock, a little country, some oldies, etc).
2. Don’t forget the tips bucket!
This may seem obvious, but it is so very easy to overlook this essential part of street performing. Without a tip bucket out in front of you where everyone can see it and throw in their hard-earned cash, the only thing you will ever get out of your performance is the satisfaction of having done it. While this may be great for some people, you need to remember that nobody wants to listen to music if they’re not getting anything out of it (
Whether you’re busking on the streets for cash or just for fun, it’s a great way to hone your skills and connect with an audience.
Here are some tips for success:
Don’t play cover songs: It’s better to play your own songs, because they are less likely to get turned off by the police.
Be entertaining: Give people something they’ve never seen before. Make sure you’re doing something that is going to keep their attention and make them remember you!
Find the right spot: Some cities have regulations that restrict buskers from playing within 50 feet of buildings. Find out where those ordinances are posted before heading out on your first day! And if you don’t know where they’re posted? Just ask someone who does! (The cops will know.)
Get permit from city hall and pay taxes: If you want to make money from busking, then you need to get a permit and file taxes. If this sounds like too much work for one person, then don’t do it at all! (If not, go ahead!) You will also need to register as an LLC so that other companies cannot steal your ideas or take credit for them later on down the road when success comes knocking at your door…
Learning how to busk on the street is a process of figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes there are small things that you can do that make a huge difference to your income.
My favourite thing about busking is that you can perform anywhere in the world. If you have a musical instrument or another skill, it’s great to be able to travel around and play for people. Or if you’re like me, you just love the feeling of walking around a new city with your accordion in tow, looking for that perfect spot where people are going to love sharing in your music.
If you’re reading this then I assume you’re looking for some tips on performing on the streets. It’s not an easy job – especially when there’s so much competition! But it’s also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done (and no, it’s not just about the money). It’s incredible how much you learn from playing for people on the street. You have to be able to change your approach at the drop of a hat, because there’s always someone who isn’t interested in listening to music. But when someone does stop and listen, it can be an amazing experience for both of you!
The UK’s first ever Street Performance World Championships take place this weekend in Covent Garden, London.
The event will showcase a diverse range of acts from all over the world, including music, dance and magic.
Ahead of the championships we talked to some top acts to find out how they built successful careers out of busking on the streets.
Diversify! You want to give people options. If that means a hat and a guitar, do it. If it means working with a partner, or adding a hacky sack to your repertoire, then do it. Make the most of what you’ve got and what you’re good at.
You will keep 10% of the money people put in your hat, so make sure to keep some change handy. I also recommend keeping an extra $1 bill or two handy so that when someone drops $10 in your hat, you can quickly hand them back their change and flash them a big smile (you’ll be surprised how effective this is).
If you have a chance to sit down and play for tips, DO IT! This is the best way to get more money for less work. It’s harder to ignore someone who is sitting down in front of you than someone who is standing up and walking around.
Always try to engage the crowd as much as possible. Ask them questions about their lives, like if they are on vacation or here for business. Even if they aren’t interested in talking with you, they will watch you play longer because they feel like they have a connection with you.
Don’t forget that just because someone doesn’t put money in