How to become a Busker?
If you are a busker, or thinking about becoming one, then this blog post is for you: A how to guide for commercial busking.
A busker is someone who plays music, performs dances or other acts on the streets to entertain people in return for money. This is an art that has existed since ancient times and can be seen in many cultures across the world. The word “busker” comes from the word “busk” which means to play music outdoors for money.
In order to become a busker you need to have some talent such as singing well or playing an instrument well (or both). You also need to be outgoing enough so that people will stop and listen to your performance long enough for them to enjoy it enough that they feel compelled giving you some money out of gratitude for your entertainment.
You may want to consider practicing your act at home before going out there into the world so as not to lose face if things don’t go quite according to plan (e.g., if no one stops by when performing on street corners etc).
The following are some tips and suggestions that will help you get started on your path towards becoming a successful busker:
In this blog post I will explain what commercial busking is and how you can use it to become a full time busker. 00:19 – Commercial Busking Explained
First of all, let’s define it. Commercial busking is when you perform in the street for money and the main purpose of your performance is to attract customers for a business. The advantages of this type of busking are:
1. It usually pays better than performing for donations.
2. You get to perform in good locations where there are a lot of people.
3. It removes the stress from your performance because you’re no longer relying on donations from strangers so if you mess up or don’t get any donations then it doesn’t matter because you know you’re getting paid regardless.
4. It allows you to build relationships with businesses in your town which will pay off in the long run (more about this later).
5. It improves your performance by challenging you to play really well because your goal is to actually make sales for the business instead of just collecting donations.
6. It allows you to perform without worrying about permits or rules against street performances because as an employee of the business, they are responsible for making sure you have all the required permits and they also
I’ve been busking around the streets of London for nearly 3 years now, and have earned in excess of £50,000 in that time. I have had some amazing experiences, met some great people and seen more of the world than I ever thought possible.
It’s also one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it has been worth every second. So here is a list of my top tips for those who are starting out, or thinking about taking up busking as a profession.
Enjoy!
1) If you haven’t already, get yourself a working visa:
This should be your number 1 priority as soon as you step off the plane. I was very lucky to find this company before I flew out to London. They helped with everything from applying for a national insurance number to getting an account set up with HMRC (Her Majesties Revenue and Customs).
2) Get yourself registered as self-employed with HMRC:
Once you have your visa sorted and you are able to work legally in the UK it’s time to get yourself sorted with an accountant. I would recommend going with an independent accountant rather than one of the large chains. They charge less and will take
It’s that time of year again! Summer means warm weather, festivals, and lots of opportunities for busking. I have been performing on the street for over 10 years and have had my fair share of ups and downs. Here are some tips to help you on your way to making a living from busking.
1. Get Organized
It may sound obvious but being organized is key to making money from busking. If someone asks for a CD or a t-shirt, you want to be able to hand it to them as quickly as possible. Make sure everything is easy to access and in good condition.
2. Be Prepared
Make sure everything is in working order before you leave the house. Ensure you have enough cash on hand to make change. Bring plenty of water unless there is somewhere nearby where you can buy some. You never know how long your hat will be out before someone decides to throw some money in it so it’s important you are prepared for a long public performance.
3. Location Matters
The location is one of the most important aspects of busking. There are many factors that come into play when determining the best place to set up shop such as foot traffic, weather conditions, time of day/year, etc. The
I’ve been busking for almost 10 years now, and I’ve reached a pretty successful level with it. I now make my living from busking. I don’t want to give an exact figure, but lets just say it’s in the region of $100,000!
I’m going to be really honest about everything, and give you some top tips to becoming successful. You can do this part time, or full time. Some of the things I will cover are:
The best place to busk
How much you can make
What equipment you need
How to get gigs
How to promote yourself
Busking in the street for money is one of the most lucrative ways to make a living as a performer.
Busking is a great way to play music with other people and get used to performing in public.
It’s also a fantastic way to travel the world, because you can make money doing what you love.
And it’s a great way to see the world and meet new people, because you’re not stuck in an office all day.
Busking is also one of the best ways to make money from your music if you’re not signed to a major label: You can sell CDs and download cards directly to your fans on the street, without having to go through any middlemen.
You don’t need any special equipment or training; just play what comes naturally!
Of course the main reason why you are busking is to have fun, but if you are looking at this article, chances are making some money is also a motivating factor for you. The good news is that yes, busking can be a great way to make money, but there are some tricks and strategies that will help you take a bit more cash home with you at the end of the day.
Busking isn’t an easy job and it will take time to develop your act so that people will stop and watch. Time spent gathering and honing your material is never wasted. Here are some tips I’ve acquired over my own years of performing on the streets around the world:
A Bigger Show = More Money
The bigger your show, visually and sonically, the more likely you are to attract an audience and the larger that audience will be. Large audiences give you more opportunities to make money as most people who stop to watch will put a coin in your hat if they enjoy what they see.