Busking is a great art. It’s enjoyable, entertaining and a lot of fun—both for the people who busk and those who watch. While most people busk simply for the fun of it, some wish to earn a living while they busk. That’s understandable, and is totally achievable.
To become a successful artist, it takes hard work, strategy and talent. No one can achieve success without having these three elements. Busking is no different. To become a successful busker, you must be willing to hone your talent, work hard and have a strategy. While we can’t teach you how to become better at busking, nor can we do the hard work for you, we can teach you a thing or two about strategy.
Strategy Counts
Even if you’re extremely talented at busking, you won’t make a living if you aren’t employing the necessary strategy to make money. That’s a fact that. Every successful busker has a strategy they follow to ensure profit. By following the tips below, you can develop a strategy that leads to success in your busking career.
Develop Your Talent
People won’t pay to watch someone who really isn’t that good. That’s why it is extremely important to practice your art to the point of perfection. Whether you’re a comedian, musician, juggler, actor or a combination of those, it’s important to get your act down pat. Then, those who see you busking will be impressed and will be more likely to give you money for your efforts.
Placement
Buskers in certain areas do better than those who busk in other areas. Placement is a very important part of successful busking. You want to “set up shop” in an area where people will actually get to see you perform. Try to observe a few different potential “spots” and pick the one that the most people go by. Make sure that there aren’t too many other buskers nearby, as they can reduce your profit.
Plan Your Act
A lot of unsuccessful buskers neglect to do one essential thing—they neglect to plan their act. Instead of taking just a few minutes to plot out their act, they go and perform unrehearsed. The result is a poorly timed act that results in little to no money earned. Don’t make this same mistake. Take some time to plan your act so that it comes across well to the people you are entertaining.
Have Your Hat In Reach
It shouldn’t be difficult for the passersby to toss some money into the hat for your effort. They should be able to just walk by and drop the money in the hat. You should put the hat right in front of where you’ll be performing. If possible, you may want to create a stand for the hat so that people can more easily reach the hat.
Thank People
Everyone loves a sincere busker. Whenever someone gives you any money, even if it’s just a little bit, you should thank them for their contribution. This does two things. The first is that it lets people know that their contribution is appreciated. The second is that it helps to increase your profit. This is because people who see you thanking someone else are more likely to give money to you because they see that you are appreciative.
Start applying the above tips to your busking, and you’ll become a profitable busker.
About The Author
Johnnie Mac is a world class, professional and leading street performer, turned celebrated musician and the only Aussie Professional Busker who provides a fast, reliable and sure-fire Busking System that can transform any busker into a well paid and highly acclaimed entertainer who enjoys a remarkably exciting lifestyle… To discover 101 Essential Tips to Earn More Money Busking visit http://www.BuskerWorld.com/freereport
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Johnnie Mac is a world class, professional, leading street performer, turned celebrated musician. He is the only Aussie Professional Busker who provides a fast, reliable and sure-fire Busking System that can transform any busker into a well paid and highly acclaimed entertainer enjoying a remarkably exciting lifestyle. To discover 101 Essential Tips to Have More Fun and Earn More Money Busking visit http://www.BuskerWorld.com/theBuskersBible
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
hey man,
brilliant website – i always thought of doing summit like this and i’m really pleased to see someone who has set up a website that promotes busking, buskers and hopefully changes the perception and people’s views of buskers that we are beggars, etc. which of course is complete crap! i’ve been busking for 10 years now, love it – never travelled with it, but locally here in newcastle upon tyne it’s great – i get great feedback, make the money and enjoy the freedom that comes with people watching, etc. while i play! – ilove it. Keep up the good work. Your tips are very helpful, cheers.
hi, ive just joined this website and am a beginner at busking and i am finding the busking laws a little restrictive in nsw. Can anyone advise me on how important it is to follow the rules to the letter? ie;is it reasonable to just ask the bussiness owner for permission to busk outside his premises and only busk if he gives you the ok, or is it assential to get that permit? here in wagga wagga nsw ive just been informed i have to apply for the dates and places i want to perform each occasion and wait up to a week for approval! it seems unresonable to me that i cant just get a 12 month permit!
There are a few good sites out there – buskerworld rocks. Also, check out buskingguide.blogspot.com for even more stuff.
To be honest,I’m shocked with this what you said.
I’m from Croatia,and we don’t have such problems.Except few areas up at the north,everything is all right(even for me and I play djembe)and there you can play easily,but you need to pay first.We object that so we are in argue all the time with them.
Everything else is just fne.sometimes police come,but only if someone call them,and then I joke with them that we see each other next day as well,and they are very polite.
Now we have Association “Street Stage”,and one of main goals is to promote street art as something very valuable,and we will work on reputation and protection for,our members,and others as well.
Cheers…
Awesome website Johnnie!
I bought the e-book, and am finding it a great read, looking forward to putting some of your tips in action!
I busked a fairbit out in australia whilst travelling there last year, and actually only arrived with $1000 AUS, so had to make all my living with busking and was reasonably successful, however on returning home i still didn’t consider it a viable option for a main source of income. However having recently acquired a licence for the london underground, I am quitting work in March in order to become a full time busker! Finally to be taking the plunge is incredibly exciting, and having got your free course while travelling in australia and doing a lot of busking in Kings cross (sydney) it has finally given me the confidence to rely solely on busking for my main income!
So just wanted to say thanks very much, and I will continue to post here as I progress!
Regards,
Jamie B
Thanks Jamie its great to see you creating what you want for your life and having the strength to go for it.
It takes a lot to break out of the system that everyone feels we should follow (ie a 9-5 day job)
and live the way your heart is telling you. Writing the Buskers Bible was an inspiration for me to keep living this life
and Im glad that it is helping you and many others in the same way. I look forward to your future posts and stories
that will keep inspiring all of us to keep playing our music or performing our art on the streets of our towns.
cheers Johnnie
This is absolutely brilliant! I’ve always wondered about busking… but street performing seems kinda scary. This post has inspired me to look into it more – I’ve found a few blogs that have helped – namely yours and americanbusker.wordpress.com are really helpful. Americanbusker talks about how the “seed money” shouldn’t be seen as dishonest, but I am still uncomfortable with it. I am assuming it is one of those things in the trade that you just have to deal with if you are gonna do it… I really should just go out there and do it, shouldn’t I? Anyways, thanks for all of your tips, Johnnie!
Hey Mike thanks so much for your positive comments and appreciation I’m so glad its helping you. Your absolutely right mate the best thing to do is to get out and experience it for yourself and the fear will gradually go. I haven’t really thought much about the seed money. Sometimes I don’t have any as the kids have spent it all on chips or ice creams. It doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference in the long run if you have all the other factors I talk about right, so if you don’t feel comfortable doing it leave it out. Sometimes people put something in just because they see your case is empty so it can work both ways. Happy busking and keep letting us know how you are going as we love to hear how buskers are doing out there, the more comments the better it is for everyone out on the street.
cheers johnnie
. .Good point on the tips in busking for profit. I’ve found that it helps to keep a few things in mind. One thing I do is not only thank a contributor, but try to give something back. Until I finish an album, I have the ‘so far’ sessions uploaded on my website and have them on free download until they are finished so there’s always free music there . when somebody gives, I give back. I also always start with a bill/note. Metal coins I also try to slide under my bills; people will give what they see there. Larger denominations I always try to move to the top so they are seen and copied.
Thanks Greg a great comment, its always good to be able to give back. If you have notes or bills in your hat then i have also found people will follow and copy what they see. cheers johnnie