How Do You Make Money Busking (Street Performing)?
Busking, also called street performing, is the showbiz equivalent of an entry-level job. Anybody can hit the street and put on a show, but if you put on a great show you could join the ranks of famous performers–Jimmy Buffett, Bob Hope, and the founders of “Cirque du Soleil”, just to name a few–who started out busking. Whether you’re a musician, magician, mime, juggler, clown, or comedian, if you can entertain people, you can make money busking. • Put together a great act. You don’t have to be great at what you do in order to busk. In fact, many would-be panhandlers (some talented, some not so much) do a little busking just to make a little extra coin. Busking is also a great way for you or your band or troupe to practice your act and just get experience playing in front of people. If you’re serious about making money, though, your act should be finely tuned and tailored to street performing. There are two basic types of street performances. • Walk-by acts are continuous performances
• Put together a great act. You don’t have to be great at what you do in order to busk. In fact, many would-be panhandlers (some talented, some not so much) do a little busking just to make a little extra coin. Busking is also a great way for you or your band or troupe to practice your act and just get experience playing in front of people. If you’re serious about making money, though, your act should be finely tuned and tailored to street performing. There are two basic types of street performances. • Walk-by acts are continuous performances. People walk by the performers and occasionally one or two will stop or somebody will just drop a tip in passing. Most musical acts are walk-by acts, and while it happens occasionally, most passers-by won’t stay for more than a song or two at most. Still, pay attention to what you’re playing when people arrive in case they stay for a while, to help avoid repeating repertoire. • Circle acts have a distinct beginning and end. The performer(s) will t
• Put together a great act. You don’t have to be great at what you do in order to busk. In fact, many would-be panhandlers (some talented, some not so much) do a little busking just to make a little extra coin. Busking is also a great way for you or your band or troupe to practice your act and just get experience playing in front of people. If you’re serious about making money, though, your act should be finely tuned and tailored to street performing. There are two basic types of street performances. • Walk-by acts are continuous performances. Walk-by acts are continuous performances. People walk by the performers and occasionally one or two will stop or somebody will just drop a tip in passing. Most musical acts are walk-by acts, and while it happens occasionally, most passers-by won’t stay for more than a song or two at most. Still, pay attention to what you’re playing when people arrive in case they stay for a while, to help avoid repeating repertoire. • Circle acts have a distinct
