How to Make Money as a Street Performer: Part I – the Busking Basics

The question of how to make money as a street performer is really the wrong question to ask. The question is really more about how to make MORE money as a street performer, busker, or entertainer. Most people very likely already understand how street performers make their money. They receive tips, donations and gratuities from their audience, usually tourists or event crowds. These tips are generally described by buskers as ”Money people give us because they want to, not because they have to.” Simple enough. But not all street performers make the same amount on any given day. What is it that allows some entertainers to earn more money on a daily basis than others? And how can it be reproduced on a reliable basis?

Before the question of making money as a street performer can be directly addressed, it is critical to understand the nature of the craft itself, a fickle and almost indecipherable enigma of an industry that it is. It is almost completely unregulated, other than the fact that the performers are required to obey the law, which is rather relaxed in most cases in the US. Anyone can pick up a guitar and chase people around screaming Van Halen lyrics at them until they give the ”musician” enough money to make them stop. In fact, that would probably be rather effective. But to be effective at making money, the performer or entertainer will have to possess a set of basic skills to ensure profitability. These skills include communication, costuming and some basic talent.

Although talent and costuming are important, without the ability to communicate with the prospective customer, the performer will not earn the first nickel. Communicating clearly the intent to entertain for a fee is the basic key to any entertainer’s repertoire and street performers are no exception. Most performers either use a basic sign of some sort or include the request for a tip in the routine itself. Either way is acceptable, as long as they actually work.

Costuming can be either the least important or most important aspect of the street performer’s act and can make or break an entertainer in terms of credibility. In some cases, for example a hippie guitarist playing Simon and Garfunkel covers, a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt are acceptable and any strange accoutrements would seem out of place or simply unnecessary, more trouble then they are worth. In other cases, a full size mascot costume is required and may even be the entire appeal of the act, no other talent required. Every street performer or busker would likely give a different answer as to which act or costume makes the most money.

Talent. Oddly enough, very often this is the least important skill required for many entertainers. Costumed characters who take photos with tourists certainly require minimal actual ”talent” outside of good people skills and communication. In the case of the folk guitarist, he may be the most talented but lowest paid entertainer or busker on the boulevard. Such is the unpredictable nature of the street performer’s existence.

In the next article, we will examine the vast gulf between ”talent” and ”profit” in the busking world.