Busker Revenue?

[Steven Ragatz]

I appreciate the notion of talking down the amount one makes with tips, but I also feel that there is something to talking it up as well.

I think that part of the curiosity about money comes from audiences wanting to see you (the performer) succeed both in the show as well as in life. The idea that one can go out into the big world with nothing more than wits and a bag of tricks and beat the system by making a fat bag of money is very romantic and exciting and reassures us that there are still gypsies in the twenty-first century. Seeing the bills overflow the hat adds both a sense of perceived value and keeps the dream of being able to be a self-made person alive.

Having money come in begets more money. Success builds more success. Funny how group psychology works.

Steven Ragatz

[Rex Boyd]

That's very true Steven. Gazzo used to finish his shows by putting his money away and saying "look how much money they gave me. I must be good. Just look at that."

Doing this drew a crowd of curious people who instantly became the beginning of his next show and the non-stop money machine was on his way.


Rex

[Evan Young]

I do the same with my coins (save them, no counting). I use what I need for parking and tolls and pull a few quarters for bottled water/juice, and the rest goes into a bucket and becomes my end of season bonus.

[Steven Ragatz]

I had a boot. Used it to hold the change. Got to go into the bank once a week with the boot. The tellers always remembered me. Lucky me, I have big feet.

Steven Ragatz

[grOmmet]

Insult!!.... or widows' mite??

As regards:

"It doesn't matter, counting those pennies is enough to turn me off busking completely. It's not the effort. It's the insult for what people think the show is worth."

There have been many occasions, where I have noticed [particularly] children, who might have saved their smaller coins specifically FOR being able to give the busker[s] something...

Also seen people empty the contents of their coin wallets, or pockets... large AND small denomination coins....

In the UK we have fairly small coins [worth 20 pence]. 5 of these make a whole Pound.. and they are extremely deceptive.....

Then there is the small "gift"..or the cup of coffee.....

What pisses ME off..... is shirt-buttons, and the like!!

Seeing NOTHING in the hat and not a SINGLE smile would be the only things to make ME consider quitting!!

Have fun out there!!

[zoobie]

I noticed tourists dumping large amounts of coins in my hat leftover from countries they'd just visited...which is why I always left europe thru amsterdam...their banks take them all.

[Minnie Maniac]

My answer is BOTH!

I would like to be paid a retainer just for showing up to cover my expenses (at least) and then get to pass and keep the hat as well. There is a definite technique to making money on the street which has to be learnt and doesn't come easily. You can't just ask performers who have never worked the street to rely on hat money for their work. On the other hand, try getting an experienced street performer to work for a small retainer without the hat money in a good location, on a good day at a good time! They know exactly how much cash is walking away from their show at the end without paying.

It is nice to count a hat and see what people think you are worth and the thrill of a great show (with a great hat) keeps the excitement alive. However, it is also nice to know that your expenses are taken care of and you won't be going home empty handed if it rains all day, or there are no people, or if you are forced to work in a bad location (location for street shows is VERY important - some places work and some don't). If you are only offering performers the chance to keep their hat and are not offering anything extra, they should get a lot of control over when and where they work. If you are hiring people other than circle acts (the loud one with big crowds for about 40min shows), you should pay them a fee plus expenses. If you have a good location, you may attract some circle shows for a retainer.

If you want people to work where you say and when you say, pay them. I wouldn't show up for nothing, as a professional entertainer. Don't forget, you get what you pay for.

Jeez, when I do write something I get carried away....

Toni