Hat line question

[Katiedid]

I keep reading tips from others on here that suggest that a good hat line can majorly increase the kind of cash you make. As a musician, I'm wondering how I deliver this a line. Any tips?

[Jim]

There are several articles about hat lines in the library forum down below. Check those out. Once you start to understand the psychology of what the hat line is about, you can certainly adapt a variety style line to music. I'm not saying to just copy a stock line, but there is a common rhythm and 'feel' to almost all hat lines... adapting that to music should not be difficult. Definitely check out the library.

http://www.performers.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35

[Isabella]

A successful hat line includes:

Honesty about your purpose ("This is my real job")
A genuine thank-you to the audience ("Without you, I couldn't do it")
A clear statement of a recommended donation ("Most people give me what they give their pizza guy")
A joke ("And I hope you found me as enjoyable as pizza")

[Rachel Peters]

If you've got walk-by crowds as a musician, consider writing a hat line for people to read as they pass.
Oddly enough, I've learned in pavement art that people stop to read long stories. They like feeling as if they've gotten to know you by reading it. I've seen people walk by look at the art, say it's nice, keep walking, back up to read the story, and then come back to put money in the hat.
For me, the story has most definitely increased my walk-by hat.

[Katiedid]

Thanks Rachel, That was exactly what I was asking.
Sorry if I didn't go into detail. I'm a bagpiper(don't worry, its one of the smaller, less annoying pipes ^_^), and thus cant really stop playing to ask for donations without having to start my pipes back up, which runs me out of air, quickly.
Also, thanks Isabella for the format. I'll get down to writing my own soon.

Thank you all
<3
Katie

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

There is also an opportunity for you to play with the whole bagpipe thing, how they're not for everybody.

If I were playing bagpipes, I'd definitely have one sign I could unfurl with the flick of a wrist reading "Throw in a Fiver and I'll stop right now".

Just a thought. It WILL get a laugh, if not a five.

[Katiedid]

Hehe, amusing. That's exactly where I went with it ^_^.

The sign I made last night says:

This is my real job,
so I appreciate your support.
If you like what you hear,
give a dollar or two.
If you don't like bagpipes,
for $10 I'll stop playing.

Might change that to $5 though, since I'm more likely to elicit a $5 donation from a joke than a $10. Didnt actually think about it working other than to make people giggle.

Thanks!
Katie

[Lee Nelson]

That sounds to me like it might work.
Your hat line is always a work in progress .... experiment.

[Stretch]

Wish I could remember his name, but one of the funniest acts I've ever seen was a fellow playing the bagpipe while riding a uni. One glance and you just started busting a gut. He ended up on Ringling. Don't know if they let him keep his act.

[jeep caillouet]

You can give it to me, or Cleo(my dog),if your in a hurry put it in my bucket,and if you don't have any cash on you today...put it in the mail.