Not all musicians earn 100% of their money playing gigs or working in the studio. Sometimes, the sheer flexibility of being able to grab your instrument and hit the streets means that busking is a convenient way to earn some extra cash. In this blog, we’ll provide our top tips for busking and let you know how much you could make…
Whether you are looking to work your way up to performing live and booking gigs or just looking to earn a little extra cash in your spare time between professional engagements, busking can be incredibly useful to both professional and semi-pro musicians.
It is not entirely unheard of for buskers to meet music industry contacts like promoters or A&R reps, and some famous musicians got even got their start during street performances.
Advantages to busking
There are some significant advantages to busking.
It’s cheap to do
You can perform regularly in front of new crowds
It can prove quite lucrative
You can trial new material
Relatively low pressure
It can help you build confidence
Obviously, no situation is perfect, and you may well also face adverse factors like bad weather, no guaranteed pay and (occasionally) less-than-helpful interactions with the public.
How much can you earn busking?
The three most significant factors that can affect your earnings when busking (outside of your choice of material!) are geography, timing, and weather.
Making sure that each of these factors is working in your favour is the easiest way to maximise your income.
Picking a busy spot when you’re likely to get maximum foot traffic and clear weather conditions will help your chances of earning more when busking.
Potential earnings in a strong area: £8 – £15 per hour
Obviously, there is no guarantee of big money when busking. Still, it is not unheard of for musicians to earn anywhere up to around £15 an hour if under the right conditions.
During special events, it is also possible to pick up particularly generous one-off tips from any passers-by that can be anything from £5 to £100!
There are certain areas where you might be able to be paid for busking.
For instance, shopping centres sometimes install pianos and book buskers to perform during busy periods, usually offering them some money to get the ball rolling, as well as allowing them to collect from customers. You may also receive food and drink from local businesses.
For obvious reasons, carol singers, choirs, and brass bands are always in demand over Christmas for busking slots.
Busking Q&A: Simeon Hammond Dallas
Location: London
For more information: Website / Instagram / Facebook
1. When and why did you start busking?
I live right next to the Regents Canal in Camden Town, and so when I was about 16 I started to pop down under the bridge and sing and play on a Saturday afternoon
2. How lucrative have you found busking to be?
Some days are better than others and since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve not been busking much, but you can definitely make half a living from it! As well as the big tippers it’s also lucrative in the way of meeting so many people who have seen me busking and booked me for weddings or corporate gigs and other functions
3. Do you have any advice for anyone looking to start busking?
Check out the busking regulations in your area so you don’t get moved on, and make friends with market traders/shop assistants/other buskers. It makes the whole experience less daunting and more enjoyable when you feel like people want you there.
How to make money busking
Like anything, busking will be at its most successful with a little preparation. If you want to maximise the amount of money you make, you might want to consider the following:
Be able to take requests
If you’re looking to pick up some extra cash while busking, then having the ability to take a few popular requests can inspire passers-by to be extra generous. Make sure you have a varied and diverse repertoire of popular hits. Check out this compilation of songs from 2500 setlists for inspiration.
Have a flexible payment method
While cash is still king amongst the busking community, more and more members of the public are opting to carry only payment cards.
As such, it might be worth investing in an alternative way to pay, such as a cheap card reader pre-programmed with an appropriate amount (potentially the price of a cup of coffee?).
Get a license (if you need one)
As part of your preparation, you should check out local bylaws for the authority where you are planning to perform and obtain (and display) a license if required.
Dress appropriately
While it will depend a little on the type of act you are, potentially having a costume or set of clothes that distinguish you from the crowd can help you stand out and earn more money when busking.
Obviously, this won’t be appropriate for everyone, but some classical musicians have found that dressing in the black-tie attire they would usually reserve for orchestral performances can help them stand out when busking, for instance.
Sell CDs and other merch
If you have any CDs recorded, or any merch like T-shirts and caps, then busking can be a valuable opportunity to sell them.
Make sure you have enough stock with you, but not so much that it becomes a liability.
A small display that is set out in an attractive manner can help you boost your potential earnings.
Have a friend with you
Recruiting a friend to collect the money for you while you perform can help you increase your revenue.
If you can find a suitably charismatic individual, they can talk you up, distribute business cards and even sell CDs and other merchandise – all while you are performing.
Having a friend to help you can help increase the amount of money you can earn by busking, as well as being good for your safety and security – especially if you are performing at night.
Prepare something to say at the end of your set
If you manage to draw quite a crowd, then it may be worth preparing something to say about people contributing money at the end of your performance.
Street performers who focus on circus tricks and magic are often highly effective at this – it may be worth trying to take a page out of their playbook.
Busking Q&A: Frank Neil
Location: Chester
For more information: Website
1. When and why did you start busking?
I started busking around 2012 to advertise our band when we performed locally in Chester.
2. How lucrative have you found busking to be?
It varies from day to day and season to season. Some buskers are dedicated to making a living out of it, and some do very well, but speaking personally I find it an unreliable form of income, so I mainly do it for the experience of leaning to play better and meeting interesting people. It’s not a bad day out in the fresh air if you think of it that way.
3. Do you have any advice for anyone looking to start busking?
In Chester, you don’t need a licence, just keep your music to a comfortable sound level because, if you’re too loud, you’ll be asked by some shopkeepers (or even by the Police Community Support Officers) to turn it down. Here’s a link to the busking in Cheshire West & Chester brochure – there’s even a picture of me on harmonica joining another busker that day because all the best spots were taken!
How do you make money from busking? Leave your tips in the comments below.
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