It's great being a busker. You just pack your instrument and move to the next big town or city. The more tourists the better. If you don't find much business you can just move again. Sometimes you'll find the perfect place and stay there the whole summer. If you follow these tips, the world is truly your oyster.
Take Note of The Local Busking Laws
It's tempting to view busking as a Robin Hood type work deal. Okay, you won't necessarily be giving to the poor, but you will be making a living outside the normal working parameters. So why should you get permission from the authorities?
Don't you just need to an eye out for them and move on when they arrive? The problem with doing this is that you will be constantly looking over your shoulder. Find out the local busking laws and abide by them.
It may be boring, but in the long run, it allows you to focus on what you should be good at as a busker: making music and connecting with your audience.
Find A Good Spot
Look for a place where lots of people, preferable tourists, pass through, and stay there. If people see you there every day, they're more likely to approach you. That's your chance to network and give them one of your business cards.
Treat It Like A Business
Build a web page and a Facebook page and make up some CDs and business cards. If people like you, you will soon gain a reputation. A good reputation could mean increased business opportunities.
Specialise in Something Different
You could be the latest busker to blast out their own rendition of Knock Knock Knocking On Heaven's Door or you could specialise in something a little closer to your heart. The latter is recommended because first it will make you stand out and second it will give the impression that you know and love what you are doing.
Connect with Your Audience
This can be as little as smiling at people or accepting their requests for songs. Some buskers like to talk in between in between tunes. The more common ground you can find between you and your audience, the more money you can make.
Befriend Other Buskers
Try not to view the other buskers as your competitors. If they are more experienced than you, ask them questions. If they are new to it then perhaps you could be the one to help them out. First it is nice to come in everyday to a job where you are well liked – certainly it puts you in the right mood for entertaining people – second, your audience will trust and like you a lot more if they perceive you to be a kind friendly person.
Follow Up
Don't focus on money. Focus on just giving a good show, the money will come
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