How To Make Money By Performing On The Street

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Performing on the street, or doing street performing, is the equivalent of a low position job in the world of showbiz. Anyone can take to the streets and put on a show, however, if what you offer the audience is a great show, you could join the ranks of famous performers, such as Jimmy Buffett, Bob Hope and the founders of Cirque du Soleil, to name a few. who started expressing their art on the street. Whether you are a musician, a magician, a mime artist, a juggler, a clown or a comedian, you know how to entertain people, you can earn money by performing on the street.

Steps

Step 1. Prepare for an excellent performance

You don't have to be great at what you do in order to perform on the street. To be sure, many would-be beggars (some talented, some not so much) create a small show just to get a few more dime. Performing on the street is a great way to introduce yourself or your band or crew, to practice performances and even just to experience communicating your art in front of other people. If you are serious about reaping the economic benefit though, your demonstration should be finely tuned to the art of street performing, it should be tailored for this environment. There are two basic types of street performance.

• The performances for passers-by are continuous performances. People walk in front of the performers and occasionally one or two stop by or someone just leaves a tip as they pass. Most musical performances are of this type, and although it happens occasionally, hardly any passersby will stop for more than one or, at most, two songs. However, pay attention to what you play when certain people arrive, as they may stop for a while, so you will avoid repeating the repertoire.

  

• Performances with a circular structure have a distinct beginning and end. The person performing will try to have a group of people gather to watch the show. The crowd usually stands in a circle or semicircle. The performance with the ideal circular structure generally lasts for a time interval between 10 and 20 minutes. You can perform the same act several times over the course of an hour, as the crowd will likely be different each time. Some of the passages you will find in the rest of the article are more specific to performances of this genre than to those aimed at passers-by, as the latter are relatively simple: just pick one point and start playing, even if some shows for passers-by transform themselves. in performance with a circular structure.

  

Step 2. Find a place to perform

The ideal spot to represent your show, or to promote it, would be a fairly quiet place with lots of foot traffic. Examples of these places include street corners, squares, open-air shopping malls, agricultural markets, and fairs. You also need to select an environment that suits your performance. If you are a musician, for example, standing in front of a wall can improve your acoustics, while if you belong to an acrobatic troupe, you will probably need a lot of open space. If you are going to perform a representation from the circle structure, make sure there is space in front of you for the crowd to stop.

• Some places are off-limits, so it's a good idea to check local laws first or just ask someone, like a cop or a fair manager. Some jurisdictions prohibit street performances, some require a license or permit, still others may turn a blind eye, and finally, there are some that actually encourage this artistic manifestation. In the United States, local laws against street performances have frequently been declared unconstitutional on the basis of freedom of expression, so most properties can accommodate them without problems. In other countries, however, the rules vary. Unless your area's rules regarding performing street art are very strict, it's generally acceptable to start performing in a public place, as long as you don't obstruct people or otherwise cause discomfort. If they ask you to leave, just do it. On private property, however (including many outdoor markets and fairs), you should always apply for a permit first.

  

• Try to avoid getting too close to other artists. It is a very bad form of direct competition for the purpose of getting more viewers, and in most cases this results in a lower payout for everyone involved. In some highly desirable areas, particularly tourist attractions or trade fairs, it may be impossible to establish a distance with other artists. If there are a lot of passers-by, that doesn't matter that much, provided you don't seriously interfere with another artist's show (for example by making too much noise). In some favorable areas, street performers determine shifts to perform.

  

Step 3. Define your space

When you find a spot that suits you, prepare everything you need for your show. You need to have all the equipment at your disposal, so that you can move quickly and effortlessly throughout the show. Consider putting up a sign or, if you really want to do your best, lightly decorate the area around you. In case you are a musician, it is always preferable to stand upright if possible. Whatever you do, don't sit in the middle of the sidewalk, you will look like a beggar, not a professional.

Step 4. Let the crowd gather

All street performers like crowds, but a crowd is absolutely essential for round-shaped performances. Getting people to notice you, and attracting them to you, is an art in its own right. Musicians can do this by starting to create the atmosphere and playing a little to warm it up, just tuning the instrument is enough to attract attention and increase curiosity about the performance. Other artists can start with light pre-show entertainment (for example, jugglers can start with just simple ball games). As you continue with the preparation, actively urge passersby. Smile and be pleasant and engaging. Talk to people. You can say everything from the traditional “Stay here for the greatest show on the planet” presentation to “The show will start in a minute. Would you like to stop and participate? . You have to be an active person and a real salesman, so don't be shy. Get the crowd to get close to you. This helps you connect better with people, allows them to hear everything you say, and ensures that the crowd won't get in the way of people passing by.

Step 5. Keep the crowd interested

Make each new segment of your representation more interesting than the previous one. If you are doing tricks of some kind, start with a relatively simple one and work your way up to the more difficult ones until you get to the grand finale. If you play, make sure your songs have rhythm to get the crowd involved (you can try sad or slow songs, but usually it's the upbeat, upbeat ones that allow you to earn tips). Move quickly between tricks or songs, everything should have been prepared in advance to make sure that the waiting time between performances is minimal, and, as you prepare the next piece, you should talk to the audience, preferably making them laugh.

Step 6. Interact with your audience

Some of the most successful street shows consist of one part showing off amazing skills and two, or more, comedy parts. People may have seen it all before, but they will still look at you if you can make them laugh, and the comedy will allow them to stay in a good mood, which is ideal for getting them to tip! You don't have to be funny, however, you can interact with viewers in other ways as well. Talk to them, respond to comments or questions, tell interesting stories or anecdotes about what you are doing.

Step 7. Increase audience participation during your performance

Assistance from spectators always delights the crowds. Ask if there are any volunteers and have them approach you to help you with a couple of tricks. It is acceptable, some would say that it is normal, to playfully embarrass the volunteer, because people like to see others in a slightly uncomfortable situation, provided their feelings are not hurt and it is all done as a joke. Children especially like to volunteer, and their tenderness will be pure gold for you.

Step 8. Collect tips

For performances that are performed as people pass by, a tip jar or an open case of an instrument is usually left to be placed in front of the artist. It can help to have an interesting or original tip jar; hats are still fine, but baskets, jars or unusual containers can be more inviting, especially for children! The performances with a circular structure, on the other hand, can last up to 20 minutes, or more time, and usually tips are collected only at the end of the first performance, so it is important to be assertive and creative in order to be adequately rewarded.

• Pass your hat through the spectators before the grand finale. A hat allows you to ask people to tip you. Ask for their input before you finish as people will want to stick around to see the most exciting part of the show. If you ask for a tip after the show ends, people will start leaving. There are a lot of good jokes to say when you pass the hat, but in general you want to tell people that your income is based on their tips and that you want to know what your performance is worth to them. People may have no idea how much money to leave, so you might want to suggest it. Consider asking to be left with five or 10 euro bills; you can illustrate the value of your show by comparing it to the price of a magazine, sandwich or movie. Once you've presented your hat and recited your line to get tips, make sure the grand finale is absolutely unmissable.

  

• Pass the hat through the audience. Well, it doesn't have to be a hat, and you don't have to pass it through, but you do have to have an item to collect tips from. Thank the audience after the grand finale and immediately put your hat in front of people to get them to contribute. Hold it in your hand and let people put money in it. Be friendly, joke with viewers using a few extra short lines for this moment ("Please be generous. I might be around robbing people's homes … like yours for example" is a classic). If you have an assistant, this person can start passing the hat between people towards the end of the final part of the show. A handsome assistant who smiles and looks the spectators in the eyes saying phrases like "Could you kindly make a small contribution for the artist?" can easily double your tips.

Step 9. Sell your merchandising products

You can add a second revenue stream by offering products for sale at your performance. If you are a musician, propose CDs or t-shirts. Other artists can also sell t-shirts or other types of souvenirs. Display your promotional items prominently and clearly indicate the price.

Step 10. Keep track of your results

If you plan on performing on the street often, keep a journal regarding the different places, days and times you tried to do your performance and how much money you made. A show generally won't give you a lot of clues as to the strategic nature of a particular point, but over time you can figure out which are the best places, days and times. Essentially, you are running a business, and the better you can keep records of your performances, the better you can maximize your profits.

Step 11. Learn from your experiences

If a trick or a joke doesn't get a warm welcome, you might want to change this part or get rid of it. If certain songs tend to make you more money than others, play them, and add more of the same type. Pay attention to your audience and try to make sure they are always entertained. If this doesn't happen, you have to change something.

Advice

• Before you begin, put some coins and bills in your hat, case or jar you use to collect money. Once the audience sees them, they will be encouraged to add more.
• If you are a musician, play songs from historical periods related to the ages of your audience, so you will keep them interested. A 60-year-old man or woman will probably not be familiar with your cover of a Taylor Swift song. Also, viewers will tip more or be more likely to tip, as long as you play songs they like.
• Performing with a musical instrument like a guitar or accordion leaves your feet free, so you could always use them to bring the beat. It is quite common for a folk or blues musician to use a small drum or tambourine operated with a pedal to energize their sound, but first you will need to learn how to use your feet as skillfully as you use your hands.
• It is always polite to ask permission to perform at the shops near which you represent your performance. Do it because, that way, they won't have a good reason if they want to complain after they say yes.

Warnings

• Always beware of thieves. Never leave tips, props or a tool unattended for even a moment, and try to carefully check the people between whom you pass the hat.
• You know the law! Street performers must have legal permits in some municipalities and, without a license, could be prosecuted by law and considered beggars.
• In some places it is illegal to perform, even if you have a permit. Certain sidewalks, for example, are actually privately owned, and you can be arrested for trespassing and / or disturbing the quiet.
• Don't perform right near a place where a lot of people live. They may hate you for it.
• Beggars are known to congregate around street performers and try to "absorb" their talent. As if this were not enough, some of them bother the person performing or passersby trying to extort the money that would go to the person doing the performance. Handle this situation based on what you think is appropriate, but, in general, avoid confrontation, especially with beggars or drunken groups of people.