What to keep in mind when trying to get money out of your lovely audience at the end of your amazing show! 10 tips and ideas along with some well-used lines that you can adapt.
- Make the audience laugh to break the tension. – The hat lines (comedy pattern) and continuous jokes from the audience while collecting money can be just as entertaining as the show! You will surely need to keep the audience entertained if there is a long queue of them trying to give you money and having to wait to get close to the hat! “If you are providing your bank card, please also enter a note with your PIN number”
- Have a good feeling flowing through the crowd – although you are asking the crowd for money, you shouldn’t feel compelled to do so. “If you enjoyed the show please donate some money, if you didn’t please write your complaint on the back of a £ 20 note”
- Let the audience know that you are only human and that this is the way you live. “Help keep hungry jugglers where they belong – on the streets”
- Mention the hat throughout the show. It should come as no surprise to the audience at the end that they are asked to give money. It also gives you a chance to get them used to the idea! “I know I don’t go into your job at the end of your day and applaud all your efforts and give you money, but this is how I make a living, so please give generously.”
- Build an image at the head of audiences for other forms of entertainment (film, television, magazines, etc.) for which they happily pay regularly. “Is this routine worth a cup of tea? Then we have a deal.”
- Children enjoy giving money (especially their parents, their hard-earned money), parents enjoy seeing children happy, so make children feel important!
- Thank people individually for giving you money. Expect only half (or even less) of the audience to give money. Never leave your hat on the ground, where it can be stolen (take it out last)
- Don’t refer to yourself as a busker, but as a “street entertainer”. It sounds less like you’re asking for money this way, and it also makes you sound a lot more professional.
- Give your volunteer a £ 1 coin. Let the audience know that the person has entertained me a lot and I want to show my appreciation. I hope the audience will do the same when the show ends!
- Finally at the end of the show, tell people that if they can’t give money, then come and say how much you liked the show, and if not, just come and pretend you enjoyed it. Lead people to the hat. You shouldn’t go in any direction except towards me. The exit is here. The more people queue up to give you money (or say thank you), the more people will think of doing the same!