Music Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

14 Ways Musicians Can Increase Their Tips


I was listening to NPR the other day when they did a report on tipping in the restaurant industry. One they had a list of tips on how wait staff can increase their tips.

That got me brainstorming and surfing the net for other ideas to boost tips. That combined with lots of performances at Renaissance Festivals helped me to develop my own list of ways musicians can improve their tips.

1. Introduce yourself by name

Too often musicians forget to introduce themselves on stage. Make sure you tell the audience your band name, but to really boost your tips, you should also introduce yourselves individually. Let people know who you are as an individual and you'll see greater tips.

2. Go out into the audience with a tip jar

You really can't be passive when it comes to getting tips. You have to walk out into the audience with some visual reference that says "Tip Me!", and they will tip you.

3. Meet your audience at their level

Take the time to talk to your audience members at their level. Holding a discussion from a stage puts a wall between you and them. So instead, go out into the audience and talk to them face to face. Kneel if they're at a table, so you're at eye level. And if you have ayour tip jar with you, you will you will not only gain a fan, but you will also improve your tips.

4. Make your appearance personal

We wear kilts to most of our gigs. A kilt adds a very personal touch It links us to a certain culture and makes people take notice. Course you don't have to go that route, instead find some piece of clothing that reflects your personality and you will boost your tips.

5. Recommend your favorite CD

If you have multiple CDs, your audience will always ask for your favorite. Tell them what it is. If you only have one, you can do the same by recommending other artists that you like. That adds a two-fold advantage of helping your audience find music they like and helping your fellow musicians.

6. Smile

A bright, confident smile will bring fans back again and again with lots o'big tips.

7. Involve your audience in the music with a joke or game

Next time you're up on stage, see what happens when you joke around with the audience. Your personality will glow all the more and so will your tips.

8. Chat with fans by name

Music fans love nothing more than to be recognized by the bands they love. So do your best to remember their names. They will feel that much more attached to your music and feel like your friend. And these friends will tip you better for the courtesy.

9. Touch your audience

When you're out socializing with your audience, touch them (in a non-sexual way). Whether you shake their hand, pat them on the shoulder or back, or just brush against them, wait staff find that that even that will boost their tips 50%. And it will yours too.

10. Use tip jars with the VISA/Mastercard Logo

According to studies done in restaurants, just seeing those logos is enough to encourage customers to tip more. I know it sounds crazy, but give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

11. Give your audience something in return for their tip

People love feeling like they're getting their money's worth. And many people don't realize you should tip bands. So give something in return. It could be something as big as a sticker or magnet, or as simple as a business card that might include a $1 off your CDs. Or hey what about feeding their sweet tooth with a piece of candy. Whatever the case, that little gift will mean big tipping results.

12. Draw a picture

On a similar note, if you give them a business card, draw or make a comment on it. That piece will be more valuable to them and will result in bigger tips.

13. Make tipping a part of the show

Why wait until the end of the set to ask for tips. Sing a song about tipping, or get your audience involved in the tipping process by shouting something. Or offer a prize to the first tipper. But integrate it into your show and it won't seem like you're just begging for money, rather you're making it fun to tip.

14. Thank your audience

No gig would be complete without an audience. So thank them for taking the time to watch you perform. They will feel the personal touch and respond when you ask for money.

15. Bonus Tipping Suggestion:

If the change is five dollars, never return a five-dollar bill. Always give back five ones. This allows the customer to tip you with some of the dollar bills you returned. You will rarely get a $5 tip and returning a $5 bill will turn off tippers. In general, it's good to return all ones if the change is less than $8. You want the customer to have at least two ones so they can give it back as the tip.

Bard Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards has helped 1000's of musicians make money with their musical groups through the Bards Crier Music Marketing and Promotion Ezine and the Texas Musicians' Texas Music Biz Tips. Now you can get personal advice by visiting http://www.bardscrier.com for FREE "how-to" music marketing assistance.

No time to visit the site? Subscribe to the BardsCrier.com distributed weekly for Free. Just email subscribe@bardscrier.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Joy Online

New York Music Examiner
Examiner.com - 3 hours ago
... Polow Da Don, Rodney Jerkins, DJ Montay, Ne-Yo, Espen Lind, Amund Bjorklund, Kanye West, T-Pain, and Universal Music Publishing Group.
Michael Jackson snubs family reunion Times of India
Jacksons reunite at BMI Urban Awards The Associated Press
BMI Honors The Jacksons, T-Pain and Many More at Urban Awards in ... MarketWatch
eFluxMedia - Urban Network
all 243 news articles


Mobtown Modern's goal is to make new music less scary and more fun
Baltimore Sun, United States - 1 hour ago
"I looked at the music scene and the composers I wasn't seeing on programs, all the music not being performed that should be heard here," says saxophonist ...


Dallas Symphony Orchestra's new music director takes the stage ...
Dallas Morning News, TX - 7 hours ago
By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News Jaap van Zweden conducts his first local concerts as music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra: a ...
Impressed with its vision for future, Doug Adams returns to Dallas ... Dallas Morning News
all 8 news articles


Classical music preview: Big names take the baton
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 6 hours ago
Pioneer, mystic, devout Roman Catholic, birdsong collector, organist, teacher, composer and technical explorer, Messiaen has in music and example influenced ...
Bernard Haitink garners appreciation from Chicago Symphony ... Chicago Tribune
all 2 news articles


8 classical music events from Bernstein to Galway
Newsday, NY - 8 hours ago
14 appearance of the Philharmonic at Carnegie under music director- designate Alan Gilbert. There will be films, lectures, panel discussions - exhausting, ...
LI says 'I do' to 'Wedding Singer' and 8 other shows Newsday
all 2 news articles


CLASSICAL MUSIC + DANCE FALL CALENDAR
Kansas City Star, MO - 12 hours ago
(913-469-8500, Ext. 3605) BRENTANO STRING QUARTET: Friends of Chamber Music. 8 pm Oct. 3. Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th. www.chambermusic.org (816-561-9999) ...


MUSIC FALL CALENDAR
Kansas City Star, MO - 12 hours ago
MOTORHEAD WITH THE MISFITS, AIRBOURNE, VALIANT THOR AND YEAR LONG DISASTER: 7 pm Sept. 7. Harrah’s Casino, VooDoo Lounge, One Riverboat Drive, North Kansas ...


ABC News

Britney to open MTV awards ceremony
The Press Association - 1 hour ago
All eyes will be on Britney Spears as she opens MTV's Video Music Awards ceremony in the early hours of Monday despite a disastrous comeback at last year's ...
Kanye West to Close Video Music Awards New York Times
Brand vows to 'pinch' Britney at VMAs Times of India
Kim Stolz’s VMA Red-Carpet Preshow Preview MTV.com
Toronto Star - Telegraph.co.uk
all 1,330 news articles


Gigwise

Musical taste linked to personality
The Press Association - 1 hour ago
Heavy metal fans are gentle, indie music listeners lack self-esteem and lovers of pop music are uncreative, according to research. ...
Classical to Rap: Music lovers have much more in common than you ... Independent
Research shows music taste defines your personality 3 News NZ
Music tastes link to personality BBC News
Dispatch Online - CBC.ca
all 77 news articles


Music’s breaking out all over
Arkansas Online (subscription), AR - 5 hours ago
Our selected list of highdes a number of shows in Fayetteville, which seems ewed energy on the music front. North Little lltel Arena will still be a big ...

Music - Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006