Tips for Solo Acoustic Gigs -How To Get More Tips

Have you wondered how to get more tips at your gigs? Getting more cash tips at your solo acoustic gigs is like getting a pay raise. Musicians have the perfect opportunity to make more money by learning some of these tricks and suggestions to boost your tips at you music gigs.
In this video I will share some do’s and don’ts of using a tip cup effectively. I hope enjoy this video and it helps you make more money via tips at your solo gigs and makes you a more profitable musician. #soloacousticguitar #soloperformance #acousticguitar #acousticcover #acousticcovers

[@Santaheckler]

Here’s something that’s worked well for me over the years. I get smaller, inexpensive 3x3 stickers with my logo on them. I will get them for around 10 cents a piece in large quantities. I have them for free in a box next to my tip jar. I will a few times during the show let people I have free stickers and to help themselves. It gets people up there to grab a sticker or two and they always seem to drop a few bucks in the jar. It’s also a way I can thank people if I need to on my break. Always give them to a kid if you can, they will show their parents and it’ll end up with a $1 tip at minimum. The way I see it, they are getting something to take home or whatever. It’s a great way to promote yourself too. Always cool to see your stickers on the bathroom stall. 🤣👍

[@FrankPersico]

Ooooh I like that one. Thanks for sharing. Great idea

[@LanceEads]

I've done something similar with older CDs of mine. I figure all the people that were going to buy them have already bought them, so I put a little stack next to my tip jar and give them away for free.

[@chrisgoodenough1374]

Sooo, tip bait?👍

[@johngdrakeguitar]

Always show gratitude. Right on.

[@FrankPersico]

At gigs and in life :)

[@humanimal5527]

Excellent knowledge here man. As an aspiring solo musician I appreciate it!

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks. I wish you the best

[@jeffwickermusic134]

My nephew had the best idea for tips that I have ever seen. He took about a quart size opaque plastic bucket, wrote “Tips” on it, and mounted a very low wattage light bulb, in the bottom, so that the whole bucket lights up. It’s not obnoxiously bright, but just bright enough so that people can easily see it. This works very well! 😎👍🎸

[@FrankPersico]

Ooh that sounds cool. 😎

[@becomeaudible1]

I like to put little sayings on my tip can. The can is large enough to put a card on the side so I will put sayings like “ skews me while I tip this guy” Or “I dare you to try and fill it”. It makes people smile and sometimes they will put a bit more in. Works well.

[@FrankPersico]

Oooh I like this one. Thanks for sharing

[@RobinRowley]

Thanks Frank. Great tips for tips brother. Keep on. You are good.

[@FrankPersico]

I appreciate it. Thanks for the comment:)

[@WichitaJackMusic]

Great video! If the venue is indoors, or at an outdoor gig that isn’t too windy, I will leave my guitar case (I play acoustic electric) open on the floor at the front of my setup. It helps to conceal my pedals and cables, and also gives a sort of old school busker vibe. I’ll seed it with two ones and a five, so the people instantly recognize that that is where the tips go. As the night goes on and it fills up, it gives people a great visualization of the fact that others have enjoyed your music enough to leave something, and encourages them to leave something as well. If wind is a factor, I keep a basic, plain jar, set it on the closed guitar case, and again seed it a bit. I never ask, and always thank for everyone who drops anything in. At the end of the day, playing music is about making an emotional connection with the people in the audience, and if you do, they will be eager to leave you something extra for it.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much and I appreciate you sharing your experience as well.

[@stevemcclanahan3845]

All Awesome “Tips!” Thank You Frank

[@FrankPersico]

My pleasure! Have a great day

[@tonymullins8437]

Long time solo, duo and band performer here and just want to compliment you on the video. This is GREAT information for players of all skill levels. Here are a few things that work for me: 1) Set your tip jar slightly away from you or at least away from the lights of the stage. A lot of the people in the crowd just aren't comfortable walking right up to center stage in front of God and everyone to drop a fiver (or wtvr) into your jar. Your idea of placing it closer to the door is a solid suggestion that plays into this idead. 2) Seed money! Put a fiver in there or tape one to the bottom just as a reminder. 3) Tip your waitresses! I always hand over part of my/our tips if someone on the wait staff is helping us. Additionally, it's great etiquette to remind the crowd to take care of the wait staff and the bar keep. I'm not sure if it actually puts any $$$ in my jar, but it's certainly good Karma and endears you to the other folks working the venue. 4) Ask for requests! People will frequently tip you if you play the songs they ask for. Once you get a good stack of napkins (with written requests on them as is common it seems in our business) going, this will often get even more requests sent your way. Like you said, if you don't know 'em, learn 'em and make sure you tell the folks out in the audience as much. If you don't want to play Freebird (who does?), do Simple Man or Give Me Three Steps, just anything else by Skynyrd (just as an example).

[@FrankPersico]

Awesome feedback! I appreciate it and I’m sure the others do as well! Thanks so much

[@chrisgoodenough1374]

I just leave my guitar case open in front of me with a “tips” sign inside the lid. Especially if playing on an elevated stage at an outdoor venue.

[@FrankPersico]

Nice!! Plenty of room:)

[@WEdHarris]

Very Informative! Great tips! Thanks so much!!

[@FrankPersico]

my pleasure. thanks for commenting

[@nomandad2000]

Thanks for the shoutout!

[@FrankPersico]

you got it.. thanks for the great video ideas!..

[@nomandad2000]

@@FrankPersico 💯

[@ttaurus393]

Amazing how much we think alike. Great video sir. Also one thing that has worked wonderfully for me is make sure to say goodbye as the people are heading out. lots of time they aren't thinking about tipping and this gets there attention.

[@FrankPersico]

You must be at it awhile like myself lol

[@FASFatherandSon]

Another great video. I was practicing outside a restaurant waiting for my girlfriend and a guy gave me a $10 tip. I was like okay, maybe I should take a tip cup wherever I go lol.

[@FrankPersico]

Lol carry some cups with you!

[@mister-chad]

@fasfatherandson was jamming with some friends outside of a restaurant waiting for our table... still have those dollars in my guitar case.

[@johnsather3485]

Frank, thanks for this video. For the first year of my acoustic duo act , I felt that a tip cup was kind of a pandering stunt, and thought that what I was getting paid was enough. Like you, I finally came around when people were coming up more and more wanting to leave a tip. The only comment I do have is that I have seen solo acts put a giant 5 gallon bucket with a giant TIPS sign on it, or I saw someone with a very large clear plastic jug with a light placed into the jar along with the TIPS lettering on the side, sitting on a stool as if the tip jar was another performer. I felt they overdid the gesture and made the act of asking for tips larger than the gig. It’s definitely an art form in placing a tip jar to make it easier for tippers who want to tip.

[@FrankPersico]

I went through the same process. And I do agree it’s about giving people the option to tip without pressure. I find it’s a turnoff when an artist is pushy about drawing attention to the tipcup. Thanks for commenting

[@hankjourdan4010]

Been at this for about 5 yrs..all self taught do to watch and listen to someone major help

[@FrankPersico]

That’s impressive. Hopefully my channel can give you some tips and inspiration

[@hankjourdan4010]

@FrankPersico it's the blessing/challenge/love of my life..my daughter sings along at age 10.

[@MrMikeonguitar]

I have a plastic picher for a tip jar. My wife used a Cricut to make the TIPS lettering that she put on it. There is a bar that I play in and I think because of the many people that are seated, not many people see it. So even though crowd response is good, i normally do not get a lot of tips. One day i lined the pitcher with small, cheap battery operated LED's. Seems like it helps!

[@FrankPersico]

Im sure that would help. Also i bet it makes the kids want to leave tips as well..A lot of people just need a "reminder" and a good looking tip cup can do just that:)

[@van1976]

I don't put a tip jar out mainly because I don't need the money, that said I always seem to a have a few bucks in my pocket from tips. I so much didn't want to take that $5 from the elderly lady coming from the Library, but she insisted (it was the Classical Music I was playing)--I accept as it makes a "connection". I know what you're saying about the awkwardness of people wanting to tip and you have to STOP playing to take a couple bucks. I have done this in the past, attached by rubberband, a plastic jar to the Headstock of my guitar. Great if you are walking around and not in one spot. I also have a plastic bust of Mozart attached to the jar as well--lol. "Fur Elise" is always a hit....or for the young folks, Golden Earrings "Twilight Zone"...that is a "Rocker" that amazes teenagers! Good info... 5 STARS! --Van

[@FrankPersico]

You had me at “a plastic bust of Mozart” lol brilliant

[@paul144]

Hey Frank! Love your channel! Long time no see...hope you've been well! Paul Livoti

[@FrankPersico]

Hey brotha. Great to hear from you!! Are you back in NY for summer?

[@paul144]

@@FrankPersico was just up there for a week, my grandsons first birthday. Been super busy down here in Vero Beach so I really dont work much when I come up to NY, just visit the kids & family.

[@tlsallada1]

I use a goldfish bowl and glued a dollar bill on the inside. It really seemed to help plant the seed to give a tip.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for the “tip” pun intended lol

[@adamrafferty]

Hey Frank!!! Adam Rafferty here - hope you are rockin it!!!!

[@FrankPersico]

Hey brotha. Been a pretty good summer and fall. I’m feeling blessed. Hope you are well!!

[@Popsarocker1]

If you’ve ever been to Nashville, the tip bucket seems to be part of the culture there. However, it gets obnoxious and uncomfortable when they come around literally every other song with the bucket

[@FrankPersico]

Yes Nashville tip culture is a diff thing from places like NY

[@richardfranklinmorse]

When I played Irish Pubs in Europe you had to go through the audience on your break soliciting tips. It was awful, but lucrative.

[@ronkeely909]

I worked at a bar that didn't allow me to put out a tip jar. They said it takes away from the waitstaff.

[@FrankPersico]

Ughh. I really do hate hearing stories about like this. It just shows how people really devalue musicians. Also shows how little people know about tipping. If people want to tip then they will tip you AND the waitstaff. I used to have a regular gig at a casino here in NYC that ended with Covid. Their rule was no tip cup. And on some level I agreed because the presentation of it didn’t look great. BUT they used to instruct me not to accept tips even if someone offered me one. Like I would literally have to stop playing to tell customers that I was NOT allowed to accept their tip. This actually would offend the customer. Some old lady would be smiling and digging around in her purse to give me a dollar and I had to go and tell her I can’t accept it. Imagine that. Just a sign of how out of touch a place can be with the reality of what this job is about.

[@LanceEads]

I thought I'd be clever by decorating my tip jar with the word "bread" written in bubble letters. Turns out, people under a certain age don't always know that bread is slang for dough - er - I mean, money.

[@FrankPersico]

lol they must have been scratching their heads!

[@oldiesmike]

I have never agreed with people putting tip jars out. You are already getting paid for the gig. Shame on you.

[@FrankPersico]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Many musicians who play for a living may disagree with you. Also in the days before I put a tip up out I used think the same as you. But time after time people would approach me and be looking for a place to put a tip. It was always awkward because I would be playing and singing and couldn’t tell them to just leave the tip anywhere. This may surprise you to know but people like to tip musicians when they enjoy it. It makes THEM feel good. The tip cup doesn’t pressure anyone. If you don’t want to tip you don’t have to. Perhaps you have never found yourself in any of the above situations at your live gigs .. but another perspective for you to consider. Thanks for your comment. I love to hear from fellow musicians.

[@animalmansurvivor1452]

No, shame on YOU.

[@danntheband2877]

I agree with Frank’s response completely. Some people do enjoy tipping. Perhaps just have a tip jar available and don’t beg or try to shame the crowd into tipping. I have had multiple people ask for my Venmo QR code so they could tip electronically, so I set one up. Also, pay expectations vary per venue/management. Performance fees are sometimes like how wait staff get paid; a minimal base and expectation of bringing in a certain amount of tips. Like it or hate it, that’s the way it has been in the US for a while. Musicians gotta eat like everybody else. Lastly, I have heard many people seeking out live music and wondering why so many places don’t have it any more. Two things: Limited venue budgets for live music, resulting in no live music, and the low fees for places that still do. Tips are important to help sustain live acts.

[@FrankPersico]

@@danntheband2877 thanks for the comment. I think it’s easy for people who aren’t actively out there surviving on playing to get bent out of shape from lack of perspective of what it means to do this for a living. It’s always interesting to have someone shame you for trying to eat lol. But you have to take the comment from where its coming from. That being said i respect all peoples opinions (even if i disagree) and I appreciate you coming forward with your perspective. We are on the same page.

[@henrytaylor6097]

You probably don’t tip your waitress either.

[@BenScales]

This is an awesome video full of useful information. Tips are an essential part of my income, especially now that CD sales have disappeared from the equation. I understand where you’re coming from when you call out performers “shamelessly” begging for tips. It can be a real turn-off. I have a slightly different take on it. Personally, I use humor to “shamelessly beg” while directing the audience’s attention to my tip box with its QR codes for Venmo and PayPal prominently displayed. I’m also not above selling requests. 20 bucks will get you most any song I know, and several that I don’t but can pull up on my iPad. Sometimes I’ll run a “special” on songs like Hotel California or Southern Cross, if more than one table or group of patrons wants to hear it. Margaritaville, Wagon Wheel or Rocky Top will cost you $50 minimum, though I do have a parody version of Free Bird that always gets a laugh. A couple of weeks ago, a guy gave me $100 to play Country Roads twice, and I did it, with several comedic breaks and improvised lyrics on the second time through. Bottom line is I try to have fun with my tip soliciting so as to put the audience at ease while making sure they know I need their money. Of course, it depends on the gig, but I’m a firm believer in the maxim that (s)he who pays the fiddler calls the tune.

[@FrankPersico]

I love this. Thanks for sharing. It just goes to show how there are infinite ways to work your craft with a crowd. And at the end of the day it sounds like you are making it a positive experience for everyone: that’s what we should be doing after all.