Balloon Chat

Uncategorized Boards => Marketing........plus Advertising Work => Topic started by: Danny the Idiot on April 16, 2008, 02:48:26 PM

Title: Busking
Post by: Danny the Idiot on April 16, 2008, 02:48:26 PM
Hi everyone. Not sure where to post this so I'm putting it in Marketing as it was mentioned!

I'd like to start busking balloon sculpting, and have never done this before.

My reasons are two fold - get some money coming in when its quiet,
and (the main one) - to try out new models, & banter with an audience.

Has anyone any tips, ideas or suggestions?

cheers
Danny
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: cashmagic on April 16, 2008, 07:06:39 PM
Hi Danny

I will not call you a idiot as if you are wanting to go busking you are not a idiot

I go busking all the time best thing you can do get papers to see if theres any thing happing around like open days or shows get you stuff and get down there,I have a open hat and allways put 2 or 3 pound in first.

Tip 1= Don"t stop making stuff even if no one is around this will help you when you are flat out and show people what you can do.

Tip 2= If no one is bitting give some away kids aways want what others have

Tip 3= Tell people what you are doing and why like "Some one booked me but are ill today so i had all my balloons out so I didn't want to waste them"

Tip 4= Ask where they are from if near you give them a card

Tip 5= Have fun even if no one else is

I hope you do it and have a good time theres good money out there i get around 5 to 20 pound a hour

One last thing I got my biggest gig from busking 27 gigs from one bloke you never know who is passing you
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Professor T Wist on April 16, 2008, 07:50:46 PM
I have been thinking of doing some busking. Can you just pitch up anywhere or do you need a permit or something like that? does anybody know ?
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Graham Lee on April 16, 2008, 08:35:14 PM
Different towns have different rules, in some you need a peddlers licence.
The best thing is just find somewhere busy & start, just plead ignorant if someone tries to move you on.
I do know a good solicitor if things don't quite work out for you :lol:
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Billy Wiz on April 16, 2008, 08:49:37 PM
Hi guys, please don't take my comments the wrong way, but I wouldn't feel comfortable busking. I would feel as if I was desperate and begging.

I know it can get extra work in, and to be honest, I wish I could pluck up the courage to do it as well. Do you ever get these feelings when you're busking? I have done it before, kind off, I was busking for tips last year to raise money for my 'Make A Smile Appeal'. The graden centre I do a lot of work for kindly let me do it there. They get lots of kids in as they also have a huge in store pet shop. It certainly worked, I had banners beside me advertising what the tips were for, raised nearly £400 in 5 days, but felt really uncomfortable the whole time. They asked if I wanted to do it again this year but I said I was too busy.

I'm one of the busiest in my area (I don't mean these comments to sound big headed - sorry) and didn't want people to think I was desperate for the work that I had to go busking. But in reality, I really would like to do it, but as I said, I can't get these 'begging' thoughts out of my head.

Hats off to you guys who are doing well with it. :)

Best wishes,

Graeme (Billy Wiz)
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Graham Lee on April 16, 2008, 09:08:43 PM
Quote from: "Billy Wiz"I wouldn't feel comfortable busking. I would feel as if I was desperate and begging.
But Graeme we are desperate & begging :lol:

Graham Lee
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: cashmagic on April 16, 2008, 10:17:48 PM
You shouldn't think like that you are out there making people smile you are out there doing some thing you love and its not like you are sat on the floor with a sign saying give me money
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Dave on April 27, 2008, 09:33:53 PM
http://www.buskercentral.com/balloons.php (http://www.buskercentral.com/balloons.php)

Busking licences
Busking in itself is not illegal, although many local authorities have passed byelaws prohibiting busking. If you want to busk it is worth contacting your local council to see if any byelaws have been passed with regards to busking. Children under 14 years may not busk.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: PrinCeSs on April 30, 2008, 01:29:42 PM
Quote from: "Graham Lee"
Quote from: "Billy Wiz"I wouldn't feel comfortable busking. I would feel as if I was desperate and begging.
But Graeme we are desperate & begging :lol:

Graham Lee


Agree....i do busking.. initially i had that 'begging' in mind.. but...i think again.. i show my 'talent and skill' on twisting and someone has to contribute something...anyway..when busking.. i dont charge the balloons.. I can't charge..so its up to people who contribute...when they ask..i say.. anything that u think its fair... i think thats fair enough.. so far have not experienced bad things.. hopefully not in the future too... :)
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Chubbz on June 17, 2008, 10:21:12 AM
I am going to go out and try my hand at Busking during the 6 weeks Summer holidays when all the kids are off school, (Might test the water first, by doing a Saturday/Sunday leading up to it)
My question is this,and it may seem trival, but what to wear when Busking?, bearing in mind it will be Summer, I was thinking just smart but casual jeans, and a T-Shirt, (I do have one with "Chubbz" airsprayed on the back) but I said to my partner about wearing a large "Rabbit type Top hat" (Thanks to David Ginn) to attract attention, but she said I will just lok stupid,(Or words to that effect) maybe wear one of my own balloon hats?
Also should I just keep the models quick & simple, (Dog,sword,flower etc) or make the more fancy stuff?
Any help greatly appreciated...  :geek:
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Graham Lee on June 17, 2008, 10:40:18 AM
How about wearing a balloon top hat with a rabbit sticking out the top, it will definately get attention :D
As to what to make generally I keep to the easy things when busking as they will probably only put a £1 in your hat, so just make things from one or two balloons.

Graham Lee
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Krazy Kev on June 17, 2008, 11:26:27 AM
I remember a long time ago busking in a local Asda for charity and the tight sods were trying to get away donating 10p and 20p! Must have been the poor balloon standard! :oops:
Kev
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Chubbz on June 17, 2008, 12:13:11 PM
Apparently you are not allowed to quote a price when busking, but if anybody asked me how much? I will tell them a £1...( Just watch out for PC Plonker.. :? )
Thanks for the advice guys..
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: cashmagic on June 17, 2008, 09:54:39 PM
If you have a crowd keep stuff fast and easy but you will get some slak times then do the better stuff allways make a hat no one wants to be the one one with a hat and what to wear is up to you go clean and smart but not to smart you do want there money
Title: Busking : Some Thoughts.....
Post by: grOmmet on June 28, 2008, 01:41:32 AM


It's interesting to see what some other Balloon Chat contributors have had to say about busking. I'd like to add the following:

Busking is simply NOT for everyone. It certainly does NOT imply desperation. Neither is it degrading.

I wouldn't be in business... and my life would be the poorer for it in SO many ways.. if I had never gone out and busked to begin with!

One of the aspects of BALLOON busking is that, unlike a musician or juggler, there is a 3-dimensional tangible "thing" produced as a result of the performance. [I use the word "performance" DELIBERATELY.. since there are plenty of tinsel be-wigged spivs out there who try to  grab a fast buck by producing poorly constructed, indeterminate "things" made from balloons and expecting a couple of quid for each of these apologetic offerings!!]

I always display a sign which CLEARLY states that I am "Busking Here Today" .. with the advice.. " Take what you like and leave what you can! "
To be honest, I'll happily accept a smile as payment-in-full ANYDAY!!

Over the years, busking has served as a great test bed for new ideas, designs and patter. It's a way of showcasing my skills to whoever happens to stand and watch for a few minutes... [ and you NEVER know who.. or what.. those people might be.. or what opportunity awaits you next!..]

A Police sergeant once asked me if I was selling balloons. I told her that I was merely GIVING AWAY LOVE, SMILES AND SUNSHINE ON A NON-CONTRACTUAL BASIS and accepting voluntary "Appreciations".
To begin with, she didn't get it... until I explained that the balloon was merely a vehicle to enable me to better deliver the L,S&S which people were "appreciating" generously.
With singers, you can't grab the notes in the breaths that have been sung and put them in your pocket....Whenever you see a juggler or unicyclist, you cannot hold the air in the space which has so cleverly been used.... BUT.... Folk CAN take their balloon creation with them as a physical reminder of their fun encounter with the Balloon Wyzzyrd. After all.. it was made especially FOR them!!

[By now, you'll realise that I have a PASSION for our art and a VERY soft spot for the honourable act of busking].

In the early days, back in the early 1990's, I used street performance as a tool to assess the potential for my particular way of delivering incidental encounters based around the medium of Latex Twiddlology , banter, sheer doggerel and general silliness.
 
Out there I had to think quickly and intuitively, without a script. I had to learn to work deftly and maintain eye contact. I sharpened my Wit and honed the skills which would later feed me and my family and enable me to step out of the Rat Race.. I have been instrumental in helping friends enter the world of self-employed performance, too...
I'm saying it worked for ME and I haven't looked back!

To TRULY busk, a person must be out there, baring their soul to the folk who pass by. My own belief is that this MUST be as Heart-felt as any singer or musician...
If balloon busking is undertaken with flair and panache, IT CAN NOT LOOK AS SAD AS THOSE POOR DELUDED SODS TRYING TO DUPE THE PUBLIC INTO BELIEVING THEY ARE BALLOON MODELERS END UP MAKING IT APPEAR!!!

In those early days, I simply put down my old top hat and accepted "appreciations" as a busker. ["Donations" are for charities and the down-at-heel , whereas "Appreciations" are the physical manifestations offered in appreciation of a level of SKILL and INTEGRITY...] Initially it took a while for people to realise that I was not merely "selling" balloon creations, as so many fly-by-night charlatans tend to do.

Each encounter gave locals and tourists, alike, the opportunity to take a card or flier with them. Even now, I instinctively ask people where they are from.. and find myself calculating whether this is in my "travel from home" range!!

Regardless of the eventual sum which had accumulated in the hat at the end of the day.. I had achieved the goal of spreading the word [ and at no cost, apart from my time! ].

Steadily, the 'phone began to ring, and the e'mail Inbox started to receive enquiries.
As my reputation grew, the idea of the Balloon Platoon was conceived.
Friends asked me "how do you do that?".. and we began to extend the circle.

I was able to take an increasing number of paid engagements as the Balloon Wyzzyrd, whilst the "pitch" was attended by Balloon Platoon members who had satisfied me they had made the grade. They donned their distinctive turquoise shirts with some pride!! Needless-to-say, they continued to make the fliers available.. and the snowball gathered momentum for all of us!

Sadly, now, I find myself unable to make many visits to some of my old busking haunts up and down the country, due to the frequency of bookings, though I LOVE to hit a street whenever the opportunity arises.
It makes me feel ALIVE!!

Street Performance has a powerful immediacy and truly incredible Honesty.
I have met some wonderful people, [performers and public alike].
Some amazing leads from busking have gone on to kick start whole chains of related bookings stretching across YEARS!!

Where busking is concerned, if a performer is good, the public will encourage them back to busk again...

I always urge people to take a good look at a performer's face, whilst they are doing their stuff. It takes GUTS to stand out there and bare your soul. If a performer's smile touches others.. then you know you are in the presence of something / someone special.

I know there are several PROFESSIONAL and indeed FAMOUS musicians, circus performers, and balloon artists who delight in unscheduled pay-as-you-go-by street work.

If they have a hat/case down, then it's probable that no-one is paying them to be there, SO BE SURE TO DIG INTO YOUR POCKETS AND "APPRECIATE" THEM!!!

Thanks for reading this far [steps down off soapbox and goes for a quiet lie-down]
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Smiggle on June 28, 2008, 08:52:57 AM
So I take it you FOR busking then Grommet ?  :D  :D
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: grOmmet on June 28, 2008, 12:42:20 PM
Like I said.. it isn't for everyone. Thanks for reading my first "proper" posting... Sorry about the length of it. I really didn't have time to write a shorter one!! ;)  g:o)~
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: fairby on July 03, 2008, 01:15:19 PM
Quote from: "Krazy Kev"I remember a long time ago busking in a local Asda for charity and the tight sods were trying to get away donating 10p and 20p! Must have been the poor balloon standard! :oops:
Kev

Have they not heard of Inflation !!!!  8-)  :roll:
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: gabegml on November 06, 2008, 04:38:39 PM
don't think of it as begging, think of it as doing what you like in public and entertaining others while you're at it.

i get very cheesed off by this attitude and i think that it's time to educate others about this. we need to change this way of thinking and the best way to go about it is with ourselves.

we should go about doing it in a professional way, so that everyone else will get a different impression. as the impression we make, will cause others to see us in a different light bringing with it a change of attitude from others.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: mrmagic4 on November 26, 2008, 05:07:36 PM
I am planning on moving down south and busking with balloons and performing magic and fire eating on the street.  I am from America and have been looking at the laws on doing this.  It seems in America you do not need a license to perform or sell art on the streets, it even lists sculptures under art.  A balloon animal is a sculpture, even though it may be a different medium than we are used to seeing sculptures.  Making balloon animals is also an art and a performance.  Bearing this in mind, as long as I am interpreting the law correctly you can legally put a price per balloon on your creations.  

Now as far as it being a lowly form of balloon twisting and only for desperate people I don't think that is the case.  I know whenever I am on vacation or at a festival I always look for the street performers.  I find street performers incredibly entertaining and I always tip when I can.  The way I look at it is where else can you get live entertainment so cheaply, and at the same time be so close to the performer.  When it comes to balloon artists you even get a work of art made just for you.  I look at balloon art as a real art.  Imagine if you were a painter instead of a twister.  Do you know any other kind of artist that will give away art custom made for you for a dollar or so?

Lastly, I have found a lot of people don't tip not because they are cheap, but because they don't know any bettor or forget to.  Many times working at fairs the parents give the kids the money to give to me.  They stand patiently waiting for the balloon and then run off with the money as soon as they get their balloon.  In a few seconds their parents send them back with the money to give to me.  This is a great example of knowing your supposed to tip but forgetting or still having to have someone remind you.  Balloons bring out the kids and innocence of all of us, even the adults.  So have a sign or a pin reminding them to tip.  This way you don't have to ask for donations if you feel uncomfortable with that, but the people are still reminded to do so.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Bad to the Balloon on November 28, 2008, 07:20:52 PM
You need to approach busking with the attitude of gratitude.

Use the same thank you for a 5 year old giving a coin as you would an adult handing you a fiver. (20's and better get a hearty 10Q)

Idea I have had for years is to make a really good balloon sculpture 10 - 15 minute job..... watch it gather a crowd ..... and then auction it off!!!

Yeah you can make a quick money twisting dogs and swords, but don't it leave you a little hollow inside?
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: mrmagic4 on November 30, 2008, 06:41:06 PM
I make big stuff and little stuff and I currently only ask a dollar per balloon.  I love making the big stuff, its fun for me.  The only problem is if you get a big line and your making fancy stuff it can take a while to get through the people.  Also once you have made the fancy stuff you cant really tell someone no.  Most of the time when I make a fancy one people tip extra for the work also.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Professor T Wist on November 30, 2008, 06:47:02 PM
Is that a dollar a balloon model or a dollar per balloon used in the model ?
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: mrmagic4 on December 06, 2008, 07:08:55 PM
A dollar regardless of how many balloons I use.  Generally if it is  really fancy I get a tip anyways.  When I go to Florida to do street performing and busking I will charge more for complicated balloons.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Pascal Grooten on December 10, 2008, 09:09:59 AM
I ONLY do busking. I do like the idea to auction more complicated figures. I know colleagues who busk this way. But for me I usually make hats from 3-5 260's, Addi style. It's fast and they are really eyecatchers. In the beginning I made 1 or 2 balloon doggies and swords but after a while you don't feel comfortable anymore doing this in a row. I only use 260's, 160's, 5" rounds, 5" hearts. All the other shapes and inprints are to expensive for busking, especially some from Q.
I know a balloon "artist" who for several years now only makes dogs, giraffes ands swords, nothing else: he don't want to develop his skills, this works fine for him. The strange thing is he almost makes the same money as me doing more attracting figures. Standard price: 1€ per balloon (no, not 1$ or 1£ :lol: )
I'm proud to be a busker: it takes a lot of effort, panache and guts to perform every time on different unknown locations. I'm sure I make the same money (or more) then most balloonartists who are doing parties etc. All respect to you guys!  :P  I'm often asked for parties and stuff but I don't have the talent to entertain a group of people for a couple of hours, I know my limits. Also it's a fact when people ask me to perform on a homeparty they think I work for a nickle and a dime..I suggest them to visit some booking agencies and investigate their prices pro hour. Often, not always, they go in shock  :roll: They also want to book you mostly in the weekends, not possible because I want to busk! That's the downsite of busking: you can do it only in the weekends and during the holiday seasons. My biggest motivation to do this is that you are your own boss, you start and finish whenever you want and don't have to listen to people who hire you and think they own you.
I would like to hear more from you guys, buskers.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: mrmagic4 on December 10, 2008, 04:26:35 PM
Parcival, you answered a question I was wondering myself in one of your posts.  Can you busk during the week?  I expected during the times when children are in school the balloon business would be a bust (excuse the bad pun).  I have some magic acts aimed for adults I am going to try to fill in with at these times.  Things like fire eating, glass eating, a razor blade swallowing and slight of hand act, real don't try this at home kind of stuff.  Is it bad during the evening when children are out of school though?  I'm sure it is somewhat location specific, I'm just curious to hear other people's experiences.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Dave Hendy on December 10, 2008, 09:24:14 PM
Busking appears to be a personal choice, however my son lost his job in the summer. So we decided to go busking. We did 55 minutes and took £39. He did most of the work as I was there for morale support. The lady who laughed most at his jokes was the local police lady, we had no problems at at all. Why such a short time? It lashed with rain.
My thoughts are that it is not a lot if money, but if one did say, 5 hours per day it would be OK. It's great fun(once you start) and a great way of getting experience. (Since that day he has taken on some paid shows)
So if you are thinking about. Stop thinking: and just do it.
On a personal level it was a fantastic experience watching my son, doing what I love to do, and now seeing him developing his own show.
Down side: is that  he keeps pinching my jokes!

http://www.davehendy.co.uk (http://www.davehendy.co.uk)
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Pascal Grooten on December 11, 2008, 08:14:20 AM
Quote from: "mrmagic4"Parcival, you answered a question I was wondering myself in one of your posts.  Can you busk during the week?  I expected during the times when children are in school the balloon business would be a bust (excuse the bad pun).  I have some magic acts aimed for adults I am going to try to fill in with at these times.  Things like fire eating, glass eating, a razor blade swallowing and slight of hand act, real don't try this at home kind of stuff.  Is it bad during the evening when children are out of school though?  I'm sure it is somewhat location specific, I'm just curious to hear other people's experiences.


Nope, no busking during the week, no kids, no tourists..Busking after school is not worthwhile, the kids don't have any money  :o
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: cashmagic on December 11, 2008, 08:50:36 AM
they do if you hold them up by there feet and shake them :twisted:
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Smiggle on December 11, 2008, 09:28:27 AM
I'd have thought Lincoln Christmas Market would be a good busking opportunity for you Craig - or is it tightly controlled?
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: cashmagic on December 11, 2008, 09:58:02 AM
Quote from: "Smiggle"I'd have thought Lincoln Christmas Market would be a good busking opportunity for you Craig - or is it tightly controlled?

It funny alot of people say this but it is very tightly controlled they get some people to do walk around magic balloons and do it for free so if any one saw me they would think it was for free.Not only that I know one of the blokes who is up there and dont want to step on his toes as he is a mate.

But when I do go busking it is up that end of town might get up there this week as theres a fun run on.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: crazybananas on January 20, 2009, 07:28:47 PM
I am in the uk and this lovely lot of posts has inspired me to getonto my local council and check out where I can busk. as a single mum I only have time durng school times but there are always loads of young kids about and parents get a balloon for the bigger ones. i can always give it a try. Also I will have some time at half term with out the kids. I usually wear harlequin trousers and a silly hat when entertaning do y ou all think that would be ok. I can also do a small amount of circus skills but the balloons are my fave and I recently did some for children in need and got £137.50 in  hours.
Thanks for the advice, I will let you know how it goes. Crazy bananas
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Clown4Fun on July 25, 2009, 08:53:07 PM
I am a new "kid on the block" at this forum.  :D  

As far as busking, I did a lot of it in Poland, where I am from. Actually in Poland is a very good, prestigious Street Art Festival called ... BuskerBus. Here is the web site: //http://www.buskerbus.com

It was a fantastic experience for the five years in the row I went there. Actually I did it with face painting, but it still was great. I am plannig to do busking here in UK, as I love interaction with the passers by, plus you never know, but you can get good jobs from it as well..

actually I did get some news coverage in Polish local newspapers and I do keep it with my scrap book. it looks great on line too. //http://www.clown4fun.co.uk
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: crazybananas on July 26, 2009, 10:00:14 AM
I gave busking a go and it was great, I go out whenever I am able to. So far I have got a whole load of work form it. I dont charge for balloons and most folk dont put any cash in but I give out cards and this way I have been booked for arround 6 parties and several other events including a wedding and corpoate wprk for a local suppermarket. This is all in a  few months.
If you want to give it a go and are not comfortable taking cash giving it to a local charity is one answer. Dont forget to take out your expenses though. Good luck and god bless.
Crazy bananas :D
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Clown4Fun on July 26, 2009, 10:03:02 AM
Quote from: "crazybananas"I gave busking a go and it was great, I go out whenever I am able to. So far I have got a whole load of work form it. I dont charge for balloons and most folk dont put any cash in but I give out cards and this way I have been booked for arround 6 parties and several other events including a wedding and corpoate wprk for a local suppermarket. This is all in a  few months.
If you want to give it a go and are not comfortable taking cash giving it to a local charity is one answer. Dont forget to take out your expenses though. Good luck and god bless.
Crazy bananas :D
Hi Bananas.

just a question about the busking regulations in UK. Do you have any hints? I have my clowning/face painting business registered and insured, but I don't know how to go about the busking side of it... can you help? cheers.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: daveandrews on August 05, 2009, 03:48:47 AM
So someone gives you, say, £1.00 for your creation. They walk away happy with a big smile on their face.

Minutes later they come back with your creation having met with an untimely and early demise. What do you do?

Just wondered   :(

Dave

http://www.partymagic.org.uk (http://www.partymagic.org.uk)
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Clown4Fun on August 05, 2009, 04:13:30 PM
Quote from: "daveandrews"So someone gives you, say, £1.00 for your creation. They walk away happy with a big smile on their face.

Minutes later they come back with your creation having met with an untimely and early demise. What do you do?

Just wondered   :(

Dave

http://www.partymagic.org.uk (http://www.partymagic.org.uk)


if it is just popped in one place, like missing a leg, or something else usually try to fix it. I say then "Oh, no problem, I've got a balloon repair traning" or if this is an animal: "Oh, no problem, I am a professional balloon vet...."

I really rather try to keep them happy. They are our customers and "pay check people" after all.
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: daveandrews on August 05, 2009, 11:39:00 PM
many thanks, that's what I thought too - you can't just say 'tough'.

Dave
Title: Re: Busking
Post by: Mujician on July 12, 2014, 08:39:27 PM
What sort of patter do you guys when busking? Is this something you develop over time, or do you just have a chat with the person you're making a balloon for?!