[dulciemae]

So to cut a long story short, I need to raise £700 before September 5th and one of my main ideas was busking. I only sing, and was counting on my friend to help me out (he play's guitar really well) and he was up for it until he realised that he'd need a battery amp, which would set us back a minimum of £50. Seeing as we could only possibly go a coupla times, and busking is so unpredictable in what you raise, I'm unsure about whether it'll be worth going, and if we'd make back the original costs! I was so excited about it and reckon we make a decent double act. Do you think we could profit on this, would saying I'm raising money for charity give people a greater incentive to donate? Should we just try to gig it instead? Both from London as well if that makes any difference...

EDIT - I AM doing this for charity, just wanted to ask this question quickly without explaining all the hefty details. AS it goes I'm NOT an evil cow that gets kicks out of begging for money and pretending it's for charity. Jeeeeesus. Here's my justgiving page if you don't believe me, verified by VSO. http://justgiving.com/DulcieH

[Linzikins]

I never give money to buskers to me it's a form of begging. There is a woman near my work that comes and plays the violin to a music tape every week, the same 4 songs and I swear I have never wanted to cut a string on an instrument so bad! There is also a little man that plays a flute and actually asks for money when people walk past.

When people do donate they only give like pennies anyway so making back your £50 for the amp might not even happen. Surely there are other ways? To me it completely depends on what the money is for and how you go about it.


Sorry for my harsh views I just don't support busking.

[Mazzini]

It depends where you are. In a touristy place it's great; I've made £7 in half an hour and that's not even playing pop music, that's just classical. I would check to see what regulations there are on busking where you're planning to perform. Some places require you to get a licence for busking, although this differs between different local authorities. If you're good, you'll get a crowd gathering. Good luck, and watch out for people who try to nick your money.

[Anythingoo1]

Depends how good you are, but unfortunately it's not the best way of raising money. I would look at fundraising like running marathons or cake sales, but from what I've seen, it's really not the best way to raise money, unless you're someone from the charts, which I assume you're not? :P

[jamboogy]

Don't you need a license to busk...?

I'll give money to the charismatic ones, like those who actually love what they're doing, and not doing it just for the monies. If you're fit then you'll probably make a bit more.

[Pitt1988]

Depends where you are. I've got a mate down in Coventry and she has made up to £80 for 2 hours but she is a really, really good singer. You'll have to check what regulations there are where you're planning on going because police can be awkward about it sometimes.

[JammyChoos]

I agree with Linzikins, busking doesnt get much cos its like begging

[yennibubs]

A group of friends did break dance for charity in central London by trafalgar sq and managed to raise £900+ in 5hours.

This was 100%for charity though and I wouldn't think it's fair if you claim its for charity but it's not (assuming you're raising it for yourself).

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[Above.The.Empyrean]

I discern we've found an invidious specimen, Cap'n!

[dulciemae]

(Original post by xoxAngel_Kxox)
Yes it would, but it would also be lying, and I think that's a disgusting thing to do.

I always busk around Christmas, which is slightly different I guess because all I play are carols, and I can make around £100 in a day so you could probably make a bit from it. I take a small brass ensemble to the shopping centre and play carols for around 4 hours to make this amount.

Erm, I'm not lying. I'm going volunteering in September and part of the process is raising money for the charity, ergo, all the proceeds I might make would go directly to Voluntary Service Overseas - a developement charity who are one of the world leading charities in fighting poverty.

Jheeze, reading that just made my blood boil, god forbid anyone would do that!! Perhaps that was the reason for negs lol?

Tbh, I think we're alright, he's amazing, and we were going to go gigging in the past but he had uni and things just didn't work out.

[dulciemae]

Thanks for the help so far, to clarify I am actually raising money for charity - just didn't want to bore everyone with the details. Thanks for the honest responses, kind of what I expected really.

To answer the 'if' questions,

I think we are quite good together. We've been a double act for a while, but only at college because uni and stuff got in the way of our gigging dreams!

I would go to a touristy place, preferably Camden as they conincidentally are the only borough in London that don't ask for a busking licence!

Of course it's about the money, as I have a short amount of time and I want to not only reach, but exceed my target before September which is approaching exceedingly fast, so the reason I asked is because I don't want to waste a day where I could be doing street collecting or something where I could earn possibly earn more. Although we both love performing, ultimately it's what earns the most for my charity that's important.

[dulciemae]

(Original post by yennibubs)
A group of friends did break dance for charity in central London by trafalgar sq and managed to raise £900+ in 5hours.

This was 100%for charity though and I wouldn't think it's fair if you claim its for charity but it's not (assuming you're raising it for yourself).

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

I'm not! check the updates! and wow, that's amazing! pity i have 2 left feet

[E13]

I've got two friends who go and they make about £20 an hour each on average. They also get asked to do paid gigs from it. So it would well be worth doing - they just use an acoustic guitar, so no amp. They do make sure they go to wealthier places though, and make sure they look really presentable. Good luck!

[dulciemae]

(Original post by jamboogy)
Don't you need a license to busk...?

I'll give money to the charismatic ones, like those who actually love what they're doing, and not doing it just for the monies. If you're fit then you'll probably make a bit more.

I am doing it for the money because I do need it, for charity, check the Justgiving page or ring up VSO if you don't believe me! And the reason why I'm asking is because I LOVE to perform, and despite my friend being a bit worried about the amp situiation, we both wanted to persue the idea because we love to do it, and its for a good cause LOL, oh well that's a shame.

[jamboogy]

(Original post by dulciemae)
I am doing it for the money because I do need it, for charity, check the Justgiving page or ring up VSO if you don't believe me! And the reason why I'm asking is because I LOVE to perform, and despite my friend being a bit worried about the amp situiation, we both wanted to persue the idea because we love to do it, and its for a good cause LOL, oh well that's a shame.

Good luck anyway. Sounds like it's for a good cause and you seem to be full of ideas.

[sharp910sh]

Get a job? You are fit and well right?

[sharp910sh]

I will not give you a cent for you to go go on holiday. Youth these days, begging.

[dulciemae]

(Original post by sharp910sh)
I will not give you a cent for you to go go on holiday. Youth these days, begging.

1. My flights, accommodation and everything have been paid for. The money I raise goes directly to the development charity.

2. It won't be a holiday.

3. Lol.

[dulciemae]

(Original post by sharp910sh)
Get a job? You are fit and well right?

I have a job but as it was just casual work I haven't been getting much since Ramadan came around as its waitressing for Asian weddings, most of which are Muslims. Sounds ridiculous, but yeah. And various other things have accumulated to explain why I don't have another as of yet, such as olympic job offers not going though because of last minute references etc etc. There's no need to patronize me thank you very much.

[ScarlettDangerfield]

I have a friend who actually gains most of his income from busking, and he's not exactly struggling for money either.