It is not easy to make money busking, especially enough to live from.
But if you're talented, passionate and willing to put in the work, it is possible.
Here is a checklist to help improve these odds: Performance Work at it, play it as well as you can and more importantly with confidence.
Where possible, get feedback from those that will be honest with you before you hit the streets.
Engage The Audience Busking is different from playing on stage.
It is an art within itself.
The best musician can put on a great performance on a stage, but he may find few people will stop and listen if he were playing on the street.
Busking Spot and Busking Time Choose your time and place wisely.
Play for people that are out to have fun and relax.
Don't play for people that are in a hurry and couldn't stop to listen to you even if they wanted.
Also find out what the competition is like in your spot.
Tip Catcher Make your tip catcher as obvious and accessible as possible but without being "in your face".
In most places, it is illegal to solicit money, but accepting tips graciously is what it's all about.
People may be less inclined to tip if they cannot clearly see where to place money, or if they cannot simply throw money into a tip catcher without having stop, bend over and such.
Some say the tip catcher should be a distance from yourself, just in case some people don't want to get too close, but that may make it hard for you to keep a keen eye on your earnings.
Build Hype Spread the word about your performance, where you will be, what you will be doing and so on.
The easiest way to do this would be through social networking sites, Facebook, Twitter, and so on.