Strategies for displaying QR codes for tips?

[Hasty]

There are several places I play where the clientele doesn't always have cash... but they frequently ask if we have a Venmo. I have a screenshot of our QR code on my phone and share it with them... but one band I subbed with actually printed out little handbills with their band info and Venmo QR code and dropped them on several tables towards the stage. Seemed like a sensible and benign way to make the information available for those that might be interested without having a huge banner on the stage with a QR code. Most places I play we have a pretty good relationship with the venue so I don't think they would mind if we asked... if they did mind then we just wouldn't do it and I would just hand one out on request only.

Anyone done this before? Encounter any issues with it? Doesn't feel inappropriate to me and possibly a good idea, but I wanted to see if others have tried similar or even something better. We do pretty good with cash tips, but I bet we would see an increase if we had a readily accessible QR code.

 

[Winslow]

It would be pretty easy to make 6x6" printouts of your QR, affix them to foam board (or MDF if the gigs get rambunctious) and clip them to your mic stands facing the audience so they show up right in the areas where people usually take photos. It wouldn't be big enough to be obtrusive, but just about right for the camera sensors to "see" them.

You could even have slightly different variants depending on whose mic stand they get, like a funny message or quote from each person, but ultimately pointing to the band's site/info. The variety could prompt the curiosity of people to take more pictures, since the natural inclination is to see what they all say. If it's done well enough, it might also prompt sharing, and increase the drive in traffic.

If your drummer's up for it, you could even make one to hang on the front of the kick.

Good luck!

 

[Hasty]

It would be pretty easy to make 6x6" printouts of your QR, affix them to foam board (or MDF if the gigs get rambunctious) and clip them to your mic stands facing the audience so they show up right in the areas where people usually take photos. It wouldn't be big enough to be obtrusive, but just about right for the camera sensors to "see" them.

You could even have slightly different variants depending on whose mic stand they get, like a funny message or quote from each person, but ultimately pointing to the band's site/info. The variety could prompt the curiosity of people to take more pictures, since the natural inclination is to see what they all say. If it's done well enough, it might also prompt sharing, and increase the drive in traffic.

If your drummer's up for it, you could even make one to hang on the front of the kick.

Good luck!

Those are some good ideas. For current state I made some printouts that are a little bigger than a business card.

I really like the idea of the 6x6. It reminded me of a few times I’ve been hired to so some solo stuff and I made a board that was about 12x18 with my venno username on it. I might revisit that idea.

 

[DirtDog]

I wonder if you could gamifiy it a bit. With the QR code taped to tables, maybe set it up that, when prompted, the first table to tip a certain amount gets to pick the next song (from a list). On top of passive tipping, of course. Do that once a set.

 

[Hasty]

I wonder if you could gamifiy it a bit. With the QR code taped to tables, maybe set it up that, when prompted, the first table to tip a certain amount gets to pick the next song (from a list). On top of passive tipping, of course. Do that once a set.

That is a fantastic idea as well! We usually tell them they can write a request on the back of a $20 bill… or they can write it on the back of a $10 and we will just play the chorus.

 

[kentiki]

One of @BassCliff bands, uses something like a fancy tip jar with a QR sign attached. Maybe he could post it for you.

 

[droo46]

One of @BassCliff bands, uses something like a fancy tip jar with a QR sign attached. Maybe he could post it for you.

This is basically what my band does, but the vast majority of the time, we still get more in cash tips. I think what might be the best option is to have small standing cards (kinda like how restaurants do their drink menus/specials) on tables or the bar since the only people walking up to the tip jar are heading there with money anyway.

 

[Winslow]

Those are some good ideas. For current state I made some printouts that are a little bigger than a business card.

I really like the idea of the 6x6. It reminded me of a few times I’ve been hired to so some solo stuff and I made a board that was about 12x18 with my venno username on it. I might revisit that idea.

Thanks. The clips I had in mind were things like those used to hold brooms, etc. Pretty easy to pick up at a big-box hardware store, and with flanges ready to glue or tape to the back of a piece of foam board:

In addition to the mic stands, they could go on cymbal stands as well (if the drummer doesn't want to put a QR on the kick).