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Tip jar encouragement

need4mospd

need4mospd

Dec 22, 2005
1,534
9
44
Houston
#1
Looking for interesting ways to fill a tip jar. The best method as always, is to be able to actually play a song requested by the audience. But sometimes the requests are too strange, or the band only knows a set amount of songs. One of my favorites is to throw out a random trivia question related to the last song, and announce that the winner can have all the money in the tip jar. This, of course, only works at the beginning of the night when it's empty. It'll usually get a couple folks out of their seats and up to the stage, and I've seen a $20 show up a couple times.
 
#2
This topic reminds me of a local venue near me where pianists perform requested songs for tips. If no one tips for a while, then they purposefully play annoying songs until the next request + tip arrives.

I doubt that approach would work for bands, but it's funny to think about.
 
#4
At 2-man type acoustic shows, I have told people that if they like what we do, to put a dollar in the tip jar; if they hate it, put in $10.00 cuz we'll quit if we get enough money. it usually gets a laugh although I never know how to feel when there is occasionally a ten in there.

we never have tip jars at full band shows. we figure we get paid fairly well up front, and if that tip money goes to the bartenders and waitresses, they'll keep us coming back
 
#6
When one of my bands had a steady gig at a local American Legion, it was a piece of cake to encourage tips: we covered Sweet Home Alabama and a couple ZZtop tunes in between originals, and every half hour or so would make a comment about how great America is. Worked like a charm.
 
#7
A couple of bands I played in did a tip song - one was Eddie Murphy's "Bee in Your Butt" melody with words about putting money (and other stuff) in the jar, another was "Money in the Jar-o" to the meoldy of "Whiskey in the Jar" by Thin Lizzy. Lots of opportunity for others like that. Neither band did them everytime, and it was funny and surprisingly effective when we did.
 
#8
My band had an outdoor gig at a private party last Saturday. We didn't put out a tip jar but the host made one for us. At one point three kids about 10 years old picked it up and started to work the crowd for us! We ended up with $35 per person in tips! I told those kids they should come do that at all our gigs.
 
#9
I know some guys who hung a beer pitcher on the mic stand and said, "OK, here's the deal. If you like us, give us a dollar. If you want to sing, it'll cost you two. If you're good, we might give one back".

It worked pretty well.
 
#12
We put out a Tip Jar at every show. Here is my favorite, and oft used intro. I step up to the mic and announce to the crowd: "Please notice the tip jar sitting here in front of the band. Normally, I don't do this, but these other guys in the band must be falling on hard times. They can't even afford a pack of cigarettes. Why, just before we started, I found them out by the band trailer and they were all smoking the same one!"

Gets a good laugh and works more often than not.
 
#19
A real obvious one, alluded to above, is to make sure your tip jar is placed in a visible location and is clearly and largely marked "TIPS" or the like. If you play in family places, you might want to announce a fun activity for the Kids: put a dollar in the tip jar game. If they go for it, be ready with some lines like "Stay in school kid, don't end up like the drummer here" or "Ah, here is a kid whose parents raised him/her right" or the ever classic (if the kid is accompanied by a hot mom) "Hey kid, is your big sister there going to put any in?" It usually ends up in a bunch of dollar bills from the kids and maybe the parents throwing in some bigger denominations on the way out.

I also have a word about sending someone around to collect tip money. If you are in a bar, make sure the management is cool with it. Talking up tips on the mic and even some mild over the mike "pressure" to tip is one thing, going around to people at their tables is another. I've had customers complain, resulting in getting chewed by the club manager a few times over the years. The extra TIP money you get in that case is not worth souring your relationship with the club.
 
#20
After a rousing number with the dance floor full, I'll remark (on mic) how great that song was and say " man, that was so good I'm going to tip the band", then pull out as much money as I a have on me and toss it in the jar. Sometimes all they need is a reminder that the jar is there for a reason. It usually works great.
Another thing I'll do is announce that we are doing a scientific experiment to see exactly how much money it would take to fill the tip jar. It usually gets a good laugh and sometimes some generous tips.
 

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