1. Must not maintain permanence.
2. Must not obstruct the flow of traffic.
3. No sales of any product.
4. Must represent yourself only.
5. No handouts or advertisements for other businesses.
6. Must not create hazardous situations.
7. May accept tips but may not solicit, beg, hustle or physically accost people in any way.
8. Must ensure noise level does not create problems.
9. Must respect surrounding business, their clientele and residents.

Definitions of Guidelines:

1. Must not maintain permanence: Must not set up any structure (tent, table, generator, etc.) that establishes a sense of semi-permanence. Must carry all performance materials on person without the use of wagons or nearby vehicles. Must be ready to re-locate immediately at any given moment.

2. Must not obstruct the flow of traffic: Unless invited to come closer by the business owner, must remain in the furthest 3 feet of the sidewalk, 15 feet away from any entrance.

3. No sales of any product: Proper City permits are required for the sale of any product.

4. Must represent yourself only: No mascots representing business or interests.

5. No handouts or advertisements for other businesses.

6. Must not create hazardous situations.

7. May accept tips but may not solicit, beg, hustle or physically accost people in any way.

8. Must ensure noise level does not create problems: Must not be audible from 75 feet away.

9. Must respect surrounding business, their clientele and residents: Must choose appropriate locations for your style of performance. Must not create disturbance.

Here are some tips for busking that Busk:Pittsburgh has researched to help you.

Getting paid for your work:

Most performers will tell you that they do their jobs because they enjoy them. That is by far the best reason to do any job. However, don't forget that it is a job and you need to be rewarded for your efforts. Don't be ashamed of asking for money. A busker isn't a panhandler. Making people smile is a noble profession. You aren't likely to get rich doing it, but if you put a lot of time and energy into it, you deserve at least a few good meals.

Performance tips:

1. You must actively gather a crowd. Don't expect incredible juggling to make them interested. You have to tell them to be interested. Be clever. Be eye catching. Do something really big when you start out. Wear bright costumes. Show them that you are not afraid or inhibited (even if you are!). You have to make yourself extra-ordinary if you expect anyone to watch.

2. The biggest three factors when it comes to $$ is location, location and finally, location. The geography needs to be good if you expect to make any money. Play around with different spots. Things like noise, traffic, police, shop owners etc. tend to influence a potential busking location more than anything else. Finding a good place to busk is the hardest thing to do.

These are some of the things buskers have done:

1. Build a stage: You could put a rope on the ground in a circle. This works very well for it gives the audience a *safe* place and a *not safe* place. It also puts you on stage and adds focus. Kids are usually very observant and do not cross the rope. Some buskers found that a simple thing like the rope/stage told people that they were the audience and here is the performer.

2. Get the first row: To encourage a tight audience IMMEDIATELY introduce yourself and TELL everyone to move up to the rope. The object of all this is to get a tight first row. If you can get a tight circle of people one or two bodies deep, others will see the well-formed group and investigate. It is important to give the audience a sense of identity from the start. Give them something in common. Tell the first group of people an inside joke. Let them in on something that the latecomers will have to be curious about.

3. Pass the Hat: Pass the "hat"; don't toss it on the ground. People want to give YOU money, not some dusty old hat. When you finish the finale, take a moment to be honest and grateful to your audience. Let them know that you truly appreciate that they stayed and watched. This is the time to take a long, well earned bow, and let the audience see the person behind the performance. Take only a moment, because you have to keep performing until the last person drops the last bill into the hat. You have to be your funniest, cleverest, nicest, whatever during the hat pass. Be aggressive without being annoying. Learn a dozen or so hat lines. Keep the crowd entertained while you pass the hat and they won't leave.
Logistics

4. I always say it's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission. However, Busking is new here and a lot of people don't know how to respond to it. If you are busking on public property, NOT selling, but accepting donations/tips, then you are protected by 'freedom of speech'. However, if they look like a cross between Arnold Schwartzeneger and Frankenstein, then it may be best just to leave. It's best not to try to explain the difference between busking and vending; if they ask (or demand) that you stop or leave, just politely excuse yourself. You're right, there's no arguing, even if you are right. Simply move to another location. At this stage of Busking in Pittsburgh, that just may be the best course of action. We are working with City Council to legalize it.

5. It is bad form to 'perform' any place people pay an entrance fee unless you're sanctioned by the sponsoring business.

6. Busking really keeps one sharp and is also great for trying out new material. If security does approach you, if possible, get the audience on your side. This makes it very embarrassing for the cop/guard to remove you. Otherwise, a good approach is "I am offering free entertainment and sometimes people tip me."