I love buskers. Nothing gets a grin on my face faster than seeing some street-corner band jamming down to some homegrown rockabilly. I taught myself to juggle and twist balloon animals because of loving buskers, and I used to paint the faces of kids at the local elementary school summer barbecue.
Now, buskers know business isn’t about money. It’s about people, their needs and desires. Buskers are the perfect role models for increasing business with social skills.
Buskers are street performers. They actively perform for tossed coins and financial encouragement. Buskers know very well just how far social skills can make money. These people sell entertainment, pure and simple. How they interact with the crowd has everything to do with how much they make.
Make no mistake; entrepreneurs are performers, too.
Think about it: Would you throw a dollar in the hat of a shy person playing some music quietly in the shadows?
Or, would you be tempted to stop and enjoy the entertainment of a vibrant, bright performer, one that twists balloons or performs magic tricks with a flourish? This person might be friendly with spectators, bantering and interacting with all who pass by. He or she might ply a few jokes for smiles, call out to those who walk past to attract their interest, or maybe treat a small child with special attention.
All of these social skills have one purpose in mind: to encourage people to give money for nothing more than a good time.
It’s clear. How you interact with others has a direct effect on how likely they’ll be to pad your pockets. If you make people feel good, welcomed or well served, you’ll be in a great position to help them part with their dollars.
