Venmo for tips. Would appreciate your experience

#2
Yeah, I used Venmo with one band. Printed out a QR code on a piece of paper and taped it to the tip bucket. I used my personal Venmo account, but changed the name to the band's name. It works.

As a side note, I also use the same Venmo account for my wife's art shows; changed the name to her business name. When people purchase her art through my account, I keep the money. Don't tell her, she hasn't caught on yet. 👍
 
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#4
Drummer placed the QR code on the tip bucket. Apparently it's his personal income stream because I've never seen a dime from the QR contributions.
On the other hand, they know I'm poor and don't charge me for the practice space so I'm not gonna make waves.
 
#6
Thanks everyone.
We have a tip jar (it's actually a chicken) and we do anywhere from $80 to $0. Wineries and park concerts are pretty reliable.

One of the wineries that we play is a bit of a destination spot that draws people from all over the region. Tips are pretty good there, it's like they're on vacation or something. We also constantly ask for requests, and we notice there's a connection between requests and tipping.
 
#7
Hurricane Jimmie said:
and we notice there's a connection between requests and tipping.
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I agree.
Actually saw a classic rock band bring up the most requested southern-rock song of all time very early in their show.
Basically said, before you ask, be advised - not happening until you bring up $100 bill. Five 20's works, 20 10's works....;)

Never thought about Venmo before.
I'll talk to the boss.
Thanks!
 
#8
I made a flyer with my logo and a QR code. A small investment in time and effort that definitely seems to help with tips. Only thing I would change is putting the last 4 digits of my phone number on it, since Venmo sometimes asks for it. For now, I just Sharpie it on there.
 

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#10
TexasHeat said:
Yeah, I used Venmo with one band. Printed out a QR code on a piece of paper and taped it to the tip bucket. I used my personal Venmo account, but changed the name to the band's name. It works.

As a side note, I also use the same Venmo account for my wife's art shows; changed the name to her business name. When people purchase her art through my account, I keep the money. Don't tell her, she hasn't caught on yet. 👍
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Thanks TexasHeat-
If I may ask, how did you compensate the other band members from your Venmo account? Do they also need one?
Thanks
HJ
 
#11
Venmo can be contentious where BL has agreed to an even tip split.

Also it's not much of a thing with middle aged and older crowds.

We do well with cash, though we don't call it a tip jar; It's a gas money contribution vessel - "I gave up taking tips when I gave up stripping."

Also, if you have a request and write it on a $5 or $10 bill, we'll play it if we know it. If you write it on a $50 or $100 bill, we'll learn it right before your eyes.
 
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#12
I don’t play in a situation where there is a tip jar. I never have. So I can’t speak to the accounts receivable Cash vs Digital.

But I do see live music and walk past buskers and eat and drank at establishments with solo or combo.

And last time I had paper in my wallet was in March on vacation and I’m going back to UK in the winter so I’ll probably get more.
It’s impossible for me to tip in cash because it’s 2024 and I got a debit card in 1983 and PayPal in 1996.
Point is it’s 2024, everyone has Apple Pay and Google Pay and PayPal and Venmo and Zelle unless they’re on the fringes of society and Ted Kaczynski ain’t tipping your band anyway.

Why don’t you put out the hat and put up a smart tag and see which one makes more money in a month? Pretty harmless experiment, right? After all, you and everyone in your band already have Apple Pay and Google Pay and PayPal and Venmo and Zelle because I see from your profile you aren’t the Unabomber.
 
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#14
if you have a tip jar, it's kind of a no brainer to accept venmo or cashapp. more ways to pay = more tip potential. i don't really see the losing side to this, and it's done commonly these days.
 
#17
sean_on_bass said:
not in my locale. i'm middle aged and everyone i know uses venmo for varying purposes. i also work for alot of older BL's and collect most of my gig pay through venmo.
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The BL part I get, though when I throw together a pickup, such as last night, I pay everyone by Zelle.

Still, the older crowds I have contact with here in DFW still prefer to drop cash in the jar, These are mostly either in-town dives with a lot of vibe and character or popular venues between 40 miles north of town and the Oklahoma state line.

We've got a 3-nighter coming up 8 hours away in Branson - might be a different tip scene; Stay tuned
 
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#18
Lance Bunyon said:
Drummer placed the QR code on the tip bucket. Apparently it's his personal income stream because I've never seen a dime from the QR contributions.
On the other hand, they know I'm poor and don't charge me for the practice space so I'm not gonna make waves.
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This is the way I would do it. Decent sized QR code that someone can zoom in on with their camera. Don't advertise it, people know what a QR code is. Not a fan of plugging for tips. Get enough of that from everywhere else these days. The only tips I plug for are for waitresses and bartenders.
 
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#20
James Flowers said:
If I remember correctly, Vemo-CashApp-etc will be reporting your tips to the IRS now. I think the limit is $600 or a certain number of transaction but I haven't kept up with the details.. Just saying be aware of reporting requirements and there impacts on you.
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All bank deposits are reported, including digital deposits from cash apps.

Once you PAY someone $600 or more in a year, you're required to send a 1099 to that person, and a copy to the IRS. You can still show any payments below $600 to an individual in a year as a business expense, you're just not required to file a 1099.

Remember - you only pay income tax on net income; gross income minus business expenses.
 
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