Collecting Tips at Your Music Venue: Overview

• Purpose: Help music venues set up simple, effective systems for collecting tips from customers in-person and online.
• Focus areas: Physical tip jars, card/terminal tipping, QR codes, tip buttons on websites, livestream tipping, and fair distribution policies.
• Outcome: More support for staff and artists, increased revenue, and a smoother experience for guests who want to show appreciation.

1. Clarify Who the Tips Are For

• Staff tips: Tips for bar staff, servers, door staff, cloakroom, etc.
• Artist tips: Tips for bands, DJs, sound engineers, or specific performers.
• House vs artist split: Decide if tips are:
  • 100% for staff
  • 100% for the artist(s)
  • Split between house and performers (e.g., 50/50)
• Transparency: Clearly tell customers where tips go:
  • “Tips support our bar team.”
  • “All tips go directly to tonight’s performers.”
  • “Tips are shared between the venue team and artists.”

2. Traditional Tip Jars at the Venue

• Placement:
  • On the bar counter (high traffic).
  • At the merch table or stage edge for artist tips.
  • Near the exit with a “Thank you!” sign.
• Design & signage:
  • Use clear containers so people see existing tips.
  • Add simple, bold signage: “Tips for the team!” or “Support the band!”
  • Consider fun prompts (“If you love live music, tip here.”).
• Security:
  • Keep jars within staff sight at all times.
  • Empty regularly into a secure till or safe during busy nights.
  • Use weighted or anchored jars in crowded spaces.
• Pros: Simple, cheap, intuitive for customers.
• Cons: Cash-only; less effective as more people go cashless.

3. Card & Terminal Tipping In-Person

• Integrated POS tipping:
  • Enable prompting on card terminals (e.g., “Add a tip?”).
  • Offer preset amounts (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20%) plus “No tip” option.
  • Use staff training to always hand the terminal to the customer, not press buttons for them.
• Tip-only transactions:
  • Set up an item like “Staff Tip” or “Artist Tip” in your POS software.
  • Allow customers to tap card or phone just to leave a tip, even if they’re not buying a drink.
• Distribution settings:
  • Ensure your POS system can report tips separately from sales.
  • Configure staff profiles so tips can be pooled or assigned by shift.
• Pros: Works for cashless guests; can significantly increase tipping amounts.
• Cons: Transaction fees; requires proper POS setup and staff training.

4. QR Code Tip Stations in the Venue

• How it works:
  • Create payment links through providers like PayPal, Stripe, Buy Me a Coffee, Ko-fi, or a dedicated tipping app.
  • Generate QR codes that point directly to these links.
  • Print and display the QR codes around the venue.
• Placement ideas:
  • On tables, menus, and bar mats.
  • On posters near the stage (“Tip the band” QR code).
  • On the back of staff lanyards or badges (“Tip your bartender”).
• Messaging:
  • Use short copy: “Scan to tip the band,” “Scan to tip our team.”
  • Clarify destination: “All tips go to tonight’s performers.”
• Pros: Fast, contactless, works with phones, easy to link to multiple accounts (bar vs artist).
• Cons: Requires data/wifi; needs clear instructions for less tech-savvy customers.

5. Adding Tip Buttons on Your Website

• Why website tipping matters:
  • Allows supporters to tip even when they’re not physically at the venue.
  • Works well for fans watching livestreams or checking your event listings.
  • Creates an ongoing income stream between shows.
• Where to place tip buttons:
  • Homepage: A small but visible “Support the Venue” or “Leave a Tip” button.
  • Event pages: “Enjoy our shows? Tip the venue or the artists here.”
  • Livestream / video pages: “Tip during this show” link next to the video player.
  • Footer or navigation: Persistent “Support Us” or “Donate/Tip” link.
• How to set up a tip button (simple method):
  • Use a payment provider (PayPal, Stripe, Square, Buy Me a Coffee, Ko-fi, etc.).
  • Create a “donation” or “support” page/link with:
    • Preset amounts (e.g., $5, $10, $20) and a custom amount field.
    • Optional message field for supporters.
  • Embed their button or copy their HTML snippet onto your site.
  • Style the button to match your branding (colour, font, size).
• Suggested button text:
  • “Support Live Music”
  • “Tip the Venue”
  • “Tip Our Team & Artists”
  • “Buy the Venue a Drink” (fun, informal)
• Best practices:
  • Keep the process to as few clicks as possible.
  • Make sure the page is mobile-friendly.
  • Include a short explanation of where tips go: “Your tips help pay our staff and keep grassroots music alive.”

6. Digital Wallets & App-Based Tipping

• Supported payment methods:
  • Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets.
  • Local payment apps (e.g., popular regional banking or QR payment apps).
• Implementation:
  • Ensure your payment processor supports one-tap wallet payments.
  • Test the flow from mobile devices: scanning QR → tip amount → payment.
  • Consider short URLs for social media bios (“Tip us: venue.com/tip”).
• Pros: Fast, frictionless, especially on mobile; ideal for quick impulses to tip.
• Cons: Depends on tech stack and payment gateway compatibility; transaction fees apply.

7. Tipping for Livestreams & Online Events

• Integration with streaming platforms:
  • Use built-in features (e.g., “Super Chats,” “Stars,” or platform-specific tipping).
  • Include external links in the description (PayPal/Stripe/Ko-fi tip pages).
  • Display QR codes on screen during the stream (“Scan to tip”).
• On-screen prompts:
  • Occasional verbal mention: “If you’d like to support the venue and artists, the tip link is below.”
  • Lower-third graphics with a short URL or QR code.
• Split arrangements:
  • Agree with artists in advance how livestream tips will be divided.
  • Communicate this to viewers (e.g., “All tips are split 50/50 between artists and venue.”).

8. Communicating About Tips Without Awkwardness

• Signage tone of voice:
  • Friendly and grateful, not pushy: “If you’d like to support…”
  • Align with venue personality (serious, playful, DIY, classy, etc.).
• Staff language:
  • Train staff to inform, not pressure: “You’ll see a tip prompt on the screen; it’s totally optional.”
  • Discourage staff from pressing tip buttons on customers’ behalf.
• Artist messaging:
  • Performers can gently remind audiences: “If you enjoyed the set, feel free to tip using the QR on the table.”
  • Keep it light and appreciative, not guilt-based.

9. Tracking, Accounting & Tip Distribution

• Separate tip reporting:
  • Configure your POS and online payment tools to tag tips separately from sales.
  • Export reports regularly to track how much was collected and when.
• Tip pooling policies:
  • Decide how tips are shared (equal split, hours worked, role-based weighting).
  • Apply policies consistently and explain them clearly to staff.
• Artist payment:
  • Use clear spreadsheets or band settlement sheets to show tip income for each show.
  • Pay promptly after the event and provide a breakdown.
• Tax and legal considerations:
  • Check local regulations on tip reporting, payroll taxes, and service charges.
  • Decide whether tips are processed through payroll or distributed separately.

10. Testing & Improving Your Tip Systems

• Experiment with placement:
  • Move QR codes and jars to different spots and track differences.
  • Try putting tip prompts on drink menus or posters.
• Test messaging:
  • Compare serious vs playful text (“Support our staff” vs “If we made your night, toss us a tip”).
  • Highlight specific goals: “Tips help us pay fair artist fees.”
• Monitor data:
  • Look at average tips per show or per customer over several weeks.
  • See whether certain events, genres, or times of day generate more tips.
• Ask for feedback:
  • Informally ask regulars if the tip options are easy to use.
  • Adjust based on their experiences and suggestions.

11. Tip Collection Checklist for Music Venues

• In-venue setup:
  • Tip jars placed and clearly labelled.
  • Card terminal tipping enabled with preset options.
  • Tip-only POS item created (“Staff Tip”, “Artist Tip”).
  • QR code tip posters printed and posted.
• Online & website:
  • Tip/support page created with payment provider.
  • Tip buttons added to homepage, event pages, and footer.
  • Short URL and/or QR code created for social bios and livestreams.
• Policies & communication:
  • Clear decision on who receives tips (staff, artists, both).
  • Written tip distribution policy shared with staff and artists.
  • Staff trained to mention tip options in a friendly, non-pushy way.
• Admin & review:
  • Accounting system set up to track tips separately.
  • Tax/legal guidance checked for your region.
  • Regular review of tip levels and system performance.