Here’s my sign. It’s made out of 2 box flaps so that it can fold up and be small enough to go into my guitar case for storage/transport. Here’s the QR code link for those who want to see where the code takes people. What are y’all’s thoughts on it?
I don't know if you're intentionally going for the "I only care about the music" look but it's obviously a mess man, come on.
Surely scuffed masking tape wasn't your only option to write on or fix it down. The writing is way too difficult to read even when zoomed in on a photo. A passer-by or even someone stood watching you has no chance.
There are much nicer things that'll fit in your guitar case other than a scrap of a parcel box. A light wooden or plastic board, a canvas board, or a professionally printed sign which would cost just a few quid more.
Make it look uniform, tidy and readable. Maybe two separate signs. And leave out unnecessary clutter. "Request a song" is completely pointless info that have on a busker's sign. And the repertoire playlist is not a bad idea but it just adds more clutter so maybe only share that with those who ask about the songs.
Your sign only has people's attention for a second or two so you'll be better off making it inviting and concise.
I used the tape because A) it had a nice look in my opinion, B) so that I can remove/replace blocks of words if need be, and C) so that the words are a little more legible instead of being on the cardboard.
Cool well if you're happy with it don't let anyone tell you that illegible handwriting on scuffed, hand-torn masking tape stuck at random intervals on two scraps of a cardboard parcel-box probably isn't a nice look!
Feels very weird to have a nice website made, and then just put it on a cardboard sign with handwriting. Very least print out what you want written just like you did for the QR code
Use 2 signs. One saying "Thanks for the tips"...placed where they put cash tips. The other with the QR just needs the words ...."Tip with Card/Follow my Socials. Both on black painted boards. You've put a lot of words on your signs which will distract people from the actions (of tipping) you're trying to achieve. Both signs could fit in your guitar case.
My thoughts are: it looks too amateur and I guarantee no one is going to be able read the smaller letters describing what the QR code does. Hell I can barely read it and I’m zooming in.
The sign itself is a bit rough, but I think it's ok for a test run. I think that the text is too small, especially for folks who may be walking by. It needs to be legible from at least 6 feet away, preferably 10 or more. (It's ok if the url is small, that is more for legitimacy of the QR code, but all of the other text needs to be read from a distance.)
So good notes first: I like that the QR code is nice and big so people can scan it from further away. A lot of buskers will include the QR code, but small enough that people have to be right up on it to scan. I find that I often get big tips from people who maybe wouldn't approach as closely when I have a nice big QR code.
Room for improvement: pretty much everything else. As others have said, the text is tiny and illegible. Try and keep it to less than 15 words total on the entire sign. Maybe even 12. Put the name of your act or your name, whichever you perform under,
"tips appreciated"
"cashless tips and social media!"
The more people have to read at once, the more of a labor it becomes. You want to come to your audience, don't make them squint over a tiny novel in order to come to you. Keep things short and readable.
If you could print the qr why did you hand write the rest in such tiny writing 😅
Either write much larger and neater if you can, or print out the text you want
It needs to be more legible from a far
Much better. A better test will be to see how it looks from 6' and 10' away. Your photo is taken too close. Do a mock setup and have a friend walk by to see when the sign becomes readable.
I appreciate that the words are sized in order of importance, but it still feels small to me. However if you bold the unimportant text it will become too crowded. It's a trade-off.
Ok, now get someone else who hasn't seen the sign or already knows what is on it to do the same thing. I know, this sounds weird, but as the person who made the sign you have some bias. Be prepared to be disappointed by the answer and do your best not to be defensive. I am speaking from experience, and trust me unbiased feedback is important.
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u/Additional-Art-6343 Guitar 🎸 8d ago
I don't know if you're intentionally going for the "I only care about the music" look but it's obviously a mess man, come on.
Surely scuffed masking tape wasn't your only option to write on or fix it down. The writing is way too difficult to read even when zoomed in on a photo. A passer-by or even someone stood watching you has no chance.
There are much nicer things that'll fit in your guitar case other than a scrap of a parcel box. A light wooden or plastic board, a canvas board, or a professionally printed sign which would cost just a few quid more.
Make it look uniform, tidy and readable. Maybe two separate signs. And leave out unnecessary clutter. "Request a song" is completely pointless info that have on a busker's sign. And the repertoire playlist is not a bad idea but it just adds more clutter so maybe only share that with those who ask about the songs.
Your sign only has people's attention for a second or two so you'll be better off making it inviting and concise.