What cashless tipping app for gigs?

[mikealpine]

Hey all, I have my first paid gig coming up on Friday, in a part of town where visitors are well off. I’d like to set up a way, other than cash, for people to give tips. I don’t plan on gigging often, so I don’t want to invest in hardware, chip readers or anything. I have a Venmo account. Is it easiest to just put up the QR code on a sign? Is there a service that will allow payment through any of the common portals, like PayPal, Zelle, credit cards…whatever the patrons have available.

Would love to hear some suggestions, thanks so much!

[rule18]

Hey Mike.. I have a couple of friends that use a Venmo QR code. One puts up a small sign near his tip jar, the other prints cards with a Venmo QR code. Both have had a fair amount of success (and tips) going that route. The card reader (even as a phone attachment) seems like it would be a weird transaction. Dunno, maybe it's just me.

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by rule18

Hey Mike.. I have a couple of friends that use a Venmo QR code. One puts up a small sign near his tip jar, the other prints cards with a Venmo QR code. Both have had a fair amount of success (and tips) going that route. The card reader (even as a phone attachment) seems like it would be a weird transaction. Dunno, maybe it's just me.

Thanks for this, and yes I agree that a card reader seems out of place. It was something I read about elsewhere, and seemed odd, wondered if anyone actually used one for this.

[TomB'sox]

I don't know the answer to your question, but congrats on the gig and I hope you have a great time!

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

I don't know the answer to your question, but congrats on the gig and I hope you have a great time!

Thanks Tom! A buddy got us a spot at the Beach Bakery Cafe in Westhampton on Friday from 6 -9 PM. Should be a lot of fun!

[Goat Mick]

I use the Blinq app. It allows you to include several links within one QR code. I had several stickers made with the QR code and have them on my tip jar and on a sign I keep in my guitar case. When someone scans the QR code they will find links to listen and download my CDs, tip me via either CashApp or PayPal, email address, phone number, website and social media accounts. It's a pretty powerful tool. It also places the QR code on my phone so I can have someone scan it from there as well. It has gotten me several gigs and a bunch of tips. You can see my guitar case and the sign in the pic below. I also included the QR code so you can see what it does.

[mike o]

Awesome Mick. I was not aware you could attach several links to one QR. thank you!

[mikealpine]

Thank you, Mick, great info!

[Stringmaster]

Originally Posted by Goat Mick

I use the Blinq app. It allows you to include several links within one QR code. I had several stickers made with the QR code and have them on my tip jar and on a sign I keep in my guitar case. When someone scans the QR code they will find links to listen and download my CDs, tip me via either CashApp or PayPal, email address, phone number, website and social media accounts. It's a pretty powerful tool. It also places the QR code on my phone so I can have someone scan it from there as well. It has gotten me several gigs and a bunch of tips. You can see my guitar case and the sign in the pic below. I also included the QR code so you can see what it does.

How is the paperwork handled on this app? A 1099 from each company, or do they combine all of the tip income in one statement/1099?

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by Stringmaster

How is the paperwork handled on this app? A 1099 from each company, or do they combine all of the tip income in one statement/1099?

The app just directs the user to the pay services you already have. Taxes are handled as usual through those services.

[Stringmaster]

Originally Posted by Goat Mick

The app just directs the user to the pay services you already have. Taxes are handled as usual through those services.

Thanks for the clarification!