

“I’m going to be a Professional Yo-yoer for a living…sort of, kind of…maybe?”

So what does it mean to be a professional Yo-yoer? Is it possible to make this a full time job? If I work really hard, with there be fame and riches awaiting me?

Um…no. Take note: the world champion gets what, 500 dollars? There isn’t a lot of money to be made as a yo-yoer. For the rare few it can be a career, mostly those that make yoyos, or are spectacular entertainers and business managers.

Very few of us have what it takes to be John Higby.

For the rest, the yo-yo is a fun hobby that gives you a skill and social group to relate to.

But fear not! While you probably aren’t going to make a living yo-yoing, you can make enough money to get that new yoyo you wanted, or help pay your way to nationals, or worlds, or that trip to Vancouver to meet me. Because I know that’s everyone’s dream. Here are a few ways to scare up some pocket change:



1. Selling beginner yoyos at markets:

This one has worked reasonably well for me. Most cities have farmers markets and festivals that are always looking for children’s entertainers. If you offer to entertain for free in exchange for the ability to sell yoyos they will often agree. If you can find decent dollar store yoyos, you can usually sell them for $5. Particularily if you sell them with an extra string, and a card with links to websites. I also paint mine to add some extra value. Generally if you do simple tricks to grab peoples attention, then offer to let them try they get into it. Teach people sleeper and rock the baby and they will get excited. A trick is to get a kid into, then hand the parent a yoyo and say “big kids get to try too.”

2. Busking (Street Performing):

Not for the faint of heart. I tried a couple times, made 2 dollars in an hour and quit. This was before I figured out that most people don’t know what to do with someone doing technical tricks. Pick a half dozen simple tricks to do that you can do without thinking about it. Then engage with people. No one is going to pay you unless you tell them they should. Say hi to people, offer to let them try a yoyo. The money I did make came from a sign that said “free yoyo lesson by donation”. I say again, simple tricks, talk to people.

***note – please remember to look into local by-laws around street performing, there may be a licence you need. Also, be safe, make sure you have space to throw. Cone off a small area if you think you need to, this has the added benefit of drawing peoples attention.

3. Childrens Workshops and birthday parties:

This one is trickier. It works really well for me, but I’m a school teacher by trade, so I have the skill set to manage a group of small children and teach them a skill. This is harder than you think, and I’d be happy to give detailed advice and a program to anyone that asks. Suffice to say it requires patience, and an ability to rotate your focus around a group without spending too much time on one excited person.

4. The internet:

There isn’t a huge yoyo market out there, and everyone wants a piece. Youtube will pay you; as long as you get 1000 views a day and are using 100% original content. I make tutorials. Each video gets from 300-1000 views. The only music I use is my own guitar playing, so I get all the credit and ad revenue. If you use someone elses music, there goes your paycheque. You are relying on people letting that little video clip at the beginning play through 30 seconds for you to get paid. If you work hard and really get your videos out to a wide audience, you can make perhaps 100-200 dollars per year.

5. Performing:

There are a couple pro-yoyoers who make thier living performing. They are pretty much the exact opposite of contest yoyoing. They do simple tricks, with smiles, jokes and much drama. Go check out Yo-yo People, or some old Smothers Brothers for an idea of what to do. Watch the Ted Talks with “Black” the yoyoer. They say a dog is mans best friend, walking the dog is a yoyoers best friend. Learn to loop 2-handed if you want to preform. 4a works as well. 1a is hard to watch for non-yoyoers. Getting paying gigs is hard, but they are out there.

All of these suggestions share 2 things in common. Peformance and teaching. My skills lean more towards teaching, so putting yoyos in the hands of children is natural for me. Performance has been a challenge that I’m slowly working up to. It requires a mastery of basic skills, and an ability to interact with and charm an audience. This may be a stretch for some, but it is a learnable skill that will serve you well in life. You probably won’t make a career out of it, but you can always put “Professional Yo-yoer” on a resume, and if nothing else it’ll help you stick out from the crowd.

Please, please don’t forget why you yoyo. Its fun. You enjoy it. If at any point you find you are doing it for the money and not having fun anymore, go get a job at Burger King (where the pay is better) and leave the yoyoing for your spare time where it belongs.

MrYoyothrower