What does a bard do for a living in the real dnd world?

Actually, don't talk about DND world, it's far away.

Let's start with the westworld of the real earth. /kloc-before the 0/8th century, there were really "poets" in many places there. They usually make a living in salons run by local tyrants, or recite their own poems, or read horoscopes, or be gagged as clowns. In any case, their income is not cheap.

There are some relevant details in some classic works.

If it's the world in the game, you still have to make a living. No need.