The last few of blogs I visited in Blog Explosion have all had “make a donation” buttons; do these things make any sense?
One of the pages was so poorly designed that I can’t imagine that the content was any good. I couldn’t check because after scrolling 9-10 screens I hadn’t hit the content yet — the sidebar links had pushed the content all the way to the bottom of the page. Other sites are just the person going on and on about their kids, day, or Terry Shiavo, and while I respect your right to blog about whatever you want (I know I do), I wouldn’t expect donations based on the quality of content alone.
I know some bloggers (kotte) are doing well with donations, but at least they put serious effort into blogging as a vocation. If it’s just your hobby, I wouldn’t expect much. Maybe I’m wrong, if you’ve got a donation link on your site, and it’s making you money, leave me a comment and let me know. Who knows, if your content is good, I might just pony up a couple of bucks.
Note: I do use Amazon Associates for all of the stuff I talk about here, but at least people clicking on the links get something for their money.
I agree. It seems that some people put it one there just because they have a blog. I don’t mind ads as much, as long as there is not too many. But just to donate because you’re poor, that’s different. If you have a great blog and it is to buy a domain or something related I’ll listen, otherwise I’m not.
I agree. It seems that some people put it one there just because they have a blog. I don’t mind ads as much, as long as there is not too many. But just to donate because you’re poor, that’s different. If you have a great blog and it is to buy a domain or something related I’ll listen, otherwise I’m not.
I posted something similar not all that long ago and got a lot of hate mail as well as ten or so people sending me explanations of why they had a paypal donate on their site. Be prepared.
I can’t wait to see Sin City.
I posted something similar not all that long ago and got a lot of hate mail as well as ten or so people sending me explanations of why they had a paypal donate on their site. Be prepared.
I can’t wait to see Sin City.
I agree! I don’t understand that! Who’s going to donate? It’s just like you’re begging for money. If you want to generate revenue, put up ads. Don’t solicit donations; it’s in poor taste.
I agree! I don’t understand that! Who’s going to donate? It’s just like you’re begging for money. If you want to generate revenue, put up ads. Don’t solicit donations; it’s in poor taste.
I publish (with four others) a site (Rational Review News Digest) which represents many man-hours of work each week and which relies primarily on reader contributions (which in turn constitute a substantial portion of the creators’ incomes), so I’m not unsympathetic to “donate” buttons.
For most blogs — especially for minimal time/effort “personal blowing off steam” journals — it does seem a little out of place, though. I had one on my blog, but eventually just switched to ads.
It would be nice if there was a really effective/efficient micropayment system for “tipping” a few pennies to a really good post (some such systems exist or have existed, but haven’t been quite up to snuff IMO). Occasionally I see something on a blog that makes me think “I’d toss a quarter in the hat if it would help keep this kind of thing coming.” That applies especially to product reviews and the very occasional touching personal story. It’s not so much a matter of the blogger needing to make money from the site as the idea that a few dollars a day might encourage the blogger to keep turning out good stuff.
Regards,
Tom Knapp
I publish (with four others) a site (Rational Review News Digest) which represents many man-hours of work each week and which relies primarily on reader contributions (which in turn constitute a substantial portion of the creators’ incomes), so I’m not unsympathetic to “donate” buttons.
For most blogs — especially for minimal time/effort “personal blowing off steam” journals — it does seem a little out of place, though. I had one on my blog, but eventually just switched to ads.
It would be nice if there was a really effective/efficient micropayment system for “tipping” a few pennies to a really good post (some such systems exist or have existed, but haven’t been quite up to snuff IMO). Occasionally I see something on a blog that makes me think “I’d toss a quarter in the hat if it would help keep this kind of thing coming.” That applies especially to product reviews and the very occasional touching personal story. It’s not so much a matter of the blogger needing to make money from the site as the idea that a few dollars a day might encourage the blogger to keep turning out good stuff.
Regards,
Tom Knapp