Monetising: Donations
This subject has been on my list of things to sort out for a long time. Finally, I’m getting around to doing something about it.
Let me make one thing clear: I give my writing away for free happily and willingly, and always intend to do so to some extent. In truth, I am reluctant to ask for money on something I am offering for free.
However, there are people who would happily give money if the option was there. For e-book versions, for merchandise, and even just for visiting the website.
The first two of those options involve a lot of work (which is in progress!), but the latter is easy to set up. It’s also the trickiest for me to want to do. It seems cheeky to me! But I’ve come across a few discussions on this topic over the past months and it seems that I’m in the minority in that regard.
It’s not a case of asking for money; it’s giving the option to those who wish to contribute. Some readers like to be able to support the work they enjoy, and some writers like to support their fellow artists. The more I think about it, the more okay I am with that. If I had the funds, I might even do the same myself.
So this week, I bit the bullet and sorted out donations for my websites. It was actually shockingly easy! (Paypal really have made it a painless process – well done you guys!) There’s now a ‘Donate’ button in the sidebar on the Apocalypse Blog, Starwalker, and this site (look right, everyone!). Hopefully unobtrusive and inoffensive.
So, the avenue is now open. I don’t demand or expect anything, and if I’m honest, I’m still a little nervous about the whole thing (will people get annoyed and leave? will they suspect it’s the start of rabid commercialisation?). But let’s see how it goes!
My first step towards making money from the writing I do purely for the joy of it. Next: actually selling things to people! (Uh oh, I feel there’s a slippery slope coming!)
mjkj says:
Uhm, why are the donations in US$? Not in AU$? and the company of Eagle Eye English is this correct? and the provided email is quite different from the one you use here…
Is this really you? or is there a mix-up?
mjkj
July 22nd, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Mel says:
It’s PayPal, and I’m not sure if they are set up for AU$ properly. It didn’t want me to do it in anything except US$!
The account is one I’ve had for ages. Eagle Eye English is right – it’s from a business I almost set up once. stabbity is a domain I’ve had forever, too, but don’t use much except for email.
It is me! Sorry for the confusion. 🙂 One day I’ll sort out another Paypal account with more current info.
July 22nd, 2011 at 10:29 pm
mjkj says:
Thanks *is relieved* 🙂
Well, usually you can set up any currency you like – I have enabled mine for Euros, AU$ and US$ – but I do not know if donations are US$ only…
mjkj
July 23rd, 2011 at 2:57 am
Mel says:
I’ll poke at it some more and see what I can do! 🙂
July 23rd, 2011 at 10:25 am