I ask this because I don’t really understand it, not because I’m questioning the ethics or etiquette:
Why do some weblogs ask for donations?
It seems that with free services available, or the relative inexpensive cost of even more elaborate services, there should be no real crunching overhead to running a weblog. Is it because some are paying for domain names?
Honest, I ask in all innocence. Anyone know?
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
I’ve done it, I confess. The principle is “keep some bait in the water at all times. You might actually catch something.”
I actually did get a $5 contribution, from someone who used something I wrote in her paper for English class.
Why do it? Why not? In theory, I think writers should be compensated for their efforts, if people enjoy them. When I hear someone playing the guitar in a subway station, I usually give them a quarter. Admittedly, it wouild make more sense if such micro-payments were possible through PayPal.
Here’s the logic, it’s twofold:
1. If a site is very popular, broadband prices are going to go up, and before long things can get expensive. This isn’t the case for most people.
2. They feel that they are providing a service and that if you agree, it would be kind of you to provide recompense.
Personally, I’m dirt poor, and could use the money, but I think it’s a little ‘tacky’ to put a tip jar on the page, at least in any way I could think of doing, but I understand the logic.
Thanks guys, I just thought there was something I missed about costs, etc. I don’t find it offensive, and I don’t blame those who do it, but I ain’t rich but often felt like donating if someone really needed the money. Now I don’t feel obligated because it’s not like it’s the blog and bankruptcy. I certainly understand the desire to be compensated for all the work. It’s almost like handing out freebies of a product that you’ve made.
Ben, have you checked with your local newpapers about freelancing or regular paid articles? Writing doesn’t pay well, but that would certainly help.
I think MG has a good point: writing is work. And there are many freeloaders.
I’ve sometimes had a problem with copyright thieves. Of course, they don’t call themselves thieves. They pick up material from my website and carry it off to their own. “But you should be flattered,” goes the line. Or they call ~me~ rude for saying “Ask my permission first.”
I’m probably one of a handful of bloggers who doesn’t have a job. (I’m a domestic parasite.) I don’t make much of a fuss about that, but I do include Amazon.com links at all my sites and am I not one to look down at a donation when it is proferred. I don’t know why I don’t promote myself more. I just like to write. When you write for others, your writing starts to be their writing, not yours. I have problems enough getting into the heads of characters without adding to that the problem of getting into the head of editors and readers.
So I write what I like. If you want to buy a book through my site or give me a small donation, I will be obliged.