Often times on blogs, you see those PayPal buttons that say “Donate”, followed by a little blurb that usually says something like, “Blogging is hard work. Donate to keep this blog running.”
I understand why people use them on their blogs. First of all, it’s easy to stick one on your blog. Secondly, there’s this mentality that if someone comes and reads something awesome on your blog, they’ll just be so overwhelmed with gratitude that they’ll drop a buck in your PayPal. If you’ve been blogging for a little while, you know that’s not usually how it works and how you want it go. I don’t use the donate buttons, and here’s why.
My readers “donate” to me in a lot of other ways.
My readers give back to me in a lot of different ways. They’re reading my content when they could be reading someone else’s. That’s huge! They’re taking the time to comment and send me emails with their ideas, which then continue to spur on my post ideas and content. They’re recommending me to family and friends. And, let’s not forget, my readers buy the products I put out because they know they’re of quality.
Wanting someone to click your donate button is the total wrong way of thinking.
When you think like that, you’re thinking in a direct dollars and cents mentality when it comes to your blog. Sometimes “donating” is in the form of exposure and opportunities.
I don’t want to upsell into a donation. I want to upsell into one of my products.
If your readers like your work, wouldn’t you rather have a product out there for them to purchase, rather than leave them to their own devices to judge how much you’re worth? Think sales funnel.
Donate buttons don’t work, and they’re not a blog monetization strategy.
Enough said.
I’ve never clicked the donate button on someone’s blog before. I think that if the person thinks that they are worth donations, then they think they’re a good blogger. And good bloggers know how to create and promote products to offer their readers. Think outside the box and the rewards will be much larger.
Your thoughts? Have you ever had success with a donate button?
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