8 Comments
⭠ Return to thread

one thing that would be helpful for some of us, especially those who don't want to require a paid subscription or offer paid content, would be a way for readers to offer a one-time donation -- not as a fee or a monthly commitment, but a single contribution in whatever amount they felt comfortable offering. I've seen this request suggested somewhere else but haven't seen where it stands or whether it's being considered. Thank you! This came up when someone who wanted to make a donation to me made it by making a "pledge" because I have paid subscriptions turned off -- now I've turned "pledge" off too. But a way for receiving an occasional contribution would be great.

Expand full comment

You can do that on your own with services like KoFi or PayPal. I use the Custom Button to link to my KoFi account, saying something like, 'Donations welcome' or 'Tip the writer'. It's easy to set up a KoFi account and you're not begging, you're simply reminding your readers that writers need to be paid, too.

Expand full comment

thanks for the suggestions -- a custom button makes sense, though not as tidy as just going thru substack

Expand full comment

I believe you can set it up in your Stripe account 🙂

Expand full comment

Yes this. I use this as well, to offer my readers a way to support me, until my subscriber base is large enough and I feel confident enough in the frequency of the content I can put out there to start offering paid subscriptions. And Substack also uses stripe, so that makes it more convenient.

Expand full comment

Some of us don't like (or aren't good at) figuring out "techie" solutions even if they work.

Much better by our lights if there were a one-time, any-amount donation button.

I can't read everything I want to read: my time is not unlimited.

I can't subscribe to everything I want to read: my funds are not unlimited.

I DO want to say "Thank You" to writers that I can only read occasionally. A nice TY is money.

Right now, I'm going through my subscriptions and -- *sigh* -- cancelling some. (Again, funds and time aren't unlimited.)

I'd like the option of being able occasionally read a man or woman's contribution AND also be able to offer a Thank You with more than words (or likes) for the gift and privilege received.

I suspect many feel the same way.

Expand full comment

I set up a "support" page on my website where folks not interested in a paid subscription but what to support my work. If you'd like to check it out as an example >>> https://jenniferlangille.com/support Which is a squarespace site and it's processed through Stripe and/or PayPal.

Expand full comment

I’ve had writers sign up just for one month, and if you set your sub price to $5 or less, it’s basically what you’re asking for, without having to create a whole new tip system. I think a subscription is a better way to describe this, as you’re both metaphorically and literally subscribing to a writer’s style and POV.

Expand full comment