I ran this idea on one of my other blogs and as it was quite successful, I decided to spin it out over here too.

The idea is this:

I’ve noticed that more and more bloggers are creating a box in their sidebar, or wherever that says something like: “Please donate to buy me a coffee”. Below is the strategically placed PayPal button with it’s metaphorical hand out assuming the begging position.

Well, maybe they spend a lot of time writing their blogs and maybe they even drink a lot of coffee. But to blatantly ask their readers to give them money?

For what?

For time spent writing their bog? I don’t think so!

How about a dose of reality…

People come to your blog to read your articles and posts and assuming they’re good, people will come back to read more. That’s what every good blogger wants and should be working hard to achieve - a regular flow of interested and loyal readers. The reward is in seeing your readership increase to the point where you can then approach advertisers and offer them some space on your blog which they will want to pay you for because you have good readership (traffic) figures.

That’s how magazines work. And a blog is just another form of media to advertisers.

The magazines with the highest readerships (distribution) get to charge the most for their ad space. The same goes for blogs.

So from my point of view, rather than try to sponge off my regular and loyal readers (which I work hard to attract and keep) and frighten them away, isn’t it better to keep them by NOT asking for handouts? Much better to keep people interested, happy and wanting to come back for more by giving them great articles and interesting, informative and entertaining content.

For the sake of maybe losing a few dollars under the guise of buying me a beer or a sandwich or a pork chop even, I’d rather give good value for free. Then get my payback from advertisers later on in the grand scheme of things.

However…

If any reader does feel inclined to want to help this blog financially, I won’t stand in your way. But I won’t accept money for nothing (or even coffee), either.

I do have a rather good eBook that I have written, entitled “The Secrets of SEO Revealed“. I’d be happy to sell a copy to anyone who might have a use for it (that should include everyone with a blog or website). It’s a very reasonable $9.97 and for that price you get a second bonus eBook thrown in for free.

So it’s not a donation in any way shape or form. It’s simply a straight, honest purchase of something tangible and useful.

If you want a copy, you can click HERE to see the sales page and make a purchase (and that would make me really happy).

Terry Didcott
MAKE MONEY