Blog Minx

The blogging beerophiles may be clinking virtual glasses over the clever new donation plugin that comes in a ‘buy me a beer‘ guise, but I will NOT be buying you all a beer, sorry. You shouldn’t drink and blog. Or at least show some ID first.

But it does raise a good question: is asking for an online donation just cyber-begging? I’ve never tried it, although I don’t have anything against it; I once donated $30 via PayPal to a blogger who kept me entertained on a daily basis for free. But that was in 2004, before monetizing a blog with text ads etc. was a common thing. These days isn’t visiting, leaving comments, ad-clicking (if genuine) and purchase of products or sign-ups via someone else’s blog already a form of payment if it’s contributing to their monthly earnings? Just a thought.

If you’re a committed cyber-beggar who wants to go further than the beer plug-in, you can visit this site and set up your own page asking the general population for donations. Scanning the member pages, it’s pretty heart-rending stuff: veterans, orphans, the disabled, star-crossed lovers. But there is also the guy who just wants a new car.

What is the difference between asking for a donation and begging? Is it purely semantics? Homeless people beg on the streets. Charities ask for a donation. What is the difference, really, apart from the fact that ‘donation’ implies your money’s being better spent?

Of course, if you’re regularly reading a blog then you’ll know the quality of service and information that blog provides, and you may want to show your appreciation. Some people ask the blogger if they can donate. But how much is the right amount? Consider that an annual magazine subscription may cost $40-$50, but we read blogs on a daily basis, maybe more than that if they post more often.

Thoughts on the back of an envelope, please.

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